big block vs small block

[jleinaweaver]

What differentiates a big block v8 to a small block v8?

[Sax1031]

hard to define a simple answer.

mainly it was size, and not in Cubic Inches

[SleepWarz]

Generally BB's have more TQ way earlier, whereas smallblocks use higher revs to achieve power.

[mrray13]

Originally Posted by Sax1031

hard to define a simple answer.

mainly it was size, and not in Cubic Inches

It was mainly based on the distance between the bores of opposing cylinders.

[chevyss]

No replacement for displacement. There is nothing like a BBC. They have so much torque. My 70 Monte has a GMPP deluxe 502 in it and it is wild. 502hp at 4800 and 567 torque. Over the years I've owned so many BBC and very few SBC engine. It's hard to beat.

[Whiskey Tango Foxtrot]

Back in the day they were the king shit of engines. Now for street cars they are dinosaur tech as the lsx blocks have taken over. GM just stopped producing them.

[THE EVIL TW1N]

Originally Posted by chevyss

No replacement for displacement. There is nothing like a BBC. They have so much torque. My 70 Monte has a GMPP deluxe 502 in it and it is wild. 502hp at 4800 and 567 torque. Over the years I've owned so many BBC and very few SBC engine. It's hard to beat.

BBC is hard to beat.... unless you have a BBF!



This is the built 533 ci BBF I have in my 68 Galaxie. 502 rwhp / 545 rwtq on a mustang dyno through a 9" rear end and a C6 transmission. The HP was still going up at 5600 rpm when the tuner let go. The cam and bottom end will go to 6500-6600 rpm no problem.

[SleepWarz]

Hell yeah BBF.

[ron10]

i'de be happy with a 572.

[DGthe3]

Originally Posted by jleinaweaver

What differentiates a big block v8 to a small block v8?

The bore spacing (4.84" vs 4.4" for Chevy) and deck height (9.78" vs 9.025"). This allows for bigger cylinder bore and longer stroke. While small blocks can exceed 7.5L (454 cu) and big blocks could be under 6.5L (396 cu), these maxed out small blocks often have problems related to cooling or structural strength (very important for forced induction engines) while a big block of similar displacement doesn't have these problems, though it will weigh more and be a little longer and taller.

[Stingr69]

All the small block Chevy engines are based off the same architecture. A 283 small block looks the same from the outside physically as a 400 small block. The castings are machined somewhat differently internally for different displacements and they all have many common parts between them.

The big blocks are all based on different architecture (clean sheet of paper) and they do not share parts with small blocks for the most part. They are physicaly larger and heavier than small blocks externally. A 396 big block looks the same as a 454 big block from the outside. Distributors will interchange and maybe some small parts but other than that, the big block family of engines are completely different from the small block family of engines.

There is also a "W" block from way back in the early 60's. Completely different design. It looks VERY different due to the scalloped "W" shaped valve covers. Used for the famous "409" engine and some smaller displacements. Originally a truck engine design, they were hopped up by GM to be used in high performance car engines back before the big block design was completed.

Bottom line - small blocks are a completely different engine family from a big block.

-Mark.

[yota924x4]

guess since we are sharing bbc photos i'll contribute



and as far as big block fords go there is a dude around here with a falcon that has a 427sohc in it, and thats one mean booger

[firengnred]

BBC is hard to beat.... unless you have a BBF!

[SSRich]

Originally Posted by firengnred

agreed lol

then why do most old fords or foxbody mustang have chevy engines in them bc u can get more hp and torque out of a chevy.