What makes an engine a 'big block'?

[Sax1031]

Generally it was the physical size of the block.

[fielderLS3]

Originally Posted by Jicata

Cubic Inches.
Both my cars are small blocks.
Camaro = 376
Mustang = 305

Pretty sure the new 5.0 in the Mustang is 302 cubic inches (actually a 4.951L engine)

Originally Posted by helmincamaro

idk about you... but this is what I call a big block:




710 cubic inches per cylinder (20 cylinders).... so roughly a 14,200 cubic inch engine, oh and they come with single or twin turbos and push 6,000hp at around 950rpms. Just as a reference, I'm 6'-2" and if I'm standing with my feet level with the bottom of the oil pan.... I'd need a step stool to look eye level at the valve covers. Don't think about trying to fit it under your hood, it weighs over 16 tons.

So...about 30,000+ lb-ft of torque? Call I can say is .

Originally Posted by DGthe3

They are, but its not because there is some new 'medium block' being used. There are no longer any big blocks being built by GM, and I assume Ford and Chrysler have stopped as well. They still make big block crate engines, but nothing comes from the factory with them anymore. Everything is based off small block architecture.

Ford actually had 3 different V8 blocks (all of which are defunct now). I think they only used 2 of them by the 90s. The modulars replaced both (with the 4.6L and 5.4L replacing the small block Fords, and the 6.8L V10 replacing the 460 in the super duty F-series trucks). I think 1998 was the last year for the 460 big block, and 2000 was the last year of the 302 small block. Anyone know for sure???

Not sure about the Chrysler engines. I don't think the new hemi shares anything with any of the older Chrysler engines. Anyone know what the Viper's V10 was derived from?

[DGthe3]

Originally Posted by fielderLS3

Not sure about the Chrysler engines. I don't think the new hemi shares anything with any of the older Chrysler engines. Anyone know what the Viper's V10 was derived from?

I would guess its loosely based on a small block, but I have nothing to back that up with. I do know Lamborghini was involved in its development.

[helmincamaro]

Originally Posted by fielderLS3

So...about 30,000+ lb-ft of torque? Call I can say is .

lol, you can see one of the turbo's on the back of the engine (HUGE!).... I saw one of those blow a turbo one night. It sounded like a bomb going off and probably 20 foot flames shot out of the stack.... it was a sight to see for sure!

[Sax1031]

Originally Posted by helmincamaro

lol, you can see one of the turbo's on the back of the engine (HUGE!).... I saw one of those blow a turbo one night. It sounded like a bomb going off and probably 20 foot flames shot out of the stack.... it was a sight to see for sure!

wow

[helmincamaro]

Originally Posted by Sax1031

wow

lol, wanna see what happens when a fuel injector sticks on turbo V16 diesel?

[Sax1031]

Originally Posted by helmincamaro

lol, wanna see what happens when a fuel injector sticks on turbo V16 diesel?

[helmincamaro]

Originally Posted by Sax1031

lol, what's fun is when it does it at night . I always wish I had a really long coat hanger and a bag of marshmellows..

[fielderLS3]

Originally Posted by helmincamaro

lol, what's fun is when it does it at night . I always wish I had a really long coat hanger and a bag of marshmellows..

That would be an amazing site. A little too much soot for the marshmellows, though.

[helmincamaro]

Originally Posted by fielderLS3

That would be an amazing site. A little too much soot for the marshmellows, though.

yeah, that oil is high in trans fat I believe.....

[shank0668]

Originally Posted by helmincamaro

idk about you... but this is what I call a big block:




710 cubic inches per cylinder (20 cylinders).... so roughly a 14,200 cubic inch engine, oh and they come with single or twin turbos and push 6,000hp at around 950rpms. Just as a reference, I'm 6'-2" and if I'm standing with my feet level with the bottom of the oil pan.... I'd need a step stool to look eye level at the valve covers. Don't think about trying to fit it under your hood, it weighs over 16 tons.

lol


108,920 hp at 102 rpm
5,608,312 lb/ft at 102rpm
Each cylinder displaces 111,143 cubic inches (1820 liters) and produces 7780 horsepower. Total displacement comes out to 1,556,002 cubic inches (25,480 liters) for the fourteen cylinder version.
89 feet long, 44 feet wide

[AZCamaroFan]

i wonder why they had the bigger blocks in the old days. did they not think it was safe to bore out the smaller blocks? Eventually Chevrolet got it to 400ci. Today the LS block is aluminum, and i think it's an even smaller block than the original , isn't it?

[DGthe3]

Originally Posted by AZCamaroFan

i wonder why they had the bigger blocks in the old days. did they not think it was safe to bore out the smaller blocks? Eventually Chevrolet got it to 400ci. Today the LS block is aluminum, and i think it's an even smaller block than the original , isn't it?

Really large bore small blocks had cooling issues, which led to other restrictions on their output. Meanwhile the big blocks of the same displacement (or larger) didn't have the problems so they could run stronger and longer.

"It's been said there are 3 constants in this world: death, taxes, and 4.4" bore spacing on Chevy Small Blocks"

[LOWDOWN]

Big Blocks...Chev 348/409 and 366-493, Ford FEs (332-428) and 385s (429-460), Chrysler 361-440...were originally developed for BIG cars and Lt/Md TRUCKS...more torque to move heavy loads... Their eventual appearance as "racy" motors was secondary to their big-torque benefits, as stated.