small block or big block?

[A05C]

ive been debating for a while on whati actually want to do with over this winter. i have a small block that i was thinking about going and putting a rotating assembly in it and reving out to about 7-7500ish or going with the big block i have sitting here at the shop.

big block would be a piston/rod motor for nitrous with a set of stock ported heads with bigger valves and valvetrain. a victor jr on top with a 750 holly ontop and a decent cam.

small block would prolly be a 331 with a victor jr and holly on top.

i have a built C4 that im going to be putting a t-brake in and have a built rear end so launching isnt a problem.

i tossed around the idea of putting a manual trans in the car for the small block but would definately keep the auto in the car to go with the big block.

im solely looking for outside opinions and advice or comments wont go unnoticed.

Thanks
Andrew

[85_SS_302_Coupe]

I'm not a big fan of big blocks. With all that power comes a lot more weight and it takes more tinkering to get it to hook when it's that nose heavy. Parts are also more expensive. If i had the cash i'd get a Man-O-War block and stroke it to 460ci and have a big block in a small block package.

[zlou363lx]

what do you want it for? strictly track or something (somewhat)street?

[A05C]

its basically becoming a strip car that will rarely see some street time.

[Rick93coupe]

Big cube smallblock. If I had the money to do it right, and I'm trying to scheme a way to do it. Buy an aluminum windsor (9.5") block and stroke the piss out of it. You get big block power with the weight of a 302 based engine.

[mustangboy]

I'm not a big fan of big blocks. With all that power comes a lot more weight and it takes more tinkering to get it to hook when it's that nose heavy. Parts are also more expensive. If i had the cash i'd get a Man-O-War block and stroke it to 460ci and have a big block in a small block package.


Yeah but the kicker on going that avenue is the fact that you could build a stock block, crank and rods big block using a healthy cam ported stock heads, aftermarket pistons and the right intake and exhaust combo and make an easy 500-600hp for what it would cost you to buy the Man O war block. Also an aftermarket block weighs about the same as a big block block. Hands down the cheapest way to big reliable horsepower is a big block. Probably not the best way to go for a handling car but for a fun cruiser or strip car definately worth investigating. If you wanna go real cheap and still make good power a 351 is hard to beat

[A05C]

Yeah but the kicker on going that avenue is the fact that you could build a stock block, crank and rods big block using a healthy cam ported stock heads, aftermarket pistons and the right intake and exhaust combo and make an easy 500-600hp for what it would cost you to buy the Man O war block. Also an aftermarket block weighs about the same as a big block block. Hands down the cheapest way to big reliable horsepower is a big block. Probably not the best way to go for a handling car but for a fun cruiser or strip car definately worth investigating. If you wanna go real cheap and still make good power a 351 is hard to beat

thats the primary reason i want to go big block

[A05C]

my biggest thing is using the stock heads and figuring out which cam to go with after i choose a piston and piston type/design

the biggest thing i cant afford with the BB is the aluminum heads. iplan on going with the stock heads that im going to have ported and flowed w/ bigger valves

[mustangboy]

Go to 460ford.com, you will find all you need to know there.

[A05C]

Go to 460ford.com, you will find all you need to know there.

thats where i've been for a while.

[Stangman]

Probably not the best way to go for a handling car but for a fun cruiser or strip car definately worth investigating.

I'll agree with that:bigthumb

... or you could even say "sleeper" :evilgrin:

[A05C]

im not worried about turning really.. thats why it has no sway bars and its gutted and getting ready for the 6point cage. its more on the lines of a straight line car thats going to see street once in a while

[85_SS_302_Coupe]

Well, i see the point about cost....so i guess for me i would opt for at least a 410ci stock block Windsor vs. a 460ci big block. I think with the right internals and supporting parts you could easily make that 500hp...maybe not as much torque but that's where the weight advantage would come into play. In the end it would be easier to make hook too.

[Timido]

a 400+cid windsor will make some torque. Figure 1.5hp per CID is pretty easy to optain with decent heads intake cam and carb. The bigger you go the more expensive the heads and valve train cost. My 408 made 600hp with port matched Vic jr heads.

[mustangboy]

Yeah Tim your motor is a great example of a simple combo that makes great power. But to build yours from scratch you would easily be in $5-6k

[Da Natti]

I say go with what, you want small block or big block! Both would be a blast! I perfer small blocks cause the parts a readly avalible! Is your C4 a big block version is that why you want a stick if you go small block?

[A05C]

im picking up a bell housingto fit the big block. its a built C4 with hardended input shaft and output shafts, PA planetary, new clutches and other stuff.

around here there's alot of 5.0's and i just want to be different and go a route that alot of people around here wont do.

[Stangman]

around here there's alot of 5.0's and i just want to be different and go a route that alot of people around here wont do.

I hear ya on that one:bigthumb

So is it a coupe car or a hatch?

[A05C]

the car is a stripped down 1980 coupe. no interior minus my kirkey seat and a soon to be aluminum dash and door panels. im getting a good deal on a pair of fiberglass doors that need to be painted (not a problem for me)


i'de like to trade me friend for his 89 notch that he has sitting and is looking for trades but he wants more than i want to spend right now (money out of my motor fund)

[outlaw85]

There's no substitute for cubic inch is all you need to know
well there is one (cubic dollars)
Good Luck with the build!

[Stangman]

the car is a stripped down 1980 coupe.

Sweet! Now that you mention it, i think i remember seeing pictures of it. I've got an '85 coupe that I plan to make a big block street car out of.

4-eyed coupes rock! :rockon:

[A05C]

here's an older pic before i put the rear end back together with the small block in it and the new welds on it
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z18/a05c/Picture143-1.jpg

and here's the big block thats sitting.... waiting
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z18/a05c/Picture144-1.jpg

[Timido]

After running the 408 in my car. I would say you would not go wrong with either big or big small block. But a 331 can be built for the same price as a 408 I would build the 351 bassed stroker over the 331. I have had evil thoughts about a Big block with some Big Trick Flow heads on a little hit of nitrous.

[85_SS_302_Coupe]

There's no substitute for cubic inch is all you need to know
well there is one (cubic dollars)
Good Luck with the build!


I can't say i fully agree with that statement anymore....with enough boost you can make power with 50ci.

(yes i know, with twice the cubes you'll make more power...but still, if X amount of power is your goal, cubic inches isn't necessarily the only or best way to get it)

[A05C]

i dont want to have to go and buy a ~1500 boss 302 block to be able to make the same amount of power i can on stock 460 block.

i may have more money in a few parts IE: heads, but i think in the long run... a 545 on some spray shouldnt be too bad after i get the rear suspension all done later down the road. i was at the local track a few months ago and i saw a 466 notchback run in the bottem 11's-high 10's all day on stock suspension. so im not rushing to do my suspension yet (yes i know every car is different)

[Timido]

There are so many ways to get where you are going. 10-11 second cars can be built every day with stock 302-351-460 blocks.

I think you will surpise alot of people including yourself.

[A05C]

I think you will surpise alot of people including yourself.

Thats what im hoping to do