Okay guys, I'm brand new to the forum and this is my first post. I'm hoping I can get some valuable input on a question I've been having. The time has come to pick the power plant for my 74 z/28 type lt. It currently has a manual 4 speed in it and everything else is bone stock as far as I know. What I want to know is

a) What is your preference on BBC vs SBC?
b) Why is that?
c) What do you think are the advantages/disadvantages?
d) If i were to swap to a big block, does it take very much to convert?

The car was originally a small block car, and I'm not worried about numbers not matching. THIS WILL NOT BE MY DAILY DRIVER. I'm probably going to slap some 456 gears in the rear and take it out maybe a couple nights a week and tear up some ****stangs. Gas mileage isn't of huge importance, but if I can squeeze out a few more mpg's I'm not gonna complain. I realize big blocks make more torque naturally than smalls, but I think I want a good balance in tq/hp numbers. I still want it to be streetable within city limits, this car probably won't see much highway if any at all.

 

I LOOOVE the 502, why? cause the bigger the better, more tq is always a good thing. But in your situation id go 350 or 454, 350 for a real balance amd an easy to work on cheap motor, 454 for a terrific base if you ever decide to beef it to the max. and on a 78 i doubt you have to change really anything.

 

I was debating either making a 383 stroker or getting a 454. Either way with a pretty heavy cam. Has anyone had any luck or input on forced induction with either of these? Also from what I've researched, 454's don't produce very impressive power ratings stock.. what would need to be done to fix this?

 

The power is there, it has to be unlocked, no smog stuff free flowing intake and exhaust, good tune up and you should be golden if you want a powerful stock motor. Also 454s are some of the best sounding motors ever. My family has a camper with an all stock one and it will rip that thing around on a 2speed plus overdrive(3speed) auto trannsmission
A 40 foot long one mind you, not a little camper truck

 

Also no offence forced just isnt the way to go with big v8s untill you want huge power. Bolt ons ftw, and with a BIG cam in there that motor will be ripping and roaring(litterally)

 

It depends on how much money you plan on putting into this engine. Big block parts are more expensive than small block parts. Personally, I've don't have any experience with big blocks. The car was originally equipped with a small block, so I would go with a small block 383. Thats just me, it depends on how much money you want to spend.

 

Money isn't a huge issue, I'm probably planning on spending a couple grand, maybe 2500 on parts and that should do a pretty well rounded job. I've never worked on a big block before, only rebuilt a couple 350's. Should I have someone spec out what parts I should use? I've never actually blueprinted a motor myself, and I know people with money have professionals build their motors, but I don't really want to go that route.

 

I would build the engine. Building a big block will cost more than $2,500 though. How much power do you want out of the engine?

 

well I think something in the 450 hp range would be about ideal, 500 if possible? I know 500 hp for a 383 is a pretty high demand of power, and like i stated earlier I am not very familiar with big blocks and their potential. How much do you think building a bbc would run me?

 

Like I said, I don't have any real experience with BBC's. My guess would be roughly about $5,000. I say do a lot of research on BBC parts and research builds that are proven to produce 500 horsepower.