At a crossroads, SB guys please chime in.

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MidTexCuda

MidTexCuda

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Building a stupid street car.
I currently have the car mocked up for a 400 bb with middle of the road heads, medium sized procharger, and lenco four speed. And now thinking about maybe doing a small block instead.
I have weighed every part i have and need to finishes and at road weight with a 15 gallon cell full and me i will be about 2550lbs. drop 100 to go track.
SO
What am i looking at block and head wise to make a small block do the same?
tell me a sb that will do 1k hp and heads
 
While it is not impossible to make 1,000 HP with a super charger and a small block, I see this change of direction a waste of time and money while delaying your project from hitting the road anytime soon or as soon as it should have.
It'll be easier with the big block.
Victor heads, intake, with a stroker kit & jumbo headers.
 
thanks rumble thats what i wanted to know.
I was wondering because a stock 400 block will only take so much hp. Would something like a r3 take more?
Both BB and SB heads seam to flow close until you get to 4.5 bore BB stuff and then your into another block any way. Plus the cubes are close at 450 something to 500 and change.
Didnt know if SB would weigh enough less or cost the same. either one would only need to make 700 hp off boost and be able to do 14 to 20lbs on boost.
So in short which block would fair better (r3 ect. or stock 400- both done right) , how close would heads be, and would it save enough weight?
 
gen3 hemi and you will be set on your power goals. r3 tough to find and the b blocks are good to 1200 of so with good caps.
 
i heard gen 3 heads are ok but lift issues and the blocks are weak.
I know very little about sb so thats why i was asking.
why is a r3 hard to find? summit and jegs has them and they are half the price of an aluminum bb that---btw that opens other more expensive doors
 
If I were looking at 1K boosted hp I'd be looking for a Indy or other aftermarket big block. Yes it could be done with a small block but would much easier with more inches in a BB. Just my .02.
 
MidTexCuda said:
i heard gen 3 heads are ok but lift issues and the blocks are weak.
I know very little about sb so thats why i was asking.
why is a r3 hard to find? summit and jegs has them and they are half the price of an aluminum bb that---btw that opens other more expensive doors
Click to expand...

Call Jegs or Summit and see if they are in stock. Good luck.
 
tdy
MidTexCuda said:
could call but if amazon has them i think there are gettable
Amazon.com: Mopar P4876381AB Race Block: Automotive
Click to expand...

try placing that order and see how that works out for ya.


gen3 blocks are quite strong and there is an aftermarket alum not from mopar that is available. as well as 500cfm billet victory heads to boot.
but no lifting issues is not a thing any more. good quality fastners will now keep them sealed just fine. im currently wrapping up a 1500hp build myself with a 5.7
 
MidTexCuda said:
thanks rumble thats what i wanted to know.
I was wondering because a stock 400 block will only take so much hp. Would something like a r3 take more?
Both BB and SB heads seam to flow close until you get to 4.5 bore BB stuff and then your into another block any way. Plus the cubes are close at 450 something to 500 and change.
Didnt know if SB would weigh enough less or cost the same. either one would only need to make 700 hp off boost and be able to do 14 to 20lbs on boost.
So in short which block would fair better (r3 ect. or stock 400- both done right) , how close would heads be, and would it save enough weight?
Click to expand...
Well, a lot depends what n the head being used. A race block, if found, because there not being made any more and there drying up fast, or more accurately, they are dried up, may possibly only be found in a 48* taller angle instead of the production 59*. While the 48* angle is better for racing, the cost of a cam core is ALOT! And then you have to send it Out to be ground.
The weight savings between the block family is about 100lbs. But you could make the power up easy with a big block.
Stoking a 400 to 500 is easy. Taking a standard block beyond 440 cubes is hard.
 
Great information!
I didn't know small blocks were dried up.
That's a sad thing.
I guess staying with a bb is my best option.
Thanks for all the great input.
 
The short deck version R3's are around and can be found in 48 and 59 deg. They will handle 1000hp easy. Now for the hard part. They are not cheap or easy builds for the average Joe. If you go that route I have a short deck boosted rotating assembly I'd be willing to let go. Currently building a new N/A engine with maybe a wee 250 shot or so...
 
Remember the short deck blocks will require a short deck intake, which should not be a problem to get.
Key word, "should."
Be careful of the cam tunnel. They come in various sizes.
 
An R3 with W8 or W9 heads and boost can get you well past 1000hp lol. But that's a very expensive and labor intensive build and also a personal dream of mine.
 
My R1 is supposed to be 60# heavier than a production block, should put it around 230#.
 
230lbs. sounds about right. W8 heads are not light weight pieces either. In building a 1000+ hp boosted engine saving weight in the engine is not the place I would be looking to save IMO. An R3 block and w8 heads are stout pieces and will live long and happy lives in a boosted application. Also a reminder that they are not cheap and easy builds for the timid or mechanically limited. They also came with many built in issues to overcome as rumble stated. Do some research and homework and make a educated informed decision and go for what your wallet and ability will afford. Good luck in whichever way your build takes you.
 
P4876381AB..... none in any Chrysler warehouses, but thanks for playing.

HOWEVER.... there is one listed in "vintage parts", and it shows one at a dealer in PA.
 
I would go aluminium big block, I helped move a R3 tall block on the weekend and it is around 235 lbs or around 100 more than a big block Aluminum block.
Saying that the guy is shooting for 1600hp with the R3.
 
I'm a small block fan all the way! If i was in your shoes, i would continue on the BB path.
 
67autocross said:
I would go aluminium big block, I helped move a R3 tall block on the weekend and it is around 235 lbs or around 100 more than a big block Aluminum block.
Saying that the guy is shooting for 1600hp with the R3.
Click to expand...
I have asked this question a few times in some of these discussions over the yrs,. where and who still makes an aluminum r/b wedge ???????????? thinking their non existant know--extinct !
 
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