So you want 2 go Big block...Read this first!
$500-$2000 for big block engine ( $500 for a barely running stock 2 brl $2000 for a rebuilt with 4 brl,and other goodies) Your not guna want a 2 brl intake on it anyways, so even a stock motor and a purchase of a 4 brl intack and carb to bolt on will still cost around $1000 small blocks aren't too much cheaper. there are deals out there for any motor though.
$180 for schumacker motor mounts same if your going to a small block using a 6 cyl. k-frame.,
$200 for headers, or exhaust manifolds that price is way too low.
$230 for 3 inch exhaust and muflers seems awlful cheap to me. is needed with small block or big block. and does your combo really need 3" ??
$350 for auto tranny and drive shaft shortening ok price could be close. but that sure isn't a rebuilt trans
$1700-$2500 for big block bell housing, A body tranny, Clutch, Clutch linkage, and shifter, and shifter linkage ok, i never priced that stuff, but small block wouldn't be any cheaper i wouldn't think.
$300 for aluminum rad not really needed. but if your going from a 6cyl then a small block is gonna need a rad also.
$500 for Disc brake conversion to do it right that sounds on the cheaper side. again you would want disc brakes even with a small block.
$1000 for 8 3/4 rear end would want a 8 3/4 even with a small block
$500 for nickel and dimeing stuff ( filters, hoses, oil, spark pugs/wires, other fluids etc etc) same for whatever motor you put in it.
basically it only cost a minimal more to do a big block in an abody over a small block. now if you start with a small block car you can definatley save with not needing mounts and stuff like that but all in all they are real close to the same price if starting with a 6 cyl. car.
are there exceptions to every rule? sure there is. but it comes down to like adam says. if your gonna do it right its gonna cost ya.
hell i probably have close to $1100 into putting my tempory used engine in my dart including buying the motor and trans a few years ago. i reused my intake,carb,headders,water pump, dizzy and wires, rad, and trans. had a friend give me a new rebuilt stock converter and put new hoses, gaskets,timing chain and oil pump on the motor. those lil things add up fast.
Where I am, you can't find a 440 for a rebuild for under $500. You might get a runner for $1000, but you will have to change the intake to 4 brl, and get a carb, and you might have to track down brackets too. you can get a complete one for $1500, and with better pats for $2000 and up
You can get a running 2 brl 360 for $300 here, and a built one for $500-$1000. there is a big difference in prices here.
I think we can all agree that if you want to use Better exhaust parts it will cost more...but you CAN do it for the prices mentioned above.
I'm not an auto guy, so my auto trans price is prob a bit off. all my cars are 4 spds.
You have to buy BB specific 4 spd parts, but SB 4 spd parts are plenty. ( talking about clutch linkage. but other than that, price are some what simular. But we are compareing AUTO's to Auto's right now.
I would say an aluminum Rad is NEEDED for BB build. You won't over heat. You can buy a used SB rad for $40, or get a brand new SB rad for $180. ( that is for a pretty cheap aluminum rad. most are more.
You don't need discs for SB. Though I highly recomend it reguardless of your build, I think it is mpore important for a BB build than a SB build. lots of cars cam stock wit SB and manula 4 wheel drums.
you may want a 8 3/4 rear for a SB, but if you are just going to through in a $500 SB engine, you can get away without for a long while. but any BB will need a stronger diff. difference between needs and wants
the $500 nickel and dime stuff is different if you compar my cheaper SB build and the BB build because you do not have to change the brakes or diff with my SB build. and I think the $500 nickel and dime stuff is loww too for the BB build
you don't need 3 inch, but for $50 ,more, why not if you are doing a BB. You may rebuild the 440 in the future, and than want bigger exhaust...just do it now. you can handle 2.5 with a SB for a LONG time.
I still disagree in a big way that they costs are the same, or minimally different. if you compare
two simular bare bones builds...one BB, and one SB,
you will NEED alot more extra things with a BB, that a
SB won't need
does anyone see where I am coming from?
Phil