big block vs. smal block

Where did this $3500 figure come from? Is that how much more a big block install costs more than a small block install? I can't think of anything in a big block conversion that costs more than a small block. I have two small block darts, and one big block B-body. I've owned four 440 B-bodies, and I've driven a friends 440 Dart, and the big blocks were and are more fun for me to drive, even in the heavier cars. The 440 Dart was really a blast. Big blocks have bigger heads, and aftermarket heads just get bigger. It's harder to get things bigger on a small block platform, and that's where the power comes from. One HP per CI is pretty tame. This would get you 318HP from a 318, 408 from a stroker small block, and 512HP from a stroker big block, but with more torque than if you got the same HP from a small block.

Here's a post I wrote on weight reduction:

Part....................Weight savings
aluminum heads..........58#
intake..................25#
water pump & housing....15#
headers.................25#
Total savings:..........123#

Manual steering is 37# lighter than power, and a 727 is 75# lighter than an A-833, and who knows how much A/C weighs. Small blocks weigh the same as a slant 6, and the B motors are 95# more than that, so a manual slant 6 or small block with power steering and A/C (guess 60# for that) can weigh 200# more than a 383 or 528 A/T, mostly all up front. You can always move the battery to the trunk, too, so there is no reason to insist big block A-bodies are nose heavy boats handling wise. You could lighten a small block too, of course, but that's not the point, and I'm biased, so ignore that.