SB vs BB who wins?

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+100 HP? That's a lot. If that's all coming from Headflow then the heads would really have to be a whole lot better. I mean, we're talking better than 50 cfm right?

Heck you can pick up 70cfm in a small block Edelbrock head.
 
What got your panties in a wad? Sheesh.

One sided would be a 512 up against a 408. That would be the most retarded question ever.
Nuthin. How bout this? How bout limit the stroke to 4" for the small block and 3.75 for the big block? That way, we can use the factory cranks in the low or raised deck. Isn't that a little more fair? That does limit the big block to factory only stroke, where the small block gets whatever you want.
 
It’s actually pathetic to watch at times. Guys are shocked I have a small block and often say wholly crap so n so has a 512 cubic inch engine and runs 10.70’s. A few guys mentioned about the best head wins and they are totally wrong. The best “combination” usually wins. And notice I said usually.
I see both sides of that argument though. The guy with the 512 runnin 10.70s, while he can go a LOT quicker, he's running much less stress on everything.
 
I think John said it best. The one with the best combination usually wins. I have been around drag racing for a long time.
I have seen big and small blocks run really well and I have seen big and small blocks run badly. People forget that it takes more than an engine to make a car run well.
Transmission torque converters for instance can make or break a combo. Then there is suspension if it poorly designed it can really kill your combination.
I would take a well thought out combination any day over a big horse powered motor. Big horsepower takes a lot more planning in my opinion the combination has to be done correctly if not what is the point of making all that horsepower.
 
John, you've been going nines or better for forty years. Think you might have an advantage over the guy that put his pump gas 500 together for the first time last week, or month, or year? Lol.

... and I can buy a crate big block that'll put my junk in the eights. Too bad it's a chevy. And I have NO desire to go that fast.
 
John, you've been going nines or better for forty years. Think you might have an advantage over the guy that put his pump gas 500 together for the first time last week, or month, or year? Lol.

... and I can buy a crate big block that'll put my junk in the eights. Too bad it's a chevy. And I have NO desire to go that fast.

Almost Every one has been with a different car and combination. That’s why I usually preach if you want to run 8’s and quicker build a big block. Not saying a small block can’t do it but the costs of that small block go up bigtime.
 
Nuthin. How bout this? How bout limit the stroke to 4" for the small block and 3.75 for the big block? That way, we can use the factory cranks in the low or raised deck. Isn't that a little more fair? That does limit the big block to factory only stroke, where the small block gets whatever you want.
Think he's trying to compare cid in different b/s/r ratios so 408 vs 400, he did give a 413 as an option 3.75 crank and still a better size.
 
Think he's trying to compare cid in different b/s/r ratios so 408 vs 400, he did give a 413 as an option 3.75 crank and still a better size.
Yep, but the 413 has a tiny bore, and more weight than a low deck. For relatively the same displacement, the 400 is a much better choice.
Now, if you have a 413 block you can bore .165 over.....?
413, better low end torque, sure, but rpm makes better torque and power on the big end.
 
I keep coming back in my head to the engine masters test comparing a 500hp small chevy to a 500hp big chevy.


Big chevy wins hands down, easily.
 
Yep, but the 413 has a tiny bore, and more weight than a low deck. For relatively the same displacement, the 400 is a much better choice.
Now, if you have a 413 block you can bore .165 over.....?
413, better low end torque, sure, but rpm makes better torque and power on the big end.
Probably not across the board. That's a big cut.
 
I keep coming back in my head to the engine masters test comparing a 500hp small chevy to a 500hp big chevy.


Big chevy wins hands down, easily.
My God, look at how much more head the big blocks have. If only Chrysler had used a splayed valve head on the big block. If only.
 
My God, look at how much more head the big blocks have. If only Chrysler had used a splayed valve head on the big block. If only.
They do. It's called a Hemi, LOL.


But I know exactly what you mean. State of the art bbm street head, 270cc, still 50 cc less that a 50 year old chevy head.
 
Nuthin. How bout this? How bout limit the stroke to 4" for the small block and 3.75 for the big block? That way, we can use the factory cranks in the low or raised deck. Isn't that a little more fair? That does limit the big block to factory only stroke, where the small block gets whatever you want.

Why handicap the SB with a 4 inch arm? I‘d build a 3.79 stroke (or maybe even a 3.65 stroke because I think they used to make that stroke length) and turn the small block 7500 rpm
 
Why handicap the SB with a 4 inch arm? I‘d build a 3.79 stroke (or maybe even a 3.65 stroke because I think they used to make that stroke length) and turn the small block 7500 rpm
Well, I was assuming 4" was tha max, anything under that was allowed, but this ain't my game and my rules.
 
+100 HP? That's a lot. If that's all coming from Headflow then the heads would really have to be a whole lot better. I mean, we're talking better than 50 cfm right?
With typical ootb type heads getting what 450-575 to almost 600 hp out of a 408, 525-700+ hp out of bbm mopars. Stealth flow like 273 @ .600" thats there bottom of the line head tf 240 326 @ .600", tf 270 343 @ .600" etc.. vs basically sbm tf 305 @ .600".

So say the average decent 408 is making 525 hp there's no reason a big block shouldn't be doing 625 hp. Above that it's race to max effort, course there's parts to make 700-800+ sbm too, what ever you can do to a NA 408 it should at least be easier to get there with a bbm if not out right Beat it.

What's the top max effort heads for a LA 4.03" bore vs B 4.37" bore ?
 
Why handicap the SB with a 4 inch arm? I‘d build a 3.79 stroke (or maybe even a 3.65 stroke because I think they used to make that stroke length) and turn the small block 7500 rpm
Also, I've never seen a THING wrong with the 3.31" arm, either.
 
Why handicap the SB with a 4 inch arm? I‘d build a 3.79 stroke (or maybe even a 3.65 stroke because I think they used to make that stroke length) and turn the small block 7500 rpm
......and still have more stroke, and less cubes than a 400bb. Why do you think the small block with a 3.79 stroke can out rev a 400 with a 3.38 stroke, and a bigger bore for more valve area and head flow?
 
At least they used the hemi head :)
Well yeah, but compared to the Chevy big block, one could argue the Hemi was almost experimental. Every single Chevy big block got the same style head. Even on the W series engines, the 348 and 409.
 
Well yeah, but compared to the Chevy big block, one could argue the Hemi was almost experimental. Every single Chevy big block got the same style head. Even on the W series engines, the 348 and 409.
Plus they didn't make enough for the average guy to have them.

Funny though I remember back in the day when mags would do a 460 vs 454 vs 440 it was always mainly between 440 and 454 and the 440 did come out on top for some of the shootouts but never too far behind.
 
Just a reminder of how pathetic most of todays big block builds are.
1974 duster
Stock crank,
.030 TRW heavy azz pistons
Stock rods
906 cast iron heads
9.82 quarter mile times

38586148865_9b9b9eabce_o.jpeg
 
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