Big Block ??

[IndyNova]

hey guys, I am debating on an engine for my 70 pt Nova. I ultimately will put in a blown ls motor, but for now I just want to get it running. It currently has no motor, but I have a buddy that has a 454 that needs some boring (unsure yet) and he has a stock stroke ohio crank (brand new) that he's making me a smoking deal on. Should I bother building a stroker big block, or just try to find a good running small block? There is a budget I have to stay in, but doing the research, i think I can find some good deals on things like rods, pistons, etc. Any pro's or con's from guys who have been there done that wiould be appreciated. Thanks

[GregWeld]

Pretty tough to beat a low budget big block... they can make 450/500 Hp and that much torque without breaking a sweat. You're going to spend more money to build a small block with that kind of grunt... and end up with a "snottier" (is that really a word?) cam.

You mention budget but didn't say what that is - so maybe knowing that number would help "us" see what you're up against.

You can't cheap out on machine work... there is no "cheap" machine work... and it's critical unless you just want to end up with oil on the street and a bunch of scrap...

If the guy is willing - make the sale conditional on getting an "okay" to go on the block and crank... DON'T GUESS... you need to have a machinist check it out... or you could end up with an expensive boat anchor.

Find a shop you want to work with - and talk to them about the cost of checking the block - and whether or not they'd credit that cost if you go ahead with the boring or whatever it needs. Tell them exactly what you're looking to build... and listen to what they have to say. They may already have a block and or crank that'd done or needs less work - at a great price. Some people take their stuff in - it gets done - and they never come pick it up -- so maybe the shop has a deal laying around. Maybe even a complete motor? Or a long block... never hurts to ask.

[IndyNova]

as far as budget, i would like to stay in the 3-5k range. I was planning on having a local machine shop who does all the "racers" blocks here in Indy machine it. The block and crank my buddy is selling is cheap-let's just say it's barely 3 numbers long..lol so I got to looking on ebay, and a set of pro-comp h-rods were $400, and I've got a buddy who can get a set of mahle pistons built for cheap, I don't want to set teh world on fire, but I would like to be respectable in any xcross'ing I do, maybe the ocassiona; trip down the track, but mostly street driven. How does a big blocks added weight affect the handling characteristics of the car? Obviously I know it'll be different, but am I gonna have to go back to square one (as far as chassis set-up) in a few years when I jump over to a LS motor? Thanks again.

[GregWeld]

Ah -- you should be able to build a real decent big block on that budget... you'll just have to keep your eyes and ears open.

One thing I would say up front -- a motor is not just a bunch of random parts... and getting something "cheap" --- if it's not the right part for the build - isn't a bargain. What I'm talking about is the compression ratio of the pistons - taking into account the cam - and the heads... So I would have a big time discussion about the EXACT engine build you want with your builder -- and then make a list of exactly what parts (heads etc) you need to find. Then set about getting your best deal on those exact parts.... rather than gathering a bunch of parts - and then trying to make something out of them.

Cam is critical... the lift - and duration - will set up what static compression you're going to need out of the piston/head chamber... so get all those numbers worked out before you start shopping. Push rods will need to be sourced after all the machine work is done - because their proper length is critical and you won't know what that is until you've done the machine work - picked head gaskets etc...

WEIGHT is the number one reason that people stay away from BBC's... they are harder to deal with - when you plop a couple hundred extra pounds on the nose. But lots and lots of people race cars with big blocks... so it's a matter of the proper spring rate and "anti sway bar" (as they're commonly called)... those would most likely have to be changed when and if you go to the lighter LSx motor - as you'd be dropping a couple hundred pounds off the suspension - but those are not expensive parts to begin with.

Just the little bit that I know -- Auto X is one set up for suspension etc - Drag racing is another... and street is street... To be competitive - you're talking a lot more than just motor. We're talking tires - gearing - roll centers - shock valving - weight distribution... That's the beauty of PT style builds - in my opinion - they do it all pretty well... and they're FUN to drive. But having drag raced.... we're talking a completely different set of rear gears - and trying to hook it up (weight transfer) etc.... So if I was on a budget - I'd figure what I'm REALLY wanting to get out of the car and go for that...

[IndyNova]

I guess I mis-spoke (or typed..lol) when I said competitive, I just meant I would like to do some xcross and not look like a idiot. I definitely want a pro touring car, as I'm also planning on ats spindles and z06 brakes, along with hotckis suspension and qa1's. The car will be 99% street driven, but I'd like it to be agile at the same time. Thanks for the advice, you brought up some points that I hadn't thought of yet.

[Vegas69]

Don't expect to build that engine and turn around and sell it for any decent amount of money. Consider that play money. If I was working with that budget, I'd get a scrap yard LS2-LS3 and put a cam in it.