What is the allure of the small block? I am asking because of interest and curiosity, not to start an argument. I just have always figured that you get more torque and power for the same investment of time and $ with a big block, so I'm wondering why not go big?

I raced em for years then my friend Al turned me onto a guy who took us for a ride in a 500+ in Max Wedge..............Need I say more?

Because it's fun to beat big blocks.

"..not to start an argument.." Yea, right!! I see a coming,

Because it's too hard to get an 1800 gram bobweight in a Bigblock. Honestly, I'm a semi-reformed rpm junkie that just likes an engine that sounds like a chainsaw when you mash it.

nearly 100 pounds lighter, more room same power

Our W5 mill was a bit quicker than my low buck 498, but my dad's car was a whole lot more fun to drive than my Mirada. I've just always liked the small blocks and it's good to be back!

I like the sound of 9000 rpm's

Lighter parts, lighter overall weight, helps weight transfer, more room under the hood to work on it, might be cheaper and easier to get parts for. It's not always to be "THE" fastest. There will always be someone faster. As for speed, I've always run a small block. But I'm having as much fun or more running low-mid 11's now than when I was running low-mid 10's with my old Challenger. My current car pulls the front wheels better! It's also fun to try & get more from less.

Lots of reasons. They are cheap and easy to come by. The exception of course, a 340. Toss a rod out the side of a 360, no big loss. Go find another block and start over. Do that will a big block and a replacement may be a little harder to find. This of course only applies to factory parts. The full-on race stuff is a different story. If you have a sb and get beaten by a bb, no body takes notice. On the other hand, beat a bb with a sb, everybody takes notice.

hi BINGO, I agree small blocks are fun. just as you say, get more for less.

I used to run big blocks . Changed to small blocks around 1996 in my Demon and that is all I have run since. And I like the challenge to go fast with less. We are running mopars so it is obvious we like to be the underdog or to be different. When I go to the track I am the only mopar there.

The stock pile of parts I have...

It would be crazy for me to change engines.

1. Need a new block for your SB? I can buy a core with a hydro roller set up any day of the week for $100, try THAT with a BB. That block will handle the same power as a stock BB.

2. Spark plugs are a pain in a BB not to mention plug wire routing around headers or manifolds and the location in the chamber sucks and needs a lot of advance.

3. #100 off the nose of the car for free.

4. Bolts up to a 904 or a-500 for free that saves power and wider ratios are almost free and is a lot lighter and I have never heard of a 904 drum exploding. If you get the right one you can shut off lock up with a simple switch.

5. Magnum heads can make just as much power as any free BB heads because of the increased efficiency.

6. Machined valve cover rails with 10 bolts, one piece oil pan gasket, no water on the head bolts or ex bolts (again magnum heads)


7. 4 inch cast cranks (No eagle crap) are real cheap and hold up fine in most apps.

8. Converting a SB car to a BB (most of our cars were SB) is a big pain, swaping trans, exhaust, mounts...

Me and most of my customers are broke folks that don't really need expensive blocks and heads and don't want to add the weight for little gain. I talked a good friend out of a 440 in his 318 68 Cuda, instead stroked a 318 mag to a 392 and he calls me all the time carrying on about how fast this thing is and how he is glad he did not go BB. Saved all the money on the conversion and it still handles well.

There is a place for a BB but it is not really what most guys need. You really should have aftermarket heads and 500+ cubes to make it worth it.

Because the have money to burn??? that or its regulated by class or something.

I like beating, BB Chevys, Fords, Pontiacs etc.. With my 71 340 demon, the look on their face is priceless when I pop the hood! Now a days your not giving up to much with these 420 to 440 + inch SB's