Originally Posted by Al_Alguire
I have done both and the costs are not that much greater for a BBM than a BBC at 1000 HP. Cranks, Rods, Pitons, Rings, Lifters, Cams, Oiling parts, a;l those are are the SAME cost pretty much. I have both so I know. Feel free to price and aluminum BB chevy block and get back to me. Heads of similar performance potential are pretty much the same cost. Porting is porting don't matter what head it is the price is the same. The difference is options for the BBC guys, the initial cost of an ironblock is another, although most those lower dollar Chevy blocks need work to make them useful at that power leve,like cam cores, lifter sizing so that brings the cost more inline. Also the secondary market for BBC stuff is much larger than the BBM one. Building new it is a few grand either way, so if a few grand is gonna break your budget on a 1000hp combo then maybe you need to rethink your hobby and finances.

I have seen more than my fair share of crate engines from many of the larger name Chevy shops. Most do not perform anywhere near their posted HP numbers. The exception to that rule is Reher and Morrison, and again feel free to look at their prices and get back to me. I have seen the inside of them as well and many are downright SCARY when you get in there, the lack of attention to detail and quality workmanship, again Reher is a glaring exception again. There are the nicest pieces you will find.

Bottom line IMO. Many Mopar guys shy away from trying to make HP. Because they keep getting told it cant be done, or it cost to much, or its way cheaper to build a BBC. Some are scared of the RPM it might take to get there. Others don't want to or refuse to come around to more modern thinking on making HP. Or most the most likely reason is they are happy making 7-800 and running where they are. Nothing wrong with it.BUt its what keeps the Mopar stuff limited to what we have. I am on my third Predator build right now. Was it cheap HELL no. Could I build a BBC for less, yeah maybe 2500-3000 less. In the end it will make a bit over 1100hp and be a reliable bracket/.90 engine for me. Have a 582 aluminum BBC going together right next to it as well. And the costs difference is nominal and the Predator will make more power.


I've seen a few crate engines make their way down here, only to ruin the crankshaft or eat itself in some way after about 2000 klms. As Al pointed out, no attention to detail.

The Trickflow stuff is nicely made, but most BBM heads are just plain tiny port wise.


Alan Jones