Big Block Chevy

[Jerry Clayton]

I don;t know off hand what the weight difference is between the two engines, I was referring to make which ever one you use as light as possible----

I have driven several different combos, and the aluminum headed small block cars were the most well behaved pleasent drivers, but who wants to be either pleasent or well behaved!!!! Really, the big block cars were just a little heavy in the nose, some of which could be fixed with the right choice of parts---however it is cheaper in the long run to do it right once instead of changing components later---

Ever since I ran an all aluminum engine back in 1972, I'll take the lightest weight possible, even sacrifising some total horse power

Jerry

[ItBites]

KCs 514 package isn't comparable due to the cast crank and I also think shipping is charged on top of the price advertised, and I do not think you get a 2 yr warranty. I have also heard many horror stories about 514s eating cams and lifters... Certainly no comparison to the reliability of any BBC (bullet-proof)oiling system.

However, the new generation of ford heads really brings the power of the fords right into chevy territory!

[Tom Wells]

IB,

I'm thrilled to hear that your

soon to be 540 cid Chevy

is

bullet-proof

Must be quite thrilling

[vettestr]

For pretty-much ready to fire up cast iron engines we generally use 575 and 685 pound figures for weight. So a big block is only 110 pounds more and aluminum heads drop a quick 42 pounds over cast iron heads. That is 42 pounds of a 5248% differential on a 2500 pound car. If your girlfriend gained 42 pounds you would know it pretty quick but on a street car so what.
If you use 1 HP per cubic inch just for sake of argument (1 HP per inch is a fair benchmark I think for custom engines and not that far off for a performance crate engine) Depending on money spent a ratio of 2 to 1 is sure possible. I had a $$ Shafiroff 540 in my own car, aluminum, injected and all the goodies, it gets crazy quick. The weight difference between a small block and a big block gets lost in the math of horsepower per pound VERY QUICKLY.

[ItBites]

Tom Wells,

Thanks; I'm thrilled that you're thrilled to hear about it. Engine will go in this weekend if all goes well. Of course, I know you are sincere. Thrilling for the thrill of it...

[joey_hv]

what is the weight savings on an aluminum 427 block and a cast iron one?

[RodKnock]

It seems that the Edelbrock aluminum head is the choice of many Cobra owners for their BBF builds, and granted I don't have the flow rate numbers in front of me, but the BBC has the advantage of some very trick aluminum heads from manufacturers such as Brodix, Air Flow Research, Trick Flow, Dart, World, etc. in addition to the Edelbrock head. I have AFR 315cc heads on my 540 and they flow great, but AFR also has 335cc and 357cc heads. Brodix has several lines for the BBC. I think (and hope) that these same manufacturers will begin to make some great heads for the BBF in the near future as well.

[ItBites]

Rodknock,

Dart also has the new 18 degree offering that uses normal intake and valvetrain components. Sort of mid-way between the normal 23 degree Dart heads and the Big Chief valve geometry. Should be good for +50hp in a direct swap...

[CHANMADD]

I run a SBC 400, bored 0.030 (406) and it runs great. As said the distributor is difficult to get out ,but I have found that if I take the intake ,manifold and distributor out together its really easy.

[RodKnock]

Thanks E. Wood, I will look into the Dart offerings.

[betzjr66]

I was also considering running a 406 chevy, I found a really good deal on one from an engine builder from e-bay. He was going to build be an aluminum headed (Dart pro 1 platnum) 406 with a steel crank and hyper pistons from speed pro for $2900. Shipping was an extra 275. What kind of cooling system are you running Chanmadd? I've heard the cooling problems with the 400 sbc is really a myth. They just heat up faster when you have a cooling porblem.

[WV66AC]

74 454 block, 68 alum heads, it starts easy after storage and runs. Nuff said.