JBL Big Block Poll

[Richard Hudgins]

OK,

I will try to answer the questions in order.

Grumpy.

There is no angle. JBL Dave is a Freak for Boss 429 engines. He has a couple of alloy 460 blocks and a bunch of cylinder heads, injection systems and dry sump stuff laying around and he just wants to do one. Also, a large number of inquiries are about BB fitment. (I designed the chassis for a SB only on purpose, it gives the best weight balance and lowest polar moment.) Of course the Modular motor seems to be a pretty good piece and it is bigger than just about anything, but the weight is OK.

Rick,

A "harmonic period". This is a point (or natural frequency) at which a structure will vibrate at the greatest amplitude for a given input. It is important that the harmonic period of the engine be different then the harmonic period of the chassis. If they are the same, then you will have a vehicle that is unbearable to drive. I have driven some FA cars (Swift in particular) that had this problem. You would end up seeing a number of horizons going down long straights as you would be in this period for extended time.

Your description is also correct.

Tom T.

I cannot change the poll. But the chassis would fit all the engines as listed. Also, The original design would still be available.

Ron Shockley,

Yes, I understand. The various engine weights and CG's will create some setup issues and handleing variations. As all of the engines will sit in the same chassis location (relative to the rear face of the block and chassis) there will certainly be some polar moment and F/R weight differences. You see, this is why I keep telling JBL Dave to leave well enough alone.

Edley,

It is not JBL's intention to sell more cars. They have a hard enough time getting the current stuff done. But rather a matter of building a car that fulfills the market demand.

That is why I posted this poll. If the customer base really wishes a BB capable chassis, then I will design one.

Believe me, I would prefer to leave the car alone, it works very well just as it is and I do have other things to do with my spare time.

Looking the poll at this point, it seems that it is close to a tie between BB and SB.

But the way I read it, SB's are ahead.