Here's my situation, I currently have a 350 in my firebird from a 71 truck. It smokes badly on startup, meaning it has bad valve seals. I wanted to go and put vortecs on the motor but, here's the other dilemma. In my garage there sits a 408 big block (402 .030 over). Apparently this motor can be punched out further to a 454. Here's my thing. I want absolute brute power and acceleration. I am aware I will need headers, but the motor mounts will bolt right up and the tranny will (though it may not live much longer). The motor is a late 60's early 70's motor (3999280 casting, I think that 8 is a 9, these are the #'s I got from home, I'm at college right now) but it has low oil pressure, and needs to ripped apart to find the source. It is also internally balanced. The question is both seem to cost a lot of money, but I want a car that will hit mid to low 12's and beyond. Should I build my 350 up and stroke it to a 383, or would I be better off with the 408/ perhaps 427 or 454. 427 or 454, BTW which is better to build. The thing is I was playing with DD2000 and cannot seem to get a 402 to make anything much more than my 350 w/vortecs, despite much larger valves and a bigger cam. In fact my motor with vortecs will supposedly make more power than my father's 454 in his camaro. The way his truck headed 454 powered 67 maro blew by me wasnt even funny. I cannot see how there can be so little difference in power when that thing pulls like a freight train.

So anyways, this is a like 3 or 4 year down the road thing, as I have to start saving now. Would you vortec and stroke my 350 or would you invest in heads and a rebuild on a big block and make one heck of a car?

 

every thing about the SBC will be easier and cheaper to do than using a BBC and a SBC will make all the power you can ever use. dollar for dollar you can't do better than the little mouse. plus you could sell the BBC to someone to halp pay for the SBC, try selling the SBC to pay for the BBC. you anywhere close to me, i might be interested in the 402 for my old car.

 

Im trying to decide what I want to do, I may just go small block for now, but man do I love driving my father's 454 camaro. It just hauls. Makes my car feel like a grocery getter. The thing is even if I bought Vortecs for the car, the motor is still useful if I do swap big block later on. We have several vehicles that could use the SBC. I do like the uniqueness and the backend sliding all over at 30 mph of the big block.

As for selling that motor, sorry, not a chance. It is getting saved if i ever get my hands on another project car. Your like the third person thats offered to get it. When we were selling spare parts, we had several people see it and offer to buy it. And I know a certain chevette just sitting somewhere i can probably get for like 50 bucks. That or a 68 firebird this guy leaves in his yard. $400 in 20's may get it if he really knows as much about it as he treats it.

 

i have a pretty much original 68ss 396 car but it's missing the BBC. actually i'd sell it if someone came up with enough cash.