Big Block VS. Small Block

If you had a choice between ANY big block engine, and ANY small block engine, which would you choose and why?

Big Block 460. Just cant be beat for raw power.

Big block. Bragging rights.

Id like to withdraw my vote for a 460 and cast it for a 445 IDI. Just as much power as a 460, but gets mileage in the double digits LOL

im torn.. i love my 454 but the 350 revs so much higher and makes some good power if built right.. but i gotta spead some love for the big block

454, 460, 572....it's all good...

502 ramjet........cause it's way bad azz and you wanna talk about bragging rights!!!!

460 ftw

I honestly can't answer this!!!! Because small block have a higher rev limit and can produce just as much if not more power then any BB out there!! However there is no replacement for displacement!! I chose to plead the fifth on this matter!!!

ok, well, i chose big block, because i want my perfect truck with a big block chevy 572!

Can't help ya here AMC's are neither Big nor Small blocks

They are considered a Medium Block, they purposely designed them this way.

Why you might ask ? . . . Simply because they now didn't need 2 sets of engines

They can out Rev a Big block and out Torque a small block.

290-401 all Medium blocks, along with the Poncho/Old's/Buick V-8's 307-455 Medium blocks.

Most call them big blocks but there not. i forgot how the classify them as Big Medium Small blocks but the Cubic inches have nothing to do with it.

Mike

I have a 350 FI in my 57 chev truck but
if I had the endless source of $moola$ I'd do the same as Eric
the 572 is a sweet engine. and sounds nicer then any small block.
Not that small blocks don't sound good. With the right exhaust they can turn heads too.

I still havent voted. This is a tough call for me. Small Blocks have more interchangeability, which is awesome, but big blocks have more factory grunt.

i just love big blocks. one of my buddies had a 1970 chevelle ss with a big block 502, and its ok, sounds excellent, just, it sound like its very heavy and it takes longer for it to get going. like, a 350 can get up and go, a 502 or a 572 takes a little while for it to GO! but none the less, a 572 with straight headers would sound so awesome.

I like your Avatar Eric
Cool

i would choose the 460 because the block is thicker and it doesn't need high rpm's to make big power which reduces wear and increases engine life. You could make 600 horse motor with a stock crank no problem. Stroking it to a 521, opening up the exhaust ports (cause they are very restrictive from factory), cam, pistons, etc... would end up giving that motor easy power.

In what application? This is my delema...... The debate of big block vs. Small block simply comes down to intended usage (IMO). I had a 1985 one ton with a 454, and it regularly moved 18000 lbs. And did it well.... I had a 1984 3/4 ton with a 350, and it would flat leave my 454 behind, but when hooked to the trailer and 18000 lbs. The ol 454 would leave the 350 behind.... In a street rod/hotrod ill take a chevy 350 anyday.... In the work truck/ mud truck, make mine a 454 please.....

Well i like the 445, but i love the ole' 302 also..... but big block over rules.. more bragging rights = more chicks

454 this is a landslide poll haha. thats whats goin in my 9 this summer hopefully.

BOP big blocks are my favourite, 455!!

WilliamBos wrote:

BOP big blocks are my favourite, 455!!

BOP, thats a term I havent heard in a while.

455 FTW!

well ive only had 350s so small block lol but id try a 454 455 lol

I am not even voting in this one. There are way to many good ones. Of course all that I am thinking of are American made. I could pic a favorite small block of each breed, and a favorite big block of each breed. I will say this much though, for a close to stock, or a mild big block GM, I'd prefer and Olds 425 or 455 over a 454 Chevrolet. Ahhh Dammm. That hurt to type that out. But its true. I like to many GM engines. Olds, Pontiacs, Chevrolets. In a BB Ford, certainly like the 460, althought the 429 was a good runner too. In Ford SB, I'd say the 289 but the 302 does have many more options, so can I get by with saying 289/302? Dodge BB would be the 440 Wedge, and Dodge SB would be by far be the 340. Also on side note, Pontiac also does not have SB or BB. They are all the same block size form 326 all the way up to 455 in factory production. But if I had to choose a favorite all time well rounded engine. Without doubt Chevy 350. Very versatile, cheap to build, parts and options are thru the roof, easy to find and very common. Makes great horsepower and torque, and still somewhat economical and also loves to turn high rpm unlike most big blocks. I still like the 454, but personally, I think its a pig of a motor and not the least bit economical whatsoever. I don't even bother checking my gallons to the mile anymore on my truck. When both tanks are empty, I spend $100 to fill it back up and depnding on close to empty it is, $100 doesn't even fill it up sometimes.

small block.. higher factory RPM range

Ya 350 is the way. Not bad on fuel.......AND For all of u who said u blew up a 350 want me to change oil for u?