SBC vs SBF

Chevy is cheaper, Ford is better, Ford also knows how to stay in business.

In all reality, they are pretty much the same. And for performance street/strip/track engine they cost about the same. But even today, it's still cheaper to build a race Chevy engine than a race Ford engine. At the competition level there is more support for Chevy engines than Ford's. Simply because they are already there, not because of any superior potential.

I suspect our regulars have been abducted by aliens and the Honda forums are filling in.

Mopar 360

Buick 350 FTW!

Lighter than a SBC, torque out the wazoo and damn near indestuctable.

Shawn

Dont plan on finding a useable 400 SBC block without alot of looking. It is really a rather poorly designed engine for several reasons, and most of them didnt survive. The problems can be fixed if you build a new engine, but it doesnt help when the block has a big hole in the side. lol

Thanks for the help people!

I've built SBCs and SBMs (Mopars). When I started the Corvair sitting on a Malibu frame project, I got a lot of input from Andy Nelson, I used an HO 305 from a Monty SS. The question was posed because I'm looking seriously at a TR-7.

Because of the limited space alone, I would probably head to the Blue Oval. Besides, my buddy has one sitting on a stand that has "P" heads. I think they're off an Exploder, better ports, valves or something.

Film at 11....

Dan

I had a Buick 350 and there very little parts available compared to a Chevy or Ford small block.

ReverendDexter wrote: I'm shocked at how civilized this discussion is

I would say that's because nobody here is really all that brand-specific... at least towards the Ford vs. Chevy argument... More likely to get a heated argument about BMW vs. Audi... or Miata vs. E30...

I'm more of a Ford guy... I had two... I understand them... so I lean towards the blue oval (with an additional longing for Mopars...) However, if the situation or need presented itself, I wouldn't dismiss a SBC out of hand... I would probably try to Megasquirt & Spark either so dizzy location would be irrelevant.

Ian F wrote:

ReverendDexter wrote: I'm shocked at how civilized this discussion is

I would say that's because nobody here is really all that brand-specific... at least towards the Ford vs. Chevy argument... More likely to get a heated argument about BMW vs. Audi... or Miata vs. E30... I'm more of a Ford guy... I had two... I understand them... so I lean towards the blue oval (with an additional longing for Mopars...) However, if the situation or need presented itself, I wouldn't dismiss a SBC out of hand... I would probably try to Megasquirt & Spark either so dizzy location would be irrelevant.

I also think that both engines are so common as a swap for the Challenge to the point that few really care what the enigne is as long as it's done well- which, of course, both can be equally for the Challenge.

E-

I have never seen a horsepower limit on either. I saw an article on a Fox-body with a 5.0 that ran over 200mph. They calculated the power they needed to push a brick to that speed, and just built 1000hp or so into it. (no turbos or nitrous BTW) Same with SBC. You want 1000 hp on pump gas? Someone has done it. Amazing in both camps.

914Driver wrote: Thanks for the help people! I've built SBCs and SBMs (Mopars). When I started the Corvair sitting on a Malibu frame project, I got a lot of input from Andy Nelson, I used an HO 305 from a Monty SS. The question was posed because I'm looking seriously at a TR-7. Because of the limited space alone, I would probably head to the Blue Oval. Besides, my buddy has one sitting on a stand that has "P" heads. I think they're off an Exploder, better ports, valves or something. Film at 11.... Dan

You have the worst automotive ADD I have ever seen.

pinchvalve wrote: I have never seen a horsepower limit on either. I saw an article on a Fox-body with a 5.0 that ran over 200mph. They calculated the power they needed to push a brick to that speed, and just built 1000hp or so into it. (no turbos or nitrous BTW) Same with SBC. You want 1000 hp on pump gas? Someone has done it. Amazing in both camps.

I'm pretty certain no-one has done a 1000 hp 302 with a stock block and no nitrous/turbo. "They" say at 400-500whp the 302 block is subject to failure (they split). As this would be sufficient power in my E30, it wouldn't stop me from looking closely at 302's....

Nathan

Jensenman wrote:

914Driver wrote: Thanks for the help people! I've built SBCs and SBMs (Mopars). When I started the Corvair sitting on a Malibu frame project, I got a lot of input from Andy Nelson, I used an HO 305 from a Monty SS. The question was posed because I'm looking seriously at a TR-7. Because of the limited space alone, I would probably head to the Blue Oval. Besides, my buddy has one sitting on a stand that has "P" heads. I think they're off an Exploder, better ports, valves or something. Film at 11.... Dan

You have the worst automotive ADD I have ever seen.

Maybe you've heard of this Quasi fellow....

Quasi? That guy with the Audi Mazda BMW merkur vw chevy ford mg pontiac chrysler ...

Neve heard of him.

Joey

That guys a dick.

Did someone say Audi V8?

I aam looking at one right now... shhhhooosshhhh it.

From what I have heard, a stock 350 block (with mods like splayed main caps, half the water jacket filled, etc) will take about 800 hp. If you are spending the kind of money it takes to do that, $1700 for a world products block isnt that much more.

There are 2 diffrent SBF worth looking at. The 302 is cheap to build to a good level, if you have deep pockets it can be pushed out to 347 cubes. The 351 winsor is also a good choice but are harder to build up and kinda spendy, if you get one of the last ones I think 95 and up it is roller ready. BUT... the SBC is cheap, plentiful, and bigger "there is no replacement for displacement" is a very strong agument the fact is you can still find good 400s very cheap look in old blazers and jimmys. so IMO the 400 cube SBC is the only way to go, you just got to look around to find one cheap.