Hey Everyone,

I have a 75 L48 4 speed, mostly stock right now except for true dual exhaust. I was going to build up the engine to at 383 stroker, but just found out that there is a fresh rebuild of a 454 that I can pick up on my street.

Here is the survey:

Is it better to keep the original engine and build it up, or will I be happier with the big block? I don't intend to keep the car all original (not much value in that for a 75) but I also don't want to start changing so much stuff that I built a new car a could have bought another one for the same money if you know what I mean.

Anyway, what's everyones thoughts?
Thanks,
Glenn

I would do the 383 treatment. Big Blocks are cool, but you will have to spend some extra cash on different accessories, i.e.- brackets, exhaust manifolds or headers, front springs (to handle the extra weight),up grade the radiator, etc.
Sticking to the 383 idea, it would be less labor and probably cheaper in the long run. And if done right, a 383 will give you some serious power. And that's my .02 cents!
Sarge

I'm with Sarge ... you may plan on keeping it forever, but at some point you'll sell it and better to keep it as origional as posible.And it may only be a '75 now but remember, its always going up in value. Let us know how you make out. I would be interested in doing the same to my '74 L-82.
What all would you do to the engine?
Phil

I with Sarge on this one. The BB can make more power, but the SB is a bit lighter and will acutally allow the car to handle better. The effort and expense is much less to keep the SB.

Ken Styer

I'd say keep your small block and build it if you like. Big blocks are great, especially if you want a torque monster, but with all the additional changes you need to make as already mentioned, the cost could be prohibitive. With what can be done with a small block now for not an excessive amount of money, you'll have a car with a better power to weight ratio than a big block.

I have a '69 427/435 and a '78 with a slightly warmed over L82 and while the '69 is a blast to drive, the small block is a much smoother and more comfortable car to drive, besides the difference in gas mileage.

Never underestimate a small block and what can be done with it if you approach it intelligently and logically.

Thanks everyone, you basically said what I was thinking. I was planning to do an Edelbrock performer kit with the intake, carb, cam, and heads. Then put some headers on it. I was also thinking of going with a Richmond 6 speed. I don't think I will have enough money to do the whole thing at once. Most likely I will be doing the tranny, intake, and carb first with the cam, heads and headers last.
Glenn

I vote for the Big Block!

But everybody else has pointed out all the reasonable answers, which do make sense, because there is a lot involved in moving to a Big Block. Namely the cooling, and belt drives. The springs are really not much of an issue because a complete Big Block only weighs 80 pounds more than a small block, thus lowering your front end about 3/4 of an inch. With decent sway bars and shocks, handling is almost the same. If you get a set of aluminum heads, then you are back to the same weight as a stock small block. But the torque! You can't beat it!

Just my opinion!

Going with a 383 stroker does make sense because you already have everything set up for the small block.


Bill

http://home.earthlink.net/~bigdogvettes/index.html

|UPDATED|1/1/2004 8:40:25 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

Stay with the small-block. With it you have close to 50/50 weight distribution.