just a thought here concerning a choice between a 400 SBC and a 396-402 BBC

Grumpy

The Grumpy Grease Monkey mechanical engineer.
Staff member
just a thought here concerning a choice between a 400 SBC and a 396-402 BBC,
I've never seen the reason the 400 SBC has such a strong following while the 396-402 BBC,
is looked at as a poor option,
Yes, I fully understand the idea that the parts in a generic SBC build tend to be a bit cheaper over-all ,
and that the finished engine will tend to be a bit smaller and a bit lighter in weight,
this is an obvious benefit, but in my opinion a logical choice based on what you intend to do with the finished engine,
and the intended power level you might want to reach both have a significant impact,
on which choice would be the smarter route to take.
the fact is that in a similar build the BBC ENGINES POTENTIALLY,
larger ports the bigger valves and the far more massive block and rotating assembly are huge factors in the builds full power potential.
a 400 SBC has a far less rigid block,and once you exceed about 450 hp and 6000 rpm using an OEM block,
that lack of SBC comparable lower crank support maters, if your goal is a kick butt SBC invest in,
a DART AFTERMARKET BLOCK AND A SCAT ROTATING ASSEMBLY,
(IDEALLY THE 4340 forged) but the 9000 cast steel is still better than OEM cast cranks,
both , the aftermarket cranks and the DART block, are significantly stronger than OEM parts

bblock.jpg


and theres no way to compare the crank or connecting rods strength in either stock or aftermarket forms, between the two options.
Ive seen several guys swap, or add, super chargers onto basically stock BBC engines and the result was impressive power, now you can do something similar to a SBC ,
but a basically stock SBC has a hard time with durability , once you boost the power levels north of about 550 hp on a stock engine with a super charger,
a BBC can rather easily exceed that power level with fewer potential durability issues.
remember a sbc with a 2.02 intake valve and a 1.6" exhaust is breathing though about the best and largest valves the design will accommodate easily, thats 50 cubic inches of cylinder volume
with a 396-402 bbc you have similar cylinder volume but there are larger valves and port cylinder head options, that can significantly boost potential air flow.
yes I understand guys say why build a 396-402 when a rather similar 454-496 displacement engine would not cost a great deal more to build..
. but if you already have a car with a 396-402 its not always a great financial choice,
to ignore the existing engine potential, especially if you have a goal of only about 500-550 hp.
after having built at least a dozen or more of both engine types,
in my opinion they both have potential, but if you want serious power the choice comes down as it usually does,
to how much cash do you want too spend and expected durability...
the 396-402 BBC has a pronounced advantage,in its basic architecture and component strength,
if you want to use a stock or near stock short block assembly.
keep in mind almost all BBC cylinder heads significantly out flow the stock production SBC heads, even the pathetically restrictive BBC peanut port heads,
out flow the well regarded vortec sbc heads with only minor port clean-up,
remember the vortec heads are considered some of the better SBC options,
far out flowing the well regarded fuelie heads of decades ago.


related threads and sub linked info
SKIPPING READING THE PROVIDED,
LINKS IS ALWAYS A MISTAKE,ON THIS WEB SITE.
http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...u-buy-bare-or-assembled-heads.534/#post-57612

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/ccing-my-heads.14187/#post-71989

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/sellecting-cylinder-heads.796/

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/porting-can-help.462/

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...ng-combustion-chambers.2630/page-2#post-54342

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...e-springs-and-setting-up-the-valve-train.181/

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/finding-a-machine-shop.321/#post-55314

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/multi-angle-valve-job-related.3143/#post-8387

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/how-to-lap-valve-seats.1159/#post-2362


http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...y-in-building-a-good-engine.11682/#post-54682

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...-bb-is-600hp-possible-for-street-strip.14602/

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...recommendations-396-street-strip-build.12437/


ID suggest you select from heads from these sources
Jegs; 800/345-4545; Jegs.com

Summit Racing; 800/230-3030; SummitRacing.com

Scoggin-Dickey Parts Center; 800/456-0211; ScogginDickey.com

TRJ
http://trjperformance.com/cylinder-heads-top-end-kits-components/complete-heads/

TRICKFLOW
http://www.trickflow.com/egnsearch.asp? ... 4294867081
http://www.trickflow.com/customerservice
1-330-630-1555 • 1-888-841-6556

BRODIX
http://www.brodix.com/heads/heads.html
479.394.1075

DART
http://www.dartheads.com/products/cylinder-heads
Dart Machinery; 248/362-1188; DartHeads.com


AIR FLOW RESEARCH
http://www.airflowresearch.com/
toll free: 877-892-8844
tel: 661-257-8124

Patriot Performance
Patriot Performance; 888/462-8276; Patriot-Performance.com

PROMAX
http://www.competitionproducts.com/...c-Bare-Pair/productinfo/PMX9317/#.V2m23PkrLcc

RHS
http://www.racingheadservice.com/rhs/cylinder-headshtml
Toll Free: 877-776-4323
Local: 901-259-1134

EDELBROCK
http://www.edelbrock.com/automotive_new ... main.shtml
Edelbrock; 310/781-2222; Edelbrock.com

BMP (world products)
http://www.theengineshop.com/products/cylinder-heads
Tel: 631-737-0372
Fax: 631-737-0467

BUTLER PERFORMANCE
http://www.butlerperformance.com/products/cylinder_heads/cylinder_head_labor.html
866-762-7527

BLUE PRINT ENGINES
http://www.blueprintengines.com/ind...sb-chevy-aluminum-cylinder-heads-cnc-machined
1800-483-4263

PRO-FILER
https://www.profilerperformance.com/
937‐846‐1333

http://www.maliburacing.com/patrick_budd_article.htm


http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...402-bbc-with-a-4-454-crank-or-even-4-25.2165/

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...54-bbc-engine-have-any-power-potential.12343/

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...ng-to-take-awhile-but-theres-good-tips.15295/

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/454-bbc-on-the-cheap-well-to-start.11739/

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...budget-iron-head-build-iron-headed-rat.14283/

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...ng-combustion-chambers.2630/page-3#post-77963

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...at-would-you-build-for-that.11014/#post-48706
 
Last edited:
It's a no win argument on the street.
Fans of both.
Seen stock 400 SBC cylinder block street raced shot with 400 Hp nitrous on top of 500hp baseline.
Then ran low 10s at track on 8 inch wide rubber stock GM suspension layout.
Have the BBC fans.

Have to look at Header and accesory drives.
What you have available or on hand.

Like a 400 sbc.

Big Chevy and Pontiac V8 both win to me.
Off the shelf 2 inch diameter primary tubes available.
No screwing AROUND.
There to win the race and use Rpms along with Brute Torque and Hp.
 
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