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
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
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
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
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