Guest storm280z Posted March 24, 2004 Share Posted March 24, 2004 ok here the deal i just bout a 360 sbc not to long a ago. my plan was to run that motor to make 400whp. and i know that i sbc in a z is no problem . but heres where it gets crazy i find a complete bbc for 300.00. SPECS complete"(oil pan to intake) 396ci BBC needs rebuild Oval Port Cast Iron Heads casting#336781 73-85 454 118cc chamber, 256/114cc ports 1967 Block casting#3902406 i wanted to ask the the community here is there any thing at all i should know or consider b4 i buy this motor. such how it will effect the car weight/ suspension/instill problems/frame/or is this just over kill/what trannyto use/ect or any peice of advuce one can add thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
labrat Posted March 24, 2004 Share Posted March 24, 2004 Hope youre REALLY good at fabrication, cuz a big block in a Z requires serious firewall modifications. It sits back so far in the chassis that the distributor is somewhere around the heater core if I'm not mistaken. Anyway, for more info on a BB conversion, see http://www.ratsun.com. They make it look easy, though... Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muskrat Posted March 24, 2004 Share Posted March 24, 2004 I can't see any reason why the SBC setup you have in your garage wouldn't be enough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Nic-Rebel450CA Posted March 24, 2004 Share Posted March 24, 2004 I'd stick with the SBC as well. All of that extra work for 36 extra cubes is definitely not going to be worth it. With less effort, you could just stroke the SBC. A BBC wouldnt be my choice for a Z anyways, too much bottom end torque. You cant have too much bottom end torque if you are going to do a solid rear drag car though If you really want to go BBC, I'd use something with much more cubes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grumpyvette Posted March 24, 2004 Share Posted March 24, 2004 I build at least 5 big blocks for every small block I build so while I can assure you that its potentially possiable to make more power from a big block chevy engine, with its larger ports and bigger valves ,but Id need to point out that in a (Z) the differance in power between a 396 bbc engine and a 383 sbc engine is just not worth the extra installation problems UNLESS your willing to totally gut the car for race use,install a full roll cage and 4 link rear suspension, several fiberglass components and race the car, a sbc properly built can easily produce 450hp-550hp depending on combo and engine size and components used. while you could get an extra 50 hp from the big block, if your willing to spend noticably more money for parts, youll weight slightly more (50lb-100 lbs depending on component combo) and have serious installation issues due to the bbc engine being longger and wider and taller, that will tend to make the trade up in hp meaningless in a street car project heres the all iron engine weights/size Chevy small block V8350-400 W26" L28" H27" 575lbs Chevy big block V8 427,454 w28" l30 1/2" H29" 685lbs you can knock 50 lbs off the big block with aluminum heads,intake and water pump, but you can knock about 30 lbs off the sbc with the same mods Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest storm280z Posted March 24, 2004 Share Posted March 24, 2004 ok sorry i asked. but THANKS for all the info. i will be keeping my sbc.i had no idea how much work would go into a bbc swap. but now i know thanks everyone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
labrat Posted March 24, 2004 Share Posted March 24, 2004 Not trying to discourage you, but just trying to be realistic and let you know what you're in for. And by the way, never be sorry for asking... The only stupid question is the one you didn't ask. Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest storm280z Posted March 24, 2004 Share Posted March 24, 2004 im glad that you guys did tell me b/c i had no idea what i was getting into Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Savage42 Posted March 24, 2004 Share Posted March 24, 2004 Well, it's obvious that there are varying differences of opinion in the hybridz world, the pros & cons of the different engine conversions have more to do with what you plan to do with the car and what you goals are. Obviously, the obligatory "use the search function" will come up right away, which is an awesome tool to find out basic information. I think that most "newbies" wouldn't feel like they are getting flamed or slammed if the first question was stated differently. Example: "I'd like to have a Z that does 12 (or 11) sec. in the 1/4 mile and won't be street driven, what is the most cost effective way to do that?" or "I want to do a V8 conversion, but plan to autocross it and run track days." Obviously, there are 2 extremes in those 2 examples, with most on the list having more of a priority to achieving a "straight line" excellence, where I'm personally all about having my Z become a class autocross championship car, once capable of records at hillclimbs and spanking Vettes & Vipers at the race track. To each there own, but from what I've found in the 12 years I've been playing with 510s, now Zs and Roadsters is that everyone needs to figure out what they ultimately want out of the car. Once we all figure that out, it's much easier to get the final results. Big blocks are good for monster power and drag racing, but not the answer for a road race or autocross car! I just love when I'm racing our '70 Plymouth AAR 'Cuda factory Trans-Am car and people ask "Does it have a Hemi in in?" I tell them "Hell no! Not that boat anchor, they ran 5 liter small blocks in the Trans-Am cars". Light, quick & nimble is what I'm after, but I'm a minority in this forum. I like to reference our local road course, Portland Int'l Raceway (which has a drag strip for a front straight) and say "You may beat me in the 1/4, but I want to know how fast you can take turn 1!" (an 80 mph right hander) Sorry for the rant, just a little perspective. At least the Hybridz guys get along much better than the "purists" in the other Datsun "clicks". We all focus on "The Need for Speed"!! 8) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heavy Z Posted March 25, 2004 Share Posted March 25, 2004 Hey Storm, if you have the itch to go big, why not consider a Caddy 500? Dizzy up front, relatively light at 40 lbs. heavier than a sbc, and strokeable. Talk around here lately has me wanting to see one in a Z, sorry if I'm pulling you in the wrong direction. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest storm280z Posted March 25, 2004 Share Posted March 25, 2004 heavy z thank God their are people in the world like you. always wanting to go bigger and bader Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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