Keith

What would you guys do?

A BBC like this:
http://carcraft.com/projectbuild/116_0309_afr/

or

A 354ci, 9,000rpm SBC
4.165" x 3.25"

In the next couple of years I'd like to build a drag only car. Most likely a Gen 3/4 Camaro or firebird.

Anyone have anything like these set-ups?

AutoRoc

I screaming SBC is always nice but reliability might lean towards a crate engine of the BBC all motor variety. 900-1000hp+ can be bought from any engine builder in the form of a BBC for the same or less money than you can build an exact replica of a Nextel Cup engine or the like. Less rpm with the big block will make it more reliable but then again only an idiot would say a nascar/busch/winston cup engine isn't reliable.

Doing a search for big power crate engines is always fun, try it out.

PRAY HRD

iTrader: (119)

hey man...

nothing like an apples to oranges comparison huh? why not ask about the best way to make the power you're looking for? one will make around 750hp with a lot of work put into it for exotic pieces to handle those rpm's, and the other is a torque monster which would of course be the better of the two for a drag application. if you're just looking for the 750ish hp, then look into a nice 383 or something with a blower on it. if you want more power, than look into the bbc. but, you've got a long time to think about it. just figure out what kind of hp you want to make, how much you want to spend, and go from there.

later,
Dave

Villain281H

iTrader: (5)

Agreed with Dave totally. Both have their positives, but the BBC will work on price and reliability issues. Just make you figure out what #s you want before you build.

Derek

Keith

I was looking for a 150mph trap at a 3250lb race weight.

I'm kinda leaning to the BBC, as I already have a '73 454 block ready to go, but I have always had an inkling towards the high rpm shriek of a NASCAR style SBC.

AdioSS

iTrader: (2)

why not build a high RPM BBC? 9000 RPM is very doable.

Personally I am all for building the biggest cubic inch engine that you can. The only reason not to do that is if you have a cubic inch limit rule or a # per cid limit in a class that you are running.

mzoomora

iTrader: (36)

You could build a 406 with SB2.2 heads/intake/cam. The heads and intake are relatively cheap used, buy a new cam, and you are ready to get started. The cup teams make 800hp wiht regualtions on carb size, c.i., etc. Go with more cubes, slightly bigger carb, and a street friendly compression ratio and you could easily match it.

But, a big-block would still be a cheaper means to the same end. I have always been a SBC guy myself, but you cant beat big-block torque. And, despite all the rumors, they can be made to rev. Take a 502 to 7k rpm, and you will be maikng big HP numbers too.

Ls1LikeNoOther

The only problem you will have with the NASCAR style motor is,there power band lays withing 5500-9000 RPM they dont make a lot of power down low obviously because of what they do. The BBC you can make scream way up there like ADIOSS said... I know of a blown 454 that pulls 10,000 through the traps with a GM crank still in it and the damn thing never breaks...

mzoomora

iTrader: (36)

The power band is mostly in the cam. If you went with a different cam and more cubes you could easily bring the power level down in the band. There is a lot of street engines being built with old cup stuff because of the power levels you can get and the price you can buy lightly used stuff for. There are cam grinds being made for drag application SB2, at reasonable prices also.

LOnSLO

iTrader: (15)

We're building an SB2.2 drag motor right now, using a Motown block, and bow tie intake. 16:1 compression, and 3 systems on it. 434 inches. It will make well over 750 on motor alone, and 9000 should be no prob. I loooooooooooooooooooovvvvvvvvvvvvvveeeeeeeeee small blocks though.

Muffracing

Isn't the cost about the same for a 540 bbc and a SB2.2? A friend of mine has a N/A 540 in his dragster with a single holley making 1120 hp. I think he has about $20,000 into it. Putting SB2.2 stuff on a 400 or 421 sbc might be a really good idea.

LOnSLO

iTrader: (15)

Single dominator w/ 540 inches making 1120 hp? If that's true, that's incredible.

LOnSLO

iTrader: (15)

Here's a comparison
http://www.sonnysracingengines.com/p...hevysingle.php

Wnts2Go10O

iTrader: (12)

drag racing go witha bbc... sb2's are more for the road/circle track

Keith

I kinda figured that the SBC's were for the roundy-round stuff, but had wondered about a max effort SBC.

Thanks for the opinions guys.

CTSmechanic

iTrader: (2)

what you need is to scrap the NASCAR idea and go with a 440 cid small block dart or all pro 15 deg heads fuel injected dry sump... watched a combo like this do 700/740 on an engine dyno.. mostly under 7000 rpm...

CTSV05

Well, personally I like the idea of whippin Big Blks with my Small blk, but to make big power you need big heads, and some cubes won't hurt either.

Any time you approach the 700 horse and up range, economy goes out the window.

But I don't think a winston cup style sm.blk would be ideal for your best e.ts. And 750 hp, ain't gettin you 150 mph trap speeds @ 3250.

PRAY HRD

iTrader: (119)

i should make that kind of power no problem on my 10.5:1 CR 427 with 18* heads when i have them ported. plus, though not cheap, they would cost less than the 15* heads......i would think anyway. i've honestly never priced them. but combined with the porting, and adding a 250-300 shot of N20, 150 mph, high 8 sec. should not be out of the question with all other variables in your favor with the main one being traction.

Dave

Keith

I am already doing the math in my head. Working out paychecks, bills and whatnot.

I'll let you guys know what happens.

Ls1LikeNoOther

Thats not unheard of..Its a good number..The old race motor i had before I went Blown Alky was a 540 and I made 1100 hp with Dart 360' and a single dominator...now i make over 1300 with an 8:71 blower ontop of it...