Keep the 454 or go 350??

[crazy4offroad]

Comparing a K truck to a C truck, to a 4runner, to their friggin bayliner or whatever is rediculous. If you take a K10 longbed/350/th350 and K20 longbed 454/TH400, or whatever OD trans you want but THE SAME in each, that would be a more likely comparison. And comparing snow plows isnt the same either. You're working the truck, pushing a load. The 454 will work easier than the 350 no argument from me. But if you have 2 trucks side by side, 2WD, longbeds, one with 350 the other with 454, both with OD trans I REALLY doubt the 454 beating the 350 on fuel economy. Comparing a 4WD with a 350 and unknown gears/t-case/tire size to a 2WD with 454, again with unknown gears/tire size is not a real comparison. More rotating parts in the t-case robs hp and hurts fuel economy. I mean if you want to play the argument that way let's compare a 3+3 dually 4x4/454/4.56 gears to a SWB 2WD/350/3.08 gears and see who comes out on top there.

 

[hirschdalechevy]

Strangely enough, everyone makes valid points about this arguement, but I think everyone would agree, even the BBC lovers, that dollar for dollar, pound for pound, cu in for cu in, a SBC 350 can't be beat. For those who want a 454, you're gonna pay for it, double or more, what you can get a 350 for. That to me makes the extra 104 cubic inches very expensive. I myself prefer a 350, but if I had a Crew Cab dually, or a 3/4 ton Burb, I'd prefer a 454 in them, but they also wouldn't be my DD.

I agree in some way's , but if you have two motors sitting in your yard to build (one sb and one bb) for your 1975 k-10 daily driver , let's say , I would go with the big block. Why?
eagle rotating ass.
bb 918.95
sb 757.95
comp cam
bb 129.95
sb 115.95
rocker's (roller tip)
bb 167.95
sb 159.95
And so on
machine work , bb and sb same cost.So really the two are not that big of a difference in cost to build and the out come would be close to the same mileage in a heavy truck when driving as such but when you wanted to tow or just haul ass you have the bb monster under the hood for not really much more money , but much more fun.
Although the monster has been known to eat turbo 350's and 1/2 ton rear end's.

 

[bucket]

I think we can agree that there is no correct answer to this sbc/bbc mpg debate. Just suggestions based on the intended use of the truck and the parts that are available for use.

 

[oneluckypops]

I agree in some way's , but if you have two motors sitting in your yard to build (one sb and one bb) for your 1975 k-10 daily driver , let's say , I would go with the big block. Why?
eagle rotating ass.
bb 918.95
sb 757.95
comp cam
bb 129.95
sb 115.95
rocker's (roller tip)
bb 167.95
sb 159.95
And so on
machine work , bb and sb same cost.So really the two are not that big of a difference in cost to build and the out come would be close to the same mileage in a heavy truck when driving as such but when you wanted to tow or just haul ass you have the bb monster under the hood for not really much more money , but much more fun.
Although the monster has been known to eat turbo 350's and 1/2 ton rear end's.

Your forgetting 1 very important part of a build. The heads, if your gonna build power the only choice you have with the BB is aftermarket heads, which are crazy. If your gonna build power with the SB you can go with the vortec heads for ALOT LESS money.

to each there own i guess. But personally a 454 is a ******* boat anchor.

Tell you what you take 3,000 dollars and build your car or truck with a 454, then I will take 3,000 and build the same type of car or truck with a 350 and I will win. How will i win? Its really pretty simple, I can build my motor and save enough of the 3,000 that I can use the rest of it in the drivetrain.

 

[Bagged Dually]

WOW. I really didn't mean to start a huge debate, but I have without even meaning to started a BBC vs. SBC battle. I'm kinda liking all the strongly opinionated people making valid points back and forth.
In the mean time I got my headers ordered for the 454 and got my emissions off. Now I'm thinking about going to a good 4 barrel and intake. Any suggestions on brand?? Square bore or spread bore??

 

[oneluckypops]

WOW. I really didn't mean to start a huge debate, but I have without even meaning to started a BBC vs. SBC battle. I'm kinda liking all the strongly opinionated people making valid points back and forth.
In the mean time I got my headers ordered for the 454 and got my emissions off. Now I'm thinking about going to a good 4 barrel and intake. Any suggestions on brand?? Square bore or spread bore??

lol heres another strong opinion carbs suck!! inject it, better MPG, easier starting, just plain better.

 

[davbell22602]

Go manual choke on a edelbrock carb. Manual choke carb starts easy also. Fuel injection is overrated IMO.

 

[Bagged Dually]

what CFM does a 454 need out of a carb?? I've heard everything from 600 to 750 Double pumper. It's just a stock 454 with headers and some bolt ons later on down the road.

 

[HotRodPC]

Your forgetting 1 very important part of a build. The heads, if your gonna build power the only choice you have with the BB is aftermarket heads, which are crazy. If your gonna build power with the SB you can go with the vortec heads for ALOT LESS money.

to each there own i guess. But personally a 454 is a ******* boat anchor.

Tell you what you take 3,000 dollars and build your car or truck with a 454, then I will take 3,000 and build the same type of car or truck with a 350 and I will win. How will i win? Its really pretty simple, I can build my motor and save enough of the 3,000 that I can use the rest of it in the drivetrain.

Pros and Cons again, using Vortec heads you have a short valve lift restriction, so if you want to run a .525 lift, 310 degree duration cam that would flat lope off the motor mounts, you can't use Vortec heads without some high dollar machine work, so you may as well go with aftermarket heads also. I think the lift limit with Vortec heads is like .470 which about the high side spectrum of an RV cam, and to get a small block to perform with the BBC, you need a big cam, and high compression . I personally prefer small blocks, but that's only because like the challenge of building a small package that will flat raise hell, and turn 7000-8000 rpm and stay together. Bottom line, it all comes down to preferance. I know guys with some impressive BBC's and I do know even more people with impressive SBC's and thats only becaue SBC's are cheap as dirt to modify, and they do hold up if built right. Then you also have those people into electronics and injection which there are many impressive vehicles there too.

 

[HotRodPC]

Go manual choke on a edelbrock carb. Manual choke carb starts easy also. Fuel injection is overrated IMO.

Wrong Answer there. Injection is far from overrated. It only gets a bad name from those who don't understand the complexity and the electronics involved, past that, injection will outlast a carb, burn cleaner than a carb, more power than a carb, and more mpg than a carb. The 1 and ONLY thing a carb has over injection is the simplicity and that's it period. I'd take injection over a carb on a 0 degree anyday of the week in December thru February. Injection also does not have vapor lock issues. The advantage of injection are endless if your willing to spend the funds and time to set it up.

 

[HotRodPC]

Go manual choke on a edelbrock carb. Manual choke carb starts easy also. Fuel injection is overrated IMO.

what CFM does a 454 need out of a carb?? I've heard everything from 600 to 750 Double pumper. It's just a stock 454 with headers and some bolt ons later on down the road.

If its stock, with stock cam, stock compression and Peanut Port OEM heads, I'd just go with a 600-650 CFM. But, you're not going to be overdoing it with a 750 either if you have the carb set right. If you have happen to have either one, go with it, or know a buddy willing to give you one, take it and rock with it. If you're going to buy one and intend to keep it basically stock, I'd go with the 600-650 for practicality reasons.

 

[Bagged Dually]

Thanks a lot HotRod

 

[WHEELMAN]

every one is taking the double pumpers off.they are only good if you are going to race..the edlebrock 4bbl electric choke is the way to go..600cfm or a 650cfm

they are bullet proof..save some gas..

 

[WHEELMAN]

i love all the gas mileage crap..it is funny..

350v8 small engine..454v8 big engine..vehicles totally stock one might
beat the other one on gas mileage..built and set up front to back

might make things..different..you just cant beat a big block.it is not just the HP
it is the size.that big motor..all those extra rpm if you need them.from stock.
i dogged so many big blocks.back in the seventies..

not one came apart.you look at a 350v8 side ways.and something breaks..sure you can build a 350..and make it better.and stronger-spend a ton of money..but i would just buy a stock big block and dress it up..

the sound..of the big block..cant beat it..the difference is like.a 1340 harley engine and a sportster..engine..you just can not make a big block out of a small block..

i say this.if you cant afford to drive it.dont buy it..go get one of those little 4 banger hondas..

 

[hirschdalechevy]

Your forgetting 1 very important part of a build. The heads, if your gonna build power the only choice you have with the BB is aftermarket heads, which are crazy. If your gonna build power with the SB you can go with the vortec heads for ALOT LESS money.

to each there own i guess. But personally a 454 is a ******* boat anchor.

Tell you what you take 3,000 dollars and build your car or truck with a 454, then I will take 3,000 and build the same type of car or truck with a 350 and I will win. How will i win? Its really pretty simple, I can build my motor and save enough of the 3,000 that I can use the rest of it in the drivetrain.

WRONG , I have only one bad boy bb with aftermarket heads , all the rest I use the early model ,(stock) big oval port heads , (same price for machine work as sb) and I really dont think 440hp and 510lbs tq. for a mild cammed , pump gas 454 is a ******* boat anchor.
I would love to build your two 3,000 dollar motor's and really see what happen's , but I already know the out come !




As for carb 0n a 454 , jet q-jet is what I use on a mild bb (750 cfm) , works great for power and mileage.