Big Block vs Small Block RED

[Bill Baer]

Originally Posted by Tweaker

As I will some day soon look to purchase an RED.. Im curious if I should be totally against looking at SBC RED's or what?

No, you shouldn'e be totally against SBC REDs they are the least expensive to build and maintain and they have the same midplate as a bigblock and if they have the front motor plate for a BBC that could be a plus.
You absolutely can win races with a SBC and on a marginal track the lighter weight and less torque could be an advantage.
However I (and I suspect most super comp racers) consider big MPH as a tactical advantage when driving the finish line and that kind of power requires a BBC usually >500c.i.d.
So consider how you intend to race, will you bracket race, super comp or both?

[Tweaker]

mostly bracket race but it would be nice to run the Quick Rod in the Nitro Jam when they stop at my track.

[JR fuel]

How about a nice small block front motored car 7.34 on motor@183!

[Rollins_2241]

For an affordable 23 degree SBC, the limit is about 8.00. Mine goes about 5.15/8.20 with a good 23deg on pump gas. With higher compression I might be able to squeeze another 40 HP out and get to the 8.0 range.

You absolutely can go 7.50 or quicker with a SBC, but it needs to be of SB2.2 design or use 18 or 15 degree heads. You will save 100 pounds over a big block too. There are several good bracket racers that swear by SBC dragsters, I can give you their names.

[Alan Sargent]

Originally Posted by Bill Baer

No, you shouldn'e be totally against SBC REDs they are the least expensive to build and maintain and they have the same midplate as a bigblock and if they have the front motor plate for a BBC that could be a plus.
You absolutely can win races with a SBC and on a marginal track the lighter weight and less torque could be an advantage.
However I (and I suspect most super comp racers) consider big MPH as a tactical advantage when driving the finish line and that kind of power requires a BBC usually >500c.i.d.
So consider how you intend to race, will you bracket race, super comp or both?

I'm with Bill Baer. Also,IMO, you need a bunch of torque to hit the tires hard enough to get the dragster to hook consistently....the weight of the big block on the back is a plus, too.

[kbcarbman]

I vote Small block - 1700lbs 23 deg. 358 cid 8.30@157 with a camshaft so small you need a magnifying glass to see it!! Some day I may step up the program and buy a racing cam. I still may need to hire a driver...lol KB