Chevrolet big block vs small block
 

I'm looking for a Chevrolet nova stocker and was wondering if anyone on here could tell me if owning a big block Chevrolet is a lot more costly than running a small block. I have seen a few guys that had B and C/SA nova's that swapped out their big blocks and now run F/SA. I was just curious if this was for costs reasons or something else.

Re: Chevrolet big block vs small block
 

Simple answer YES for many reasons

Re: Chevrolet big block vs small block
 

Talk to my friend Joe Demarzo. He frequents this site and has a Nova that was a BB and he changed it to a SB He’s a very successful racer that has won many races. His car is a very fast H/SA ....He also raced a SB Camaro in the past. He knows the pluses and minuses of racing both engine combinations.,

Re: Chevrolet big block vs small block
 

Rich is right Joe knows.

Re: Chevrolet big block vs small block
 

Thanks for the advice. I sent him a private message.

Re: Chevrolet big block vs small block
 

Love Stock Elim., but it costs $ to run either combo. and try to run at the top of each class. BB stick will put a smile on your face, big dent in your pocket!

Re: Chevrolet big block vs small block
 

Mr Tosto is correct. The decision about how fast you want to be determines more about what you spend than the choice between big block and small block. Ask the Sorenson brothers, they went from nasty fast with a 427 to just as fast with a 396, and now very quick with a 350.


Yes, a block for the big block is $1200 higher, and the rotating assembly is maybe 25% higher. But you can buy new head and intakes for the big block, as well as the carburetor. Honestly, the rest isn't that much difference in price, if you're buying top shelf parts and paying for really good work.


And yeah, the nine second big block is a bigger thrill, if speed does it for you.

Re: Chevrolet big block vs small block
 

I guess the Next question is which BB combinations in NHRA stock specs produce the most HP per Cu in.?? Mopar, Chevy, Ford, Pontiac, Olds. Say from 1969 back? Exclude the multiple carb combo's...

Re: Chevrolet big block vs small block
 

Adger, this is an excellent subject for it's own thread!
The biggest "issue" in a proper comparison is going to be the aftermarket/replacement/superseded parts situation.
But, it would still be a great subject for it's own thread!

Re: Chevrolet big block vs small block
 

Ya know, if you don't want or can't spend a ton of money on a combo, you could always put a 307 in it! There's at least one nut case out there running one.