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Which way do I go????

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Which way do I go?

  • Build the 307 the way others have and have fun!

    Votes: 3 8.3%

  • Get teh 350 and follow the herd, cheaply

    Votes: 15 42%

  • Big Block, Big Block, Big Block, The kids college next year won't be that expensive

    Votes: 18 50%
  • Total voters
    36
  • Poll closed .
1 - 16 of 16 Posts
P

Part Timer

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Man I don't know what to do now. I have posted on here about my stock 307 and wanting to get more of that thumping cam in it. Not racing it just cruising and occasionally shows but I want it to turn heads when it pulls in. I got some great build tips on the 307 here from a couple guys.:hurray: Then I went to the local speed shop and talked a while and they had me talked into doing the 305 heads and cam etc.... So I thought for the money I could probably build a 350 and I located a couple good cheap candidates to start with. Now a buddy who goes to shows with me and has a big block Cuda starts telling me everyone has a 350. You need to be different. go for a big block! I would love to have a big block but due to the cost difference and the work involved putting it in where my 307 currently sits I am not sure. So here is my question to you:

1.
 
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#2 ·
Do what ever you can afford and will make you happy. IMO thats all that matters.

If you can afford a BB well thats the way I would go. I have had SB in the past but IMO there is nothing like BB torque and power, they also fill in the engine compartment very nicely. When people ask what I have under the hood and I say 427BB I always get the:eek::thumbsup:
 
#4 ·
I voted Big Block, but I meant a 400 small block. Build it for the power you want, torque will be there and the weight will help handling. Don't worry, a trick looking SBC looks great, too.
 
#5 ·
A small 350 will be very easy to build and very easy to get low priced parts for....However there is nothing like the power and looks of a BB. Around here I can get a complete 454 with trans out of a truck for about 400 bucks complete with carb to all the accesories. I buy them as a core and then build them. I just start with a new set of head bolts, freeze plug and gasket kit and your ready to go. You can even continue to use the th350 if you have it.
 
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#7 ·
go to any show, look at a big block chevelle. then go over and look at your small block sitting in the same engine bay. The small block just sort of gets lost in there doesnt it? My chevelle got a big block when we put it together. My 71 elcamino has a 350 (god rest its soul). Its getting a big block transplant in a couple of months. Its really not all that expensive. Im going with the 89 dollar summit headers, and cam. northern auto rering kit, already have all the brackets, pulleys, intake, oilpump, timing kit. Shooting to have it in and running for under $400. If you can score a running big block out of a mid 70's truck, you can get all the brackets/pulleys, etc. then your just a set of headers away. Jim
 
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#10 ·
A 350 is the easiest and that is why most everyone has one, but, Rat is where it's at.
If you never had a 350 go for it and the next time go big.

To beat cubic inches, you need cubic feet.
Squido
 
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#11 ·
I won't vote because I don't follow the herd. Think about what you are going to do with the car and how deep are your pockets when it comes time to fill it up. If it's going to be a daily driver I would go modern like an LS with over drive. When people look under the hood they will be impressed.
 
#12 ·
93-97 LT1, or a 5.3 truck engine.

get a good running low miles lt1 for around 5-600. send the heads out to Lloyd Elliot and have him do a nice port job on them, match it with one of his matching cams, and why not have the intake ported. all this done for about 1700 bucks, make 350whp+ and get 20mpg on the highway..

wish i went that route rather than the current 350 i have now. would have saved me about 1000 bucks.

or a 5.3 from a 99+ chevy truck. can get them off ebay complete running for about 300. put an ls6 intake and cam in it, ls6 valve springs, a 300dollar harness headers are most expensive, and make 400hp on motor and get 20+mpg.

going used, and using factory short blocks is your best bet. if it pops, get another for a few hundred and swap everything over.

aaron
 
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#13 ·
I voted big block but the kids college will rip your bank account a new one.:yes:
 
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#14 ·
I thought big SBC for my 70 Elky with 350.
But I had BBC heads on the shelf from another car....
If not in a hurry you can get all you need of C-L and save a bundle.
I have only a few hundred bucks into a 454 I'll install directly.
Yes, a 350 looks LOST in a 1970 Elky
 
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#15 ·
BBC, tell the kids to take out thier own school loans. After bombing one semester in school, my parents took away my family 'scholarship', wouldn't you know it my grades improved. $60K in loans are 80% paid off 7 years later.

BBC BBC BBC BBC

build it while you still drive what you've got, minimize downtime

good luck!
Mike
 
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