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BB vs SB vs LS vs Modular(Enter at your own risk!)

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#21 ·
In existance:
SBC 50 some odd years
BBC 40 some odd years
Modular 20 some odd years
LS 10+ years

Give the ls stuff time. In the limited time they have been arround they have given quite a few bloody noses. Once big cube ls engines become available and not so costly, they will be the rule not the exception. Modular $hit has too small of a displacement to be competitive without money. Unless ford stops making their first knee jerk reaction, to gm's increasing power, to add power adders, they wont have a need to make bigger cubes. SBC and BBC arent going anywhere anytime soon. Once the millions of blocks start getting scarce and the easiest solution for a sbc/bbc block becomes aftermarket blocks, then they will start to fall by the wayside.

Theres a whole generation of people who live and die by modulars and ls engines, without much care for bbc/sbc stuff. Its a new market, and is very popular. Better get used to getting beat by some of that stuff.
 
#22 ·
MrBill66Malibu said:
The addition of a six speed is not going to 3X his gas mileage
Click to expand...
No it won't, but add the fuel injection that the LS motor has, the same rear gear ratio, and vehicle weight, and the 489 BB will come much closer to getting the same gas mileage with that double overdrive 6 speed trans, and with the 100 extra cubes of displacement, will propel the vehicle quicker.So let's look at apples to apples here.... otherwise, the comparisons are worthless (kinda like this thread will turn out to be...sorry, no offense intended to the O/P....)
 
#23 ·
Just remember that the LS and Mod motors are the new kids on the block (pun intended) lol, SBC's have been around for almost 60 years and the BBC has been around for 45 years.
Look at were the LS motors power levels are and where will they be in a few years.

The future is here weather you like it or not!!! Hang on because it will be a wild ride!!!

God I love this topic!!! LOL :beers:
 
#24 ·
I have to agree with jamie (69chevellesupersport) he said exactly what I was going to and no offense to anyone but I am so freakin sick of hearing about the ls motors probably because I can't afford one but then again in this hobby the one with the most money wins
 
#25 ·
For the retro look, YES. I have a one owner 70-LS-5/ M-22 and a LS-5 in my daily driver. Big Blocks look KOOL in the retro cars.
If you want to go fast, Without question it is the new LS engines.
My new 010 -1/2 ton 1500 Silverado has the 6.2 engine or 413 HP. at the rear wheels and will run a 9.69 in the 1/8 mile, it is close to 6000 lbs. Also my new truck with a 6 sp. auto shifts at " 5800 " and it runs on 87 Oct. fuel.
How about compairing a 70-LS-6 Coupe to a new Vette.
Two members of ACES that have LS engines and get Mid 20s on fuel milage.. Ernies Black wagon with an LS engine and the primer Vell ( this car gets 22 MPG in 5 th. can not use 6th. road speed would be to high.) from Fla. with and LS engine.
yes I love the old B.Block Chevys. In the world of speed and being efficent. Both of my 70s are kinda like a Dinosaurs waiting to be eaten by the new " LS " monster.
" The King is dead, Long live the King "
Bob
 
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#26 ·
68KMENO said:
small block size BIG block power LS7 design features:

* 427 cid/7.0 L bore 4.125 in/104.8mm and stroke 4.00 in/101.6mm
* The LS7 used titanium intake and hollow-stem sodium filled exhaust valves to keep them cooler and reduce the chance of pre-detonation due to a hot valve.
* Forged steel crankshaft and main bearing caps.
* Forged titanium connecting rods
* Dry sump oil system.

and thats before putting any of MANY different power adders on one !!

anybody ever hear the saying walk softly an carry a BIG STICK ;)
Click to expand...
don't forget the CNC heads that flow more than most BBC heads with a 220cc ish runner.
 
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#27 ·
I'll take my ZL-1 489 over an LSX anyday of the week. This engine can compete with any NA LS motor. Most guys won't do it because it's not economical. I'm not dismissing the killer technology and hp per cube of the LS. I'm simply pointing out that a BBC can still compete at the highest level.
 
#28 ·
67EC said:
For lower power levels the LS/LQ engines are king for cheap. For 1000whp+ bbc is cheaper and probably more reliable given the same cost. Ive got a turbo bbc and turbo LQ and the bbc makes alot more power alot easier. The LQ could do it but it would cost alot more.
Click to expand...
bingo

The answer depends on the desired end result and whether you want to run pump gas or race gas to reach the power level desired.

My next engine might be LSx but it will take a turbo to run 10.30's at 3750 lbs shifting at 6200 like my BB does now or a 454" LSx.
 
#31 ·
Bob West said:
Make mine big block, power adders/economy would have to go to the LS based motors. Its hard to argue with Larry Larsons performance though, 632 cubes of turbo charged big block chevy ;)
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Larry Larson.....that Youtube vid from Vegas last November is unbelieveable. Blast off a 204 run then go cruise the strip...just cool....
 
Discussion starter · #32 · (Edited)
66360horse said:
Ls7 427=$17000 more than 3 times what I have in my entire car
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This is why it will take YEARS for the LS to catch up.
And if i may make another point, the ONLY reason the LS will ever exceed the BBC is due to it not being a production engine. If GM had stuck with researching and developing new Big blocks then the LS would be a speck in the Big Blocks lake.:yes: If GM ever applied LS technology to a BB platform it would be insane. 40 year old tech is still enough to beat the "new kid on the block" though.. Thats whats so very sad......


"Once the millions of blocks start getting scarce and the easiest solution for a sbc/bbc block becomes aftermarket blocks, then they will start to fall by the wayside." In like 100 years....:D




So IMO for the time being...
BB > LS > SB > modular
 
#34 ·
It depends on the power level desired. This is a topic that is much too broad and vast to pick one winner, or one superior design. It isn't merely a matter of a "dinosaur vs. modern technology".:noway: Those labels and catogorizations don't even scratch the surface, and are incomplete and vague at best. :rolleyes: For instance, if I ever want to make really big power, and I want "modern technology", I would use a "modern" aftermarket tall deck block with main priority oiling, Oliver I beam rods with L-19 rod cap bolts, Bryant crank, a Lenco or G-force trans, 4" carbon fiber Driveshaft, and either a FAB 9 or Modular rear end housing with gun drilled 40 spline axles. THAT IS TECHNOLOGY. :yes:
 
#35 ·
GM spent 1 billion dollars developing the lsx engine, and had 40 years of experience and data on hand to use. I think its is VERY unfair to the sbc and bbc to compare them to an lsx. VERY unfair

POWER
Makes the most N/A - CID for CID, the Lsx kills the sbc and bbc

Makes the most with a power adder - they make the same amount with a power adder. the power adder makes the difference, not the engine platform. case in point, way back in 1986, buddy ingersoll was running 7s at 190+ mph with his twin turbo buick at 286 cubic inches . if racing is introduced, the BBC has a big disadvantage because of weight penalties, and turbo size penalties. if the turbo is limited to say 88mm, the smaller displacement engine will have more of an advantage.

MPG
Which one can make the power and save some green at the pump - without question, the LS

COST
Which one will give you the power and not break the bank
Which is the best deal at these hp ranges.
300-500 cost about the same, LS1 will come in the lightest for the same cost, followed by an sbc, with the bbc coming in last place by about 150lbs. so, the same 400 hp, the bbc is already slower because it has a 150lb penalty, on the nose of the vehicle. Reliability advantage will go to the lsx.

500-700, again, cost is approximately equal, this time, the sbc will be lightest with alum heads, then the LSx, then the bbc


700-900, and 1000+hp
it will cost the same, ie MONDO money. competition rules will favor the small blocks.

Feel free to change these guidlines if they are not satisfactory. Let the discussion begin!!!:hurray:
 
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#36 ·
71 chevy said:
GM spent 1 billion dollars developing the lsx engine, and had 40 years of experience and data on hand to use. I think its is VERY unfair to the sbc and bbc to compare them to an lsx. VERY unfair

POWER
Makes the most N/A - CID for CID, the Lsx kills the sbc and bbc

Makes the most with a power adder - they make the same amount with a power adder. the power adder makes the difference, not the engine platform. case in point, way back in 1986, buddy ingersoll was running 7s at 190+ mph with his twin turbo buick at 286 cubic inches . if racing is introduced, the BBC has a big disadvantage because of weight penalties, and turbo size penalties. if the turbo is limited to say 88mm, the smaller displacement engine will have more of an advantage.

MPG
Which one can make the power and save some green at the pump - without question, the LS

COST
Which one will give you the power and not break the bank
Which is the best deal at these hp ranges.
300-500 cost about the same, LS1 will come in the lightest for the same cost, followed by an sbc, with the bbc coming in last place by about 150lbs. so, the same 400 hp, the bbc is already slower because it has a 150lb penalty, on the nose of the vehicle. Reliability advantage will go to the lsx.

500-700, again, cost is approximately equal, this time, the sbc will be lightest with alum heads, then the LSx, then the bbc


700-900, and 1000+hp
it will cost the same, ie MONDO money. competition rules will favor the small blocks.

Feel free to change these guidlines if they are not satisfactory. Let the discussion begin!!!:hurray:
Click to expand...
I will give you mpg and weight, but I thought we were talking power here?

With restrictions the lsx is the winner.;)
 
#37 ·
For a daily driver that is fast I just couldn't pass up a 2000 Z/28.

Those that want LS powered cars, its not expensive.:noway:

I paid $5200 dollars for a 8 year old car with 97,000miles on it, and had my dad deliver it 500 miles.

All that has been done in the 8,000 miles since is changing the belt. I took it on a 1500 mile road trip and got 25-29 mpg while cruising through the mountains of PA,WV,VA, and NC at 80mph with the A/C on.:)

The powerband is great, you can cruise at 1400rpm at 60 while going up hills or drive like a madman and shift at 6K, it pulls everywhere.

If you are trying to build a all out drag car then go BBC, but if you're going for a cruiser/daily driver look at the LS.
 
#38 ·
70 bird said:
I will give you mpg and weight, but I thought we were talking power here?

With restrictions the lsx is the winner.;)
Click to expand...
yes, in the real world(where there are restrictions), the lsx is the winner.

now, if we took all restrictions out, including cost, you throw enough money at any engine to make any amount of power.
 
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#39 ·
My car has 350 SBC, 6 speed, lowered, 3.55 rear, EFI system tuned lean under cruise, lots of vac advance, etc. Horrible fuel economy! I wish I had an LS so I could drive my car more. I'm sure one day I will switch.
 
#40 ·
bzack said:
My car has 350 SBC, 6 speed, lowered, 3.55 rear, EFI system tuned lean under cruise, lots of vac advance, etc. Horrible fuel economy! I wish I had an LS so I could drive my car more. I'm sure one day I will switch.
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Whats horrible? That combo you listed in good tune should easily pull down in the 20+ mpg range. Anything less and I'd have to believe the car is horribly out of tune or something in the combo is way off. My 505 has a 5 speed behind it and 3.73 gears. On the highway I can pull down almost 20mpg and probably can get 20 or a bit more if I keep it at a reasonable speed and my foot out of it.

Jeff
 
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