Is a Big Block a bad choice?

[sped]

Thanks guys but I am looking to keep the car looking relatively stock and within a budget so over 500 HP is out. With that much HP you have to change everything. Like I said, I did my racing back in the 1970's, racing today is not as friendly as it was back then. I'd like the shock appeal of opening the hood and seeing a nice orange BIG BLOCK. Having a few extra HP is great but I am not about that, yes I want to dust a few Mustangs (as I called them in the early days Muskrats) but that's about it. If I went with an $18000.00 engine I would not have enough to finish the car within this decade.
Regards,
Ed

 

[Chevrolaine]

Thanks guys but I am looking to keep the car looking relatively stock and within a budget so over 500 HP is out. With that much HP you have to change everything. Like I said, I did my racing back in the 1970's, racing today is not as friendly as it was back then. I'd like the shock appeal of opening the hood and seeing a nice orange BIG BLOCK. Having a few extra HP is great but I am not about that, yes I want to dust a few Mustangs (as I called them in the early days Muskrats) but that's about it. If I went with an $18000.00 engine I would not have enough to finish the car within this decade.
Regards,
Ed

Agreed, I went with a big block just for the nostalgia factor. LS's and small blocks are a dime a dozen at shows and barely get a second look anymore.

For some reason most still ooh and ahh over a bbc. Physical size does matter!

Hardly a bad choice and you'll never regret it!

 

[496z28]

Big Block is King in this Castle! I have 5 big block powered vehicles. Lol Two are LS, and one is a baby sbc. Team chevelle dot com can teach you how to get 500hp EASY out of a 454!! 500 HP from a 454 is as easy as falling off a log! Lol

 

[hhott71]

hhot,, what kind of fuel mileage did you get. I just borrowed my sons 97 1ton Vortec 454 duely and pulled a 8500 pound trailer on pretty flat ground. (only ran 67mph) and averaged 7.2 to 7.5MPG (my little TBI383 with a poor chip in the old 94 will do 8 with the same trailer!) Yes it took the hills like a champ, but it convinced me,, is no place for gas in a tow rig,,,,,
diesel or die!

It was way long a go back arounf=d 1980-86 or so we had a 70 LWB CST/10 with a 402 in it
It got 10 mpg, loaded or unloaded,we didn't tow with it but I did cut a lot of firewood with it for a couple of years. Cutting, splitting delivering and stacking was a job for a young man, glad I was in my early 20's.

 

[roadrace2]

It was way long a go back arounf=d 1980-86 or so we had a 70 LWB CST/10 with a 402 in it
It got 10 mpg, loaded or unloaded,we didn't tow with it but I did cut a lot of firewood with it for a couple of years. Cutting, splitting delivering and stacking was a job for a young man, glad I was in my early 20's.

Ohhhhhh I hear ya hhott71.
But to add to this mix, I have a 1500 series GMC (1986) with a crate 350 (260 hp) - cut, split and load wood up to the brim. Up hills, down hills, gravel, off roads......no issues. Torque down low and the HP to get to the speed limit quickly.

 

[roadrace2]

Ive read the OP's responses.

So, to give my 2 cents, go for a big block, smile when you open that hood and show it off as much as possible.