Small block vs. Big block

[Broncs]

I am trying to decide on a crate motor for my Cuda. I am putting a XV stage II suspension on it so it should handle very well! Do I lose handling by putting the weight of a big block in it? Right now I am looking at the Indy 450 magnum with a six pack, or the Indy 500 rb street wedge but not sure which way to go... Any advice will be appreciated !

[aris_unlimited]

General rule of thumb is that the lighter weight of a small block will allow better handling than the heavier big blocks. But remember that other saying "no replacement for displacement", making power with a big block will almost always be cheaper/easier than making the same power with a small block. So decide what you want more, power or handling.

I personally tried to make a compromise. I'm going to stroke out a 5.7 hemi to 392 cubic inches. Hoping to hit my 500hp goals while maintaining the weight loss I got from getting rid of the 440.

[Cooter]

I really don't understand the need for "Handling" But I understand how some could..Personally, I feel the BB Stroker with the appropriate T-bars to make it handle correctly should provide both the power and the handline that is so coveted here...Bang for the buck is a stroker BB..Small blocks are expensive when trying to compete with the HP of a BB...A 500 HP small block will cost WAY more than a 500 HP 440...

[Broncs]

Well I like to drive the mountain twists around here and the XV stage II is supposed to put the e bodies on par with c6 or viper handling.

Indy's 500 bb is $16,000 and has 630 hp. 575 ft. Lbs or torque

The 450 magnum sb is $11,000 has 600 hp. And 550 ft. Lbs

[Broncs]

Who doesn't want to outrun a new vette in a straight line and in the corners that would really be throwing salt in the wound!

[Chryco Psycho]

you could also use a an alum big block with a lot less weight

[HP2]

With the XVL2 set up, you can get any spring rate you want, which means you can make the big block handle just as well as the small block. You just need to know what rates create the balance.  However, the big block will heat up the tires faster and your grip will go away sooner. No big deal if your just a street driver cruising the canyons. This would be baig deal if you were competing on a road course.

[lemming303]

If you really want the handling, then stick with the small block. You gotta remember that a little extra power will kinda even out with the less weight. In other words, you will get more power out of the big block for cheaper, but at the same time you are adding a decent chunk of weight too. You can also do like Neil said and run the aluminum block, although they are pretty expensive.

[GreenFish]

you want a light block? use one of the new hemi motors. They are about 100lbs lighter than a stock 360. Then you can say you have a Hemi and its light, and it will make gobs of power.

[rb70]

Well I like to drive the mountain twists around here and the XV stage II is supposed to put the e bodies on par with c6 or viper handling.

Indy's 500 bb is $16,000 and has 630 hp. 575 ft. Lbs or torque

The 450 magnum sb is $11,000 has 600 hp. And 550 ft. Lbs

I own a vette and a 70 Cuda and you are not going to out handle either the vette or the viper.

But to answer your question, as the saying goes "Nothing like displacement".

Course, if you go SC or TT, I might have to go with a SB.

[HP2]

The big problem with torsion bars is you can only go so big before you run out of choices. With a 400# wheel rate, the biggest torsion bar out there, the small block will outhandle the big block for longer on a stock suspension set up.

Since the XV Level 2 kit uses coil overs on all four corners, you can get any spring rate you want to support the bigger engine. Bigger spring rates equal better support for those bigger engines. Go big block if your willing to step up the spring rates.

Or, like greenfish said, go late model Hemi, get big power and light weight. Just be prepared to pay.

[jvike]

Well I like to drive the mountain twists around here and the XV stage II is supposed to put the e bodies on par with c6 or viper handling.

Indy's 500 bb is $16,000 and has 630 hp. 575 ft. Lbs or torque

The 450 magnum sb is $11,000 has 600 hp. And 550 ft. Lbs

Those 30 hp and 25 ft.lbs cost you five grand? Small-Block hands down, it will beat the BB in a drag with it's lighter package. It will out-handle the BB with the lighter nose and better front-to-rear weight ratio.

I have a 340 and the XV Level II on my 'Cuda. There are a couple of issues that you don't get with the BB or Gen3 Hemi. Fact of the matter is that this system was not designed with the LA engine in mind. In fact I was told by Scott Landis @ XV that my kit was only the second Small block kit ever sold (in 2009). This means you won't find an oil pan or long tube headers for this application. Also the distributor makes it hard to mount the 3-point Engine Compartment Brace. But then again you have $5000 to spare to help you get around those problems.

I modified my stock oil pan, moving the sump some 1.5-2" backwards. Did not need to move the pickup. I might fab an pan that is more Road racing oriented at a later point. Dry sump would be ideal. My TTI headers hit the K-frame. So I tried some blockhuggers, but those hit the offset plates for the engine mounts. So I ended up with some shorty headers for Dodge Durangos. Those made it work, but I'll loose some horses. They are not an option for a 600 hp motor! Your only option are custom headers, but when you got $5000 to spare it can be done. Btw I was told the other smallblock was an twin turbo build in an Road Runner from Canada. The Engine Compartment Brace I haven't figured out yet, will modify it, lifting the bar over the distributor. Can not find an low profile distributor for the LA.