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Path: utzoo!utcs!lsuc!pesnta!hplabs!oblio!jeff
From: jeff@oblio.UUCP (Jeff Buchanan)
Newsgroups: net.auto
Subject: Re: small HP = big block HP?!
Message-ID: <258@oblio.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 11-Feb-85 14:05:20 EST
Article-I.D.: oblio.258
Posted: Mon Feb 11 14:05:20 1985
Date-Received: Wed, 13-Feb-85 15:28:36 EST
Organization: Counterpoint Computers
Lines: 62

This is in response to a letter I got in mail from Art Platz.
I can't reply in mail so I'm putting it on the net.

>
>

	I agree with you that a big block out performs a small block. I just
argue the statement the if you put the same amount of money in you will
get better performance. Have you looked at big block part prices lately?
My friend is in the process of building one. With the money he put in I
could have built 2 good street performers!
	I am a small block fan but I do know about big blocks in fact if my
350 ever blows up I'll build a 427 for my 69' camaro-RS. 


								Art Paltz
							St. Joseph's University
								Phila. Pa. 19131

P.S.  You want to talk about a lack of performance cars. Phila. has none!!
		That is why I go home on the weekends to Edison N.J. 
		Come back with any comments directly through the reply rather than
		follow up!
>
> My response:
>
Dear Art,

Thanks for the response.  Big block or small block, I must say I really
like your attitude about hot cars!  It's so refreshing to hear from some-
one who thinks that a 170 hp turbo 4- banger is not the ultimate
street car.  I can really identify  with a guy like you.

I can't really prove or disprove my assertion that if one has a certain
fixed amount of cash, he can get more HP by paying a little more
and buying a big block and spending little or no extra money on it
compared to buying a small block, buying a roller cam, port the heads,
balance, clearance the bottom end, buy 12-1 pistons, tunnel ram, etc.  I'm sure
that your friend who is building up the big block is spending twice what
a good running small block would cost.  But if you were to take his
motor and put it on a dyno, and take the "good running small block"
and put it on the dyno, are you saying they would produce the same
horsepower?  You asked if I've priced big block parts lately.
As a matter of fact I have: $2468 for an L-88 short block, I don't
know what a set of open chambered heads cost.  And that is list
price.  Anyone with a tax resale number can get one for jobber, about
$2000.  Have you priced small block parts lately?  THey aren't cheap
either!  Theoretically, you could be right if there was a big enough
price difference.  But think about this: how much would it cost to
buy, say, an LT-1 engine assembly from Chevrolet, modify it to produce
530 HP?  If the price is more than about $3000, then I rest my case
because that is about what an open chambered 4-bolt main 454 costs
(excluding bolt-ons like distributor cause they are the same for
big or small block).  Such a 454 will produce 530 HP right out
of the shipping crate for about $3000 (iron heads). I honestly
don't think you can get a small block to do that for $3000 assuming
you start with a brand new out of the crate small block.

I'm glad to hear street racing is alive and well in Philly.
Sure wish it was here in San Jose!

                                Jeff Buchanan