[454C10]

My truck has a 3.08 gear. I can drive it to work and not go over 2000 rpms. Yet it still gets 8 mpg. The sbc in the same situation gets around 11 or 12. Seems like enough gearing to me.

It's no mystery that a BBC is not an efficient engine. I'm just letting the original poster know that BBCs are thirsty. However, since it is not a daily driver it will not matter that much.

[AutoGear]

Originally Posted by matt406

ok the old man is right . but i still like the 400 sbc more especially with the new big stroker assembellys available today. thank you for your info.

You do know they make some killer BBC stroker kits now too? These days, life starts at 496 for the big block guys. And personally, I wouldn't trust many of the 400 blocks left around these days, they've been pretty picked over. And, many prefer the 2 bolt main version to the 4 bolt.

[matt406]

well i have a virgin 509 blockn thats been maged and hot tanked got it for a 100 dollars. got a new eagle crankshft for 130.00 and scat procomp rods 6" for 195.00 . i dont have really have the cash for a big block. it is going to be a daily driver. so fuel milge and performance will be in consideration.

[vinniekq2]

for fuel economy and performance,start with the heads and fuel management

[matt406]

i was thinking vortec heads ported polished 2.02 1.60 valves stainless valves screw in studes and guid plates and a holley carb

[vinniekq2]

build the heads,get them ported and flow tested.2.02 valves may not be required,,,when you have flow numbers you can piece the rest together. pre determine what you want for fuel economy first though???

[idontdrivericeieatit]

I read a lot of stuff bout the vortec from alot of places and they all say 2.02 vavles dont help stay with 1.94 just go to 1.60 on exhaust vavle but before I would spend all that money on vortec heads I would buy a aftermarket set of heads that are alot better vortec are not a real good head unless u talking stock stuff they better than most stock gm heads but thats not saying much by time you buy the head port polish have spring pocket clearence for a real spring. Buy all new springs and vavles Do screw in studs u could buy set of dart heads or some other aftermarket head that will outflow them and make more power

[454C10]

vortecs also require the use for vortec rockers, vortec valve covers, and a vortec intake. So, the price goes up if you already have these parts for a non-vortec head.

I would get a set of edelbrock performer heads or maybe a set of dart iron eagles. The vortecs are good but consider all the extra money you will spend to use them.

[E.Furgal]

Originally Posted by 454C10

vortecs also require the use for vortec rockers, vortec valve covers, and a vortec intake. So, the price goes up if you already have these parts for a non-vortec head.

I would get a set of edelbrock performer heads or maybe a set of dart iron eagles. The vortecs are good but consider all the extra money you will spend to use them.

the valvecovers any chevy small block valve cover from '87 up..
cheap as dirt at a junk yard.. same with the vortec rockers if you are going to compair him reuse'n the ones he has over buying new..
the intake, yup.. got to be vortec style.. but I'm willing to bet the edel heads cost more than the vortecs AND the intake compined...
not to many people buy'n new heads and reuse'n the old rockers and pushrods,, kinda a moot point.. same with the dirt cheap valvecovers

[matt406]

well i have a machinist that will sell me a set of 906 vortec heads fully ported and polish with 2.02 &1.60 valves with screw in studes guid plates .550 lift springs for 600.00 out the door with no core charge. he said i wont need the vortec roller rockers with the guid plates. im wanting peak torque at 3900 rpm.i think dart heads are twice that.