[NXS]

What is the best production V-8 ever made?

[skeeveman]

Where's the LSx series GM stuff?

[KNIGHT07731]

my 70 454 (bad to the bone)

[killerformula]

I don't know how you could argue that the chevy small block was the best v8 ever made. Just because they made a bunch of them doesn't mean they're the greatest design out there. The only reason the aftermarket ever focused on them so much is because they're common. Heck, only reason I built one was because they're cheap and I didn't have to change motor mounts! Furthermore, I wouldn't say the longevity of a SBC is anything more than average or maybe a little above average. If you want to see a motor you can't kill, how about an olds 350 or a 318 mopar?

SBC's I think have several flaws. The timing cover design was an obvious attempt to save money. They're not a good design at all. The oil pans don't seal well to the front timing cover. The motor is a stock 23 degrees whereas much of the mopar stuff is stock 18 degrees from the factory (see how much its going to cost you to make a SBC into an 18 degree motor). The combustion chambers on most SBC motors are poor and the port design on the heads from the factory is really not that great (considering the exhaust has to make an 180 degree turn from the intake to get out of the head).

That said, the oiling design and valvetrain on the chevy's were pretty good, but to be honest, I think the smallblock mopars had a nicer valvetrain from the factory. The stamped GM stuff for SBC (rocker arms anyway, not to mention cam failures and timing chain problems in the late 70's) is pretty inconsistent. Stock ratio being a 1.5 and many of the factory pieces not measuring even close to that.

SBC for all intents and purposes is a cheap, decent motor. That's why they used it for so long. I wouldn't say its the greatest motor in existence, though.

My vote goes for the rocket 350!

K

[comet boy]

Hey where's the 427 ford cammer and boss 429. that's who i vote for

[BoomerADF]

best in terms of what?

[SAATR]

Well, my vote would go to the gen. 3 sbc. Nothings perfect, but it's a great engine.

[my350camaro84]

personally I'm a big 350 fan myself :-D little terrors

[stepside454]

like Boomer said best in terms of what. MPG? low end torque ? high end HP ? longevity? reliability ? interchangeability? ease of maintanance & repairs ? cost of repairs ? ability to accept performance modifications ? impossible to answer that one. bad poll really

[firestone]

I voted for chevy small block, but only because the LS1/6/7... are GM small blocks. They have a great port design, they are all aluminum from the factory, and they make great hp with relatively small cams (.235 @.050 is really big for an ls1).

Adam

[stepside454]

Fire, your right, the LS1 is a great engine & it is a small block chevy... bu tthan so was the 262, & 267 witch...other than MPG, werent good for much...ok they had okay reliabilty

[Robinson Robin]

chevy sb it's design has proved very flexable through out the decades, has huge aftermarket support,great oiling system,adjustable valve train, good durablity. Its a cheap and fairly simple design that has proved very effective

[granprix76]

Where is the Pontiac 455?? geez

[NXS]

This was a test, this was only a test.

A poll about the "best V-8" and it turned into a discussion about SBC's.

I think in the history of the world there has not been a machine engine as sucessful as the SBC. Over 50 years old and the mainstay of countless models of GM.

Very very few flaws to mention(the 5-7 firing order which Comp Cams has fixed and the timing cover to pan which several aftermarket companies make two piece covers)


CI can vary from 265ci-400 factory.
Virtually equal length runners on the intake make for each cylinder sounding the same and making even HP, great intake and better than average exhaust ports. Supreme interchangeability! rear mount oil pump gotta love it!

[Wildcat66]

I like the Buick Nailhead great old school motor. Tons of low end torque. The coolest looking intake, valve covers and heads ever. The late 60's 401 and 425. Just personal taste from a newbie.