Big Block Conversion, do it again?

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No! I started my BB project before SB crates or Gen III conversions. Way easier these days to build High horsepower Sb.
 
I did it in a 71 Dart years ago. The only thing I hated was the fender well headers, now there are more and better options. Other than that the car was great, PS, column shift and ran great, high 11's with less than ideal traction, with a mild hyd cammed 440. Would I do it again? prob not. I'm a small block guy. I do speculate how fast it would have been with a better suspension under it though...
 
383Scampman said:
No! I started my BB project before SB crates or Gen III conversions. Way easier these days to build High horsepower Sb.
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I was thinking about going BB too, but with a 383 or 400 to make things easier.

So what was it about the conversion that made you answer with a resounding "NO"?
 
Big blocks are nice and torque monsters but weight is a factor and if you go aluminum money is a factor.Straight line brute force- big block,small blocks are a lot more"user friendly"
 
I would say no. I have tried several of the header options ( under chassis, partial & full fenderwell ) there was a Noticeable flow benefit to the fender wells. didn't dyno or do before & after but I could feel a difference. the car also ran cooler with the fender wells. I just wouldn't want to cut another car up to build one. otherwise it wasn't bad.
 
Love big block A bodies. I would never spend the money on a stroker. I'd just put in a big block.
 
If there is a square inch of the engine bay that is not covered with motor then space is being wasted.:D

Nothing like the sound and feel of an uncorked big block....I love mine and it is a big fuzzy pussy cat till you stomp on it's tail. Do that and it becomes that screaming ***** of a mother that gave birth to the hellcat.

That being said.....I would put a 6.2 supercharged lil baby hellcat motor in mine....if I was doing it today.

Mop
 

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Yes because I'm making my own headers and using a motor plate. The mass produced headers for BB/A-body leave a lot to be desired. If gen III hemi swaps ever becomes reasonably priced I'd consider them.
 
Hmmmm. Considering I have yet to put mine in gear I can't give you the full tale. I will say stuffing a 440 under the hood of my 72 and making it appear as though it came from the factory that way had been tough. I kept cast heads but took care of the weight difference with an HDK. TTI headers and full exhaust weren't exactly an exact fit but nothing cut anywhere. Building a small block stroker for the Demon. Some say no replacement for displacement....others can squeeze a bunch of HP out of a SB. Have fun either way!
 
Wow...I was expecting a more positive answer to yes on this one!
I own two original 383 Barracudas 67+69 and am building a 69 Dart Convert 440 4speed GTS "fun" car. I love BB A's as you can tell. I have original manifolds in all my cars and stock trans and linkage etc (two 4 speeds, one Automatic). Even the convert was built to be "as if Dodge built it" So header issues and such are not my concern. Some may say why bother with a BB if your not doing it up to the max..... Well, what I wanted was stock looking cruiser that will drive all day long and just look the restored part. The 440 Dart Rag, does have aluminum heads, intake, water pump, bell housing to lighten it up...should be in the small block weight range. I painted everything Hemi orange on the motor with vintage era chrome valve covers as these cars came...the aluminum parts are hidden. Stock exhaust right through to the tips, red line tires, original BB rads and all...just a show with go if I wanna.
This is just my take on it...I like the Gen 3 Hemi idea, but I just don't care for the look under the hood in a vintage car (just MO)... The performance and all that goes with the Gen 3 conversion would be sweet though... :)
 
yes anything a small block can do a big block does easier. I have a small block magnum in my 68 valiant and I am waiting for it to die. In will go a low deck when it does.
 
Heck ya.. I am doing it now. I am putting a 440 6 pack in my 68 fastback with a 4-sp and a 11" clutch
 

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Absolutely, I'd do it again. As a matter of fact my current project (67 Barracuda convertible) will be getting the 440 that is sitting in the garage. This and my wife's GTS convertible (original 340 car that will always have a 340) may very well be the last cars I build for us, but you never know. The swap is not hard. You also don't need a bunch of expensive parts...
 
It was painful with a few little headaches but I love having the big block in the Duster over the small block. No difference in weight in the Duster with the 383. All the alloy parts help but I do love it and quite easy to work on. I took heads off and put back on quite easily in a space of a few hours.
 
Can't wait to pull the small block and o/d four speed out and put in this 400 with the 308 bearing heavy duty trans. The 70 swinger was originally a /6 automatic car.
 

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Yup, would do it again and again (for the same reasons the boy and I are now building a BB truck for him). :)

Firewallpainted-EngineIn.jpg
 
...............I've did at least 20 something bb swaps in street cars and quite a few bb race car swaps, I would think nothing of doing it again........kim.......
 
70Duster440 said:
Yup, would do it again and again (for the same reasons the boy and I are now building a BB truck for him). :)

Firewallpainted-EngineIn.jpg
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I'm finishing up my Big Block truck now also. Once that is done I'll be starting the Barracuda.

I'm surprised how many "NO" there were. But I'm leaning more toward the big block now.

If I went small block it would probably be a fuel injected 318, with a low ratio 904 trans. But I would need to get both a trans and an engine.

If I went BB, it would be a 383. I have a BB 727 already, so all I need is the 383.
 
Have built several 440 cars over the years. Front tire diameter is my only complaint with
the fender well headers.
Didn't really like the performance or price on my tti under chassis headers. Waste of money.
Never had any pro parts to give a opinion on them.
I really liked my 340 swinger years ago but would never build a small block car ever again.
 
Ive done a couple in my days the first one was back in the late 80s and it was a pita then but things are alot easier now. Im attempting to stuff a brute low deck in a 62 valiant now i havent started a thread but once the mock up stage begins ill get one going.
Aaron
 
I have done it before and I will absolutely do it again. Fenderwell headers are just plain cool. I love obnoxious loud cars. I have also done the small block stroker a body. It was more refined for sure, but there is something about a big block a body......

I have already started accumulating parts for the next car. No car yet though. Anyone have a 69 notch back barracuda for sale?
 
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