Yeah the 383/8 speed combo would definitely be a bit of a budget buster. Probably be around $3k for the trans and everything needed to make it work, which isn’t bad I guess compared to a t56 swap or something of the sort.
Small block or big block in a truck?
- Thread starter Clelan
- Start date
-
I have had a few big block trucks. 383/400/440. Nice power and torque. A few 360s and a couple of 318s. I liked the big blocks the best. Kim
The one I got passed by the semi was also a od truck, nice driver empty. I played around with everything from 3.55 to 4.56 gears, it was always slow.
I did have a 76 with the slant, 435 and 3.55 it was a decent all round parts hauler.
My last slant truck was an auto, 3.55 completely gutless, but went like a tank in the snow, because it did not have enough power to spin the tires.
Don't forget the cost of the adapter plate for the 8-speed, because they will not bolt to a big block.
AJ/FormS
68 Formua-S fastback clone 367/A833/GVod/3.55s
- Joined
- Jan 19, 2014
- Messages
- 24,898
- Reaction score
- 12,251
If you are serious about the 2.94s, then you really have no option but lots of cubes. and
The A833, 3+1 also demands a low operating-rpm , so again, that points to big cubes.
But I can almost guarantee you that those same big cubes will blow the 20tooth mainshaft gear to bits within a few hours. And when it blows up, you have no idea where the bits will go. So, if they end up between other gears, then the whole thing quickly turns to junk.
But here's the thing;
2.94s and .73overdrive and 29" tall tires (91"roll-out) is all messed up; it will never work; because 65mph= 1600rpm, and your cammed-up BB will suck gas real bad.
So my advice is, if going BB, forget that 3+1 trans and, probably the 2.94s as well.
The Next bit is this;
The Stockish displacement 360LA falls together at about 10.7 Scr with 63cc heads. Make them alloys and you can run over 185psi cylinder pressure, still on 87E10. So then a 224/230/110 HFTcam will be perfect. Now run the A998/999 (2.74-1.54-1.00) with at least a 2800 stall and 3.23s, for 65mph=2430 rpm in loc-up, and you can make some pretty good mpgs with that.
Will it motor?
Well 13s are in the cards for sure. Pretty quick for an old truck.
Love the 318, 4bbl, 727, 3.55 gears, dual exhaust, 1976 D100 Truck I have.
Total different truck compared to the slant 6, manual 3 spd that was in it.
Guess the '91 318 Roller Engine with the stock 9.2:1 compression and stock 302 closed chamber heads, has something to do with the performance it delivers.
Who knew Non-Ethanol gas would be $4.00 a gallon today. Sitting good, gets decent mileage.
Total different truck compared to the slant 6, manual 3 spd that was in it.
Guess the '91 318 Roller Engine with the stock 9.2:1 compression and stock 302 closed chamber heads, has something to do with the performance it delivers.
Who knew Non-Ethanol gas would be $4.00 a gallon today. Sitting good, gets decent mileage.
Last edited:
2.94 gears are great, keep your foot out of it. If you put a Sure-grip in that 2.94 gear set up it will double the strength of the differential. 4 spiders instead of 2.
Favorite gear ratio for today's highway speeds. A good low end torque engine will walk right through the low rpm range and get you up into the power out on the highway.
-
