Author Topic: Stay SBC or go BBC  (Read 13718 times)

draugo1971

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Stay SBC or go BBC
« on: June 27, 2010, 09:45:50 am »
I have a 93 YJ that I built mostly for show, since I have an offroad beater Jeep. (YJ discription is in my signature below) I have a 350 sbc that is old and tired and now I am at a turning point. When I look in my engine bay I can see there is plenty of room to drop a BBC 396, 402 or 454 and other than headers the bbc will bolt up to my exsisting 400TH transmission. I have received plenty of attention with the sbc in it but I just want that HOLY CRAP! factor. something many haven't tried to often. I am not to worried with how the rest of my drive trian will hold up since it is a show Jeep and I wont be putting it through punishment to where the bbc will rip stuff apart. As for the weight factor not to worried with it either, because if I use aluminum heads and intake the bbc wont weigh in any more than a full metal jacket sbc. As I said I am just looking for that "take your breathe away WOW! factor". So do keep my sbc which if I do I will stroke to a 383 or just find a 400 sb, or do I just go the extra mile and do the bbc like I am thinking?
97 Jeep TJ Wrangler. It's not just a Jeep, It's like one of my children!!!

hillbilly

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Re: Stay SBC or go BBC
« Reply #1 on: June 27, 2010, 09:57:44 am »
if your going for the WOW factor , stroking a 350 nobody will know but you, and in most honesty only 5% will notice a difference between a small block and big block in a show jeep. but the real question is why do it if you aint gonna use it. but a bbc might just be too much in a yj.
build it, beat it, break it, fix it, repeat
A member of the church requests to be buried in his jeep because "It ain't never been in a hole it couldn't get out of."
   91 xj 8.5" lift -33" x 12.50 and my own additions
 94 xj (wifes) 3.5" lift and the boys 1979 cj7

Davew

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Re: Stay SBC or go BBC
« Reply #2 on: June 28, 2010, 06:55:19 pm »
A Rat Engine will definitely get the WOW factor. Not practical for a Jeep in any situation but definite wow factor.  If you are looking for TRUE WOW go for a 426 Hemi. Now that something you never see.
Stupidity, if left untreated is self-correcting

twdjeepgod

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Re: Stay SBC or go BBC
« Reply #3 on: June 29, 2010, 07:57:48 am »
i run a bbc in my tj-uggy, it def was a good choice for me. mine is used on trails so i wanted the extra torque that a bb provided, i did run a sbc for about a month but i came across this engine and thought "there is no replacement for displacment" ;D

and as far as "not pratical for a jeep in any situation" i think you need to readdress that comment! i can think of many situations that my engine has been the deciding factor when doing a steep hill climb or on steep granite wall climbs. these are the things i do with my jeep. and the added power plus torque has made all the difference in the world for me. i also run 2 steering rocks / 44" tires a 4spd with a 203/205 doubler linked frt and rr so maybe i am alittle bit ahead of you in the difficulty factor on trails?  :o


just for WOW! factor, yeah it would gain that in many car /jeep shows. but honestly only the true gear heads would appreciate it

good luck
97' tj: rocked, locked and big blocked

draugo1971

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Re: Stay SBC or go BBC
« Reply #4 on: June 29, 2010, 08:31:48 am »
A 426 Hemi would indeed be something awesome but finding one or trying to get someone off of a 426 is like trying to pull a tooth from a lion.

A 427 would be just as cool but again also hard to find or get ahold of.

I understand why some people would think a bb in a jeep is a bit extreme... but it is very rare, It would surely set it apart.

I don't mean to say I would never use it, just not to the extreme. Not unless I change my axles to handle it. (which I might :-P)

As for only 5% noticing the differance between a sbc and a bbc, I would have to wonder about that. The sure size differance is staggering. A sbc in a yj leaves alot of room as a bbc would fill the engine bay but still fit nicely, even though I would have to change spark plugs through the front wheel wells LOL Oh and not let us forget the sound of a rat engine is profound and unique just as a Harley Davidson. Just cant mistaken it!

My original plan was BB and steered away from it cause many said it wasnt practical for the weight factor alone, I have felt a bit empty since. I feel its like many things in life we seem to just not do because of some reason or another, but then we go through life saying or wondering "What If?" I remember as a kid sitting back watching friends taking a jump off a local hill that was 20 some feet above the water and didnt try it because it didnt seem safe and others saying it wasnt practical. Then when I turned 25 I got the guts to take the plunge and after I thought of all the time I had robbed myself of the fun and thrill of doing this. I just feel this is another one of those times. Just think about it for a moment, what would turn your head quicker a Jeep lifted as high as mine with 35" to 37" tires with all the goodies, which we see all the time and have become use too seeing even alot with v8's OR! one with all that and the profound one of a kind rumble that a bbc makes, I dont know about you but I think my heart would skip a beat. It would be like Jessica Alba walking into a room your in, YOUR JUST GOING TO NOTICE!
97 Jeep TJ Wrangler. It's not just a Jeep, It's like one of my children!!!

etaucher

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Re: Stay SBC or go BBC
« Reply #5 on: June 29, 2010, 11:36:58 am »
......Keep on Trucking......
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1993 Jeep Wrangler, 4.0L, Auto, 2" Shackle Lift, 31x10.50R15
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Edward Taucher

Davew

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Re: Stay SBC or go BBC
« Reply #6 on: June 30, 2010, 08:39:30 pm »
and as far as "not pratical for a jeep in any situation" i think you need to readdress that comment! i can think of many situations that my engine has been the deciding factor when doing a steep hill climb or on steep granite wall climbs. these are the things i do with my jeep. and the added power plus torque has made all the difference in the world for me. i also run 2 steering rocks / 44" tires a 4spd with a 203/205 doubler linked frt and rr so maybe i am alittle bit ahead of you in the difficulty factor on trails? 

Yeah your way ahead as far as difficulty on trails, but I stand by what I said. You are more a rock buggy than a Jeep at this point.

Stupidity, if left untreated is self-correcting

MUDDY

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Re: Stay SBC or go BBC
« Reply #7 on: July 05, 2010, 11:28:48 am »
found this
Trading Real 426 Hemi for large Generator or VW TDI (Pa)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: 2010-06-05, 10:14AM EDT
Reply to: sale-r7suu-1776409462@craigslist.org [Errors when replying to ads?]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


I will trade my 426 Hemi for diesel generator or a VW TDI diesel car. No tiny single cylinder units please, I need a descent size DIESEL gen set or stand alone or tow behind unit. This is no crate motor. REAL 1960's 426 HEMI motor. PLEASE FIND ME A GENERATOR or Diesel VW AND IT'S YOURS. Would also consider solar panel or wind turbine installation here at our farm for the Hemi engine.
I am in need of a four 4 by 4 four wheeler or 6 wheel all terrain quad or Argo style Four, Six or Eight wheeler, Jitny, Gator Etc.. for my farm. Also would be interested in VW TDI Diesel. My number is 717-435-6372 Thanks. Thank You

717-435-6372
98 grand cherokee mild liFT
97 CHEVY 3IN LIFT

76cj7

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Re: Stay SBC or go BBC
« Reply #8 on: July 12, 2010, 07:50:13 pm »
I would stay with the 350. you can do a lot to a small block chevy for cheep. I just got done puting one in my 77 buick regal and it didnt cost much and its got a LOT of power...plus its lighter :)
Connor Hofford
1976 cj7 4" rough country lift