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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Engine/Drivetrain => Topic started by: popsthebuilder on May 27, 2013, 10:09:08 am

Title: 402 bbc or 350 sbc
Post by: popsthebuilder on May 27, 2013, 10:09:08 am
So what are the pros and cons of these two engines? I know the sb is easier to find performance parts for, But the bb has more torque, sounds better, and is easier to modify for additional hp/ tq. I think the bbc would also be a better candidate for power adders such at twin turbos, or blower. What are your thoughts. Any opinions are welcome.  Happy Memorial Day to everyone. Even if we don't agree with our governments policies we should still support our armed services, and thank them for the freedoms that we still retain.
Title: Re: 402 bbc or 350 sbc
Post by: 74 C-10 Shorty on May 27, 2013, 10:25:39 am
Personally I wouldn't put a penny into a 396-402 even if I had one, (unless I was doing a numbers matching project)too many 454's out there laying around and both are big blocks so the cost is the same to build, except you have twice the torque and power than a 402(which is .030 396).. After the summer the small block is coming out of mine and a 468 is going in.. 8)
Title: Re: 402 bbc or 350 sbc
Post by: popsthebuilder on May 27, 2013, 10:44:45 am
It's the original engine for this particular truck.
Title: Re: 402 bbc or 350 sbc
Post by: 74 C-10 Shorty on May 27, 2013, 11:34:43 am
Well, if you want to keep it numbers matching put it in, or you could bag it up and put it away and put a 454 in it and if you decide to sell it later you can put the 402 back in for originality..
Title: Re: 402 bbc or 350 sbc
Post by: popsthebuilder on May 31, 2013, 05:37:04 pm
454s are really common. The 402 is smaller but still a big block that can be tuned to put out 400+ horses relatively easily, and you don't see them all of the time. I think it would go well with an equally rare truck. You can get a block for $5-700. That's not too far off from a 350 if I'm not mistaken. Internals might be hard to find. I'm not sure. The truck has a 307 right now so I don't really know exactly what I'm gonna do at this point.
Title: Re: 402 bbc or 350 sbc
Post by: 74 C-10 Shorty on May 31, 2013, 06:20:28 pm
But a 468 will put out way more for the same cost, there are good deals out there on rotating assemblies and a $1.25 decal takes care of the visual aspect and also will turn heads, been down that road many moons ago.. :D
Title: Re: 402 bbc or 350 sbc
Post by: Jason S on May 31, 2013, 11:41:08 pm
What is it that you plan to do with the truck?  In other words, what is the endgame?
Title: Re: 402 bbc or 350 sbc
Post by: popsthebuilder on June 01, 2013, 05:28:00 am
I was thinking about restoring and selling. I don't know if it will bring a good return though, so I may restore and enjoy!
Title: Re: 402 bbc or 350 sbc
Post by: 74 C-10 Shorty on June 01, 2013, 09:12:23 am
Friend of mine restored a 68 all matching numbers and stuff, took him 6 years to do it came out immaculate a total beauty, took him 4 years to sell it and took a beating on it, said he'd never do that again..
Title: Re: 402 bbc or 350 sbc
Post by: werewolfx13 on June 01, 2013, 10:35:53 am
A 402 is a respectable engine, and my personal experience with short stroke BBC engines has been decent. Sure, you can get more ponies and more torque out of a long stroke, but unless you're spending time at the track, whats that extra hp/torque get you other than bragging rights? I'd rather have something different and still be able to drop the hammer and put on a smoke show than be able to claim slightly better track times that personally, I'd never care about anyway. Build it how you want it and enjoy it.
Title: Re: 402 bbc or 350 sbc
Post by: choptop on June 01, 2013, 12:14:25 pm
I agree with werewolfx13, I like different. 350's, 454's, 468's are everywhere.  Yes, you can put a 402 decal on and no one would know difference, but you would. I'm not into deceit . A 402 will propel you down the road just fine and give you something different to talk about.
Title: 402 bbc or 350 sbc
Post by: Macj1983 on June 01, 2013, 06:00:56 pm
Friend of mine restored a 68 all matching numbers and stuff, took him 6 years to do it came out immaculate a total beauty, took him 4 years to sell it and took a beating on it, said he'd never do that again..
I wouldn't build it to make money build it to have fun and a nice truck
Title: Re: 402 bbc or 350 sbc
Post by: 74 C-10 Shorty on June 01, 2013, 06:05:22 pm
Friend of mine restored a 68 all matching numbers and stuff, took him 6 years to do it came out immaculate a total beauty, took him 4 years to sell it and took a beating on it, said he'd never do that again..
I wouldn't build it to make money build it to have fun and a nice truck
That's the only way to do it, he thought he was going to make a bundle doing that, told him he was dreaming but wouldn't listen, oh well lesson learned, LOL...
Title: Re: 402 bbc or 350 sbc
Post by: rich weyand on June 01, 2013, 07:32:15 pm
Yeah, you can buy all sorts of completely restored cars and trucks with zero miles on the restoration at Mecum for less money than the parts in them.  I'm not sure why people do it.
Title: Re: 402 bbc or 350 sbc
Post by: 74 C-10 Shorty on June 01, 2013, 08:02:17 pm
Well, a lot is prestige and then there's the more money than brains factor,lol...
Title: Re: 402 bbc or 350 sbc
Post by: popsthebuilder on June 01, 2013, 08:10:14 pm
Kind of thinking of it as a hobby with a possibility to make a little money.
Title: Re: 402 bbc or 350 sbc
Post by: rich weyand on June 01, 2013, 08:14:28 pm
I think I have the more money than brains thing going on, too, sometimes.  I couldn't sell my truck for what I have in it at this point.  But 1) it is exactly what I want it to be and 2) I did all the little things you don't see, like new Moog ball joints and a good suspension replacement and replaced the cab mount bushings and ....

I actually have it "finished" now, as of this week.  I found OEM-like floor mats that match the stock red interior, and I got the final carb tune under the new cam.  I can't think of a single thing I want to do with it now except drive it.
Title: Re: 402 bbc or 350 sbc
Post by: 74 C-10 Shorty on June 01, 2013, 09:22:35 pm
I think I have the more money than brains thing going on, too, sometimes.  I couldn't sell my truck for what I have in it at this point.  But 1) it is exactly what I want it to be and 2) I did all the little things you don't see, like new Moog ball joints and a good suspension replacement and replaced the cab mount bushings and ....

I actually have it "finished" now, as of this week.  I found OEM-like floor mats that match the stock red interior, and I got the final carb tune under the new cam.  I can't think of a single thing I want to do with it now except drive it.
I don't know about that, you did it the way you wanted it and did it "right" for yourself to enjoy, that says something...
Title: Re: 402 bbc or 350 sbc
Post by: popsthebuilder on June 01, 2013, 09:50:46 pm
More money than brains. That sounds pretty nice. How do you get to that point in life?
Title: Re: 402 bbc or 350 sbc
Post by: 74 C-10 Shorty on June 01, 2013, 10:00:46 pm
Get the money tree to grow.. lol..
Title: Re: 402 bbc or 350 sbc
Post by: rich weyand on June 01, 2013, 10:23:43 pm
If you always spend less than you make, and you do it long enough, sooner or later you have some money set by.
Title: Re: 402 bbc or 350 sbc
Post by: 74 C-10 Shorty on June 02, 2013, 07:05:57 am
And who does that, lol...
Title: Re: 402 bbc or 350 sbc
Post by: popsthebuilder on June 02, 2013, 12:22:55 pm
I guess you could have 5 cents in your pocket and It might be worth more than the 2 cents that come out of your mouth. lol
Title: Re: 402 bbc or 350 sbc
Post by: choptop on June 02, 2013, 01:41:14 pm
If you always spend less than you make, and you do it long enough, sooner or later you have some money set by.

X2..it was a hard road for me to grasp this concept but well worth the trip.
Title: Re: 402 bbc or 350 sbc
Post by: 74 C-10 Shorty on June 02, 2013, 02:06:44 pm
I guess you could have 5 cents in your pocket and It might be worth more than the 2 cents that come out of your mouth. lol
Funny but true.. lol..
Title: Re: 402 bbc or 350 sbc
Post by: Captkaos on June 06, 2013, 11:47:10 pm
FYI a 402 was never offered in any 1973-1979 1/2 Ton, its last year was 1972.
Title: Re: 402 bbc or 350 sbc
Post by: popsthebuilder on June 07, 2013, 07:15:35 am
The 402 would be going in a 72 c20 lwb stepside.
Title: Re: 402 bbc or 350 sbc
Post by: Captkaos on June 07, 2013, 08:25:27 am
If you were building it to sale, unless it came optioned with a BBC it won't gain you anything.  If you plan to make money on it, make it a shortbed, it will go for more money and have a bigger audience for purchase.
Title: Re: 402 bbc or 350 sbc
Post by: popsthebuilder on June 07, 2013, 05:11:32 pm
Thanks for the advise Capm. Still not sure what direction I'm going to go with it. Might just keep the 307 and use it for a work truck and sell the 73. Is the Camper Special Cheyenne Super rare? I can't find any production #'s for them.
Title: Re: 402 bbc or 350 sbc
Post by: Captkaos on June 11, 2013, 04:40:00 pm
Not that I am aware of.
Title: Re: 402 bbc or 350 sbc
Post by: ralphhemi on June 11, 2013, 09:28:05 pm
Take the crank from a 396 or a 402 and get a 454 block, put 427 piston in it and you will have home grown  427 that will wind like a small block, with the torque of a big block