Small Block - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Buddy2 · 05-13-2015, 01:36 PM

I have heard the L99 referred to as a small block engine. What defines an engine as small block vs. big block? Is it cubic inches, or the physical size of the block? What is the advantage of one over the other?
Thanks in advance for helping out a rookie.

Bhobbs · 05-13-2015, 01:39 PM

It's the bore spacing and other dimensions. 4.40 inches between bore centers for the small block and 4.84" for the big block. The big block also has a taller deck for longer stroke.

Small block is smaller and lighter. Big block allows for a larger cylinder bore which means more displacement.

Firefighter · 05-13-2015, 01:40 PM

I assume you know that there was a SBC and a BBC. Back then it was easy to differentiate one was bigger than the other.

The LS series shares some dimensions with the original SBC so that is why they sometimes get called a SBC.

In reality it's just a Chevy (GM) V8...

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Quicksilver-SS · 05-13-2015, 01:42 PM

Small Block 265 cid - 400 cid
Big Block 396 cid- 454 cid
In the old school days.

SSeniorMoment · 05-13-2015, 01:48 PM

Kinda like the difference between a mouse and a rat.

pyroguy · 05-13-2015, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quicksilver-SS

Small Block 265 cid - 400 cid
Big Block 396 cid- 454 cid
In the old school days.

Biggest small block I've heard of is a 472c.i. They're really pushing the limits of what the material that engines are built out of today.

Mels RS · 05-13-2015, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quicksilver-SS

Small Block 265 cid - 400 cid
Big Block 396 cid- 454 cid
In the old school days.

Don't forget the big block 348 cid!

Buddy2 · 05-13-2015, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mels RS

Don't forget the big block 348 cid!

I had a 348 back in the day. It was stuffed in a '57 Chey. I loved that thing till I blew a piston.
Funny how cars bring back memories.

Firefighter · 05-13-2015, 10:24 PM

Wasn't the 348 a tall deck or something? I remember there being something odd about it.

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jimlem · 05-14-2015, 05:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pyroguy

Biggest small block I've heard of is a 472c.i. They're really pushing the limits of what the material that engines are built out of today.

What about the Caddy 502 cu. in. (I think that's right). Used to be in all the ambulances built off the Caddy platform too, in the old days.

Edit: Sorry I just read your sentence again and saw you were discussing SMALL blocks. My bad.

Firefighter · 05-14-2015, 05:31 AM

IIRC Caddy had a 472 and a 502. Those were different though. Chevy has a 502 but it is a GMPP part.

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Sir Nuke · 05-14-2015, 06:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Firefighter

Wasn't the 348 a tall deck or something? I remember there being something odd about it.

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yep.....it was called a W block code.....only two engines built with that specific configuration was the 348 and the 409. it was very obvious when you looked at them as the valve covers looked like upside down W's

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Buddy2 · 05-15-2015, 12:53 PM

Thanks guys. I always appreciate the help and information. I'm always learning something here.
Jim

rberns · 05-15-2015, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sir Nuke

yep.....it was called a W block code.....only two engines built with that specific configuration was the 348 and the 409. it was very obvious when you looked at them as the valve covers looked like upside down W's

Attachment 716232

You know what an upside down W is called??? M

05-13-2015, 01:36 PM	#1
Buddy2 Drives: 2012 camaro convertible 45th Ed. Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Wi. Posts: 83	Small Block I have heard the L99 referred to as a small block engine. What defines an engine as small block vs. big block? Is it cubic inches, or the physical size of the block? What is the advantage of one over the other? Thanks in advance for helping out a rookie. __________________ CAI Intake, MagnaFlow Exhaust

05-13-2015, 01:39 PM	#2
Bhobbs Drives: 2015 SS 1LE Red Hot, 1970 Chevelle Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Chino, CA Posts: 6,990	It's the bore spacing and other dimensions. 4.40 inches between bore centers for the small block and 4.84" for the big block. The big block also has a taller deck for longer stroke. Small block is smaller and lighter. Big block allows for a larger cylinder bore which means more displacement. __________________

05-13-2015, 01:40 PM	#3
Firefighter Drives: Black '13 2SS/RS/1LE w/NPP/NAV Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Tampa by way of Miami... Posts: 4,934	I assume you know that there was a SBC and a BBC. Back then it was easy to differentiate one was bigger than the other. The LS series shares some dimensions with the original SBC so that is why they sometimes get called a SBC. In reality it's just a Chevy (GM) V8... Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk __________________ My Build Thread... http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=285054

05-13-2015, 10:24 PM	#9
Firefighter Drives: Black '13 2SS/RS/1LE w/NPP/NAV Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Tampa by way of Miami... Posts: 4,934	Wasn't the 348 a tall deck or something? I remember there being something odd about it. Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk __________________ My Build Thread... http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=285054

05-14-2015, 05:31 AM	#11
Firefighter Drives: Black '13 2SS/RS/1LE w/NPP/NAV Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Tampa by way of Miami... Posts: 4,934	IIRC Caddy had a 472 and a 502. Those were different though. Chevy has a 502 but it is a GMPP part. Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk __________________ My Build Thread... http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=285054

05-13-2015, 01:42 PM	#4
Quicksilver-SS Drives: 2014 1SS / RS M6 Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Zebulon, NC Posts: 601	Small Block 265 cid - 400 cid Big Block 396 cid- 454 cid In the old school days.

05-13-2015, 01:48 PM	#5
SSeniorMoment Drives: 2010 2SS/RS LS3 A6 IOM Join Date: May 2013 Location: Arizona Posts: 1,192	Kinda like the difference between a mouse and a rat.

05-15-2015, 12:53 PM	#13
Buddy2 Drives: 2012 camaro convertible 45th Ed. Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Wi. Posts: 83	Thanks guys. I always appreciate the help and information. I'm always learning something here. Jim __________________ CAI Intake, MagnaFlow Exhaust