Maybe it's not too late to get in one this...my vote is a built 406. transplanted my 406 from a 64 c-10 short bow to my 62 nova (was a built 302)...first power run i did was great but there's more...2nd power run i just left my foot in it until a tire popped.

You can't beat a 406 sbc for hp or tq!!!  

Well, as long as we are speaking of small blocks in that sense I say the best is a 454 small block chevy. You can't beat them for horsepower or torque!



Of course the biggest engine 'available' is going to make the best power when unlimited, when I say the 350 is the best ever I'm thinking of availability, durability, power output potential, cost, etcetera, etcetera. We have to put some restrictions on the topic here to make this debate worthwhile.  

what do you mean?  a 454 is a big block?  i don't get the joke.  

World products has been producing a cast-iron block that fits the Generation I 'mold' of a small block Chevy that has a 4.25" bore and can accept 4.0" strokes for a few years now. It's under the "Motown" title and World has also sold 454 SBC crate engines with this block for quite a while.

Everyone is saying that a 406 is the best small block ever because it makes the most power, well a Motown 454 is also a small block so why shouldn't that be the best small block ever if those are the only terms we are discussing?

I disagree with the majority because I think some other factors should be involved in the "best small SBC out there," which I listed in a previous post.  

Come on GigTG did you really think everybody was going to say a 350.GM dictated what engine would be the most universal powerplant for their vehicles which of course the 350.The aftermarket found there moneymaker engine and it's still going strong.If you consider bore and stroke the 327 comes to mind,over the years from people or articles in magazines they talk about the bore and stroke combination of 327's.I agree with GibTG that bang for the buck nothing beats a 350,327's as we all know are not as plentiful.  WIEDER  

With advent of chinese 'stroker' cranks I would welcome people to say a 383 but building a 406 isn't too fun...

I've gone through several cracked blocks trying to find a decent one and I wasn't even sonic-checking bores! I'm sure I would've been more scared If I could have physically witnessed the core-shift in those blocks...  

wow i never heard of that.  a 454ci small block phew.  

In my experience the best small block is the one you can afford and repair with minimal assistence from others. A piece of mind and the satisfaction of doing it yourself, out weighs everything else.  

i  like my long rod 357sb its bored 40 over and has stock stroke 3.480 with extra long connecting rods.this set up is like a big inch 302sb.there is no side loding on pistons and it doesnt need as much timing cause of tdc dwell time is longer.so you can go a little higher with your comp.this is why the 302 was such a great motor.im making 480hp with cheap pro comp heads.my rod ratio 180 the 302 was a little better.also my quench is .040 this also helps high comp motors  

There is just no comparison between old 23 degree valve angle heads and gen3 small blocks. The new stuff rules as far as performance is concerned. Price is droping too! There are LS7 heads that flow 393cfm with a 4.125 bore.Assembled with .700 lift springs and titanium valves 3400 a pair.  

I posted before realizing there is was a second page of postings LOL. sorry to interupt. I was just reiterating the gen3 potential.  

i have a 1992 shortbed chevy truck with the tbi 350 about 250kmiles and leaks oil from seal in motor.The truck runs hard and fine i want to put sum power under the hood i want this truck to be street or strip anyone have any suggestions i thought about maybe stroking it or edelbrock topend kits i have about a 2500 budget.THANKS  

Thanks for hi-jacking a sticky thread. If you have a question that has nothing to do with the current topic, make a new topic!  

I myself have a 406 and it does wonders, tons of torque and power(hp). 400 is deff a great small block with a set of good heads and some machining. An all around good small block would deff be a 350, lots of parts out there and not hard to find. Also prob one of the best setups for power and torque would deff be an ls1 or if ur looking for more torque such as for offroading you might go with a tune port setup. Also username vettified has a good point, the 434 is an awsome engine and has tons of power and torue but its going to cost you some money.-Wyotech student..  

Wow, there are some revelations here!

I never knew that big cubic inch engines make a lot of power!