BBC in a Pro tourer?

[Sebambam]

Who runs a BBC in there PRO Tourer?

i have following issue
i have a SWEET 468 Roller Motor here that really makes me thinking to changing my LS2 plans.
My Car is 72 Chevelle & Chevelle BIG BLOCKS are just amazing.

i know the BBC brings extra weight and costs but you cant beat the grunt and CI + the nostalgic factor

original plan
cammed NA LS2 + Cd009 6 speed

when going big block i cant use the cd009 i have ( no adapters)
and would probably go build 700r4 Auto
i would also get a MPFI setup, with full timing control for the BBC to make it as reliable and "modern" as i can
and this equals $$$$

so please talk me into or out of the BBC :)

[FORDvsCHEVY]

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489…. Got 385 to wheels through a TH400 with a gear vendors. Got a Holley terminator MPFi set up ready to rock. Just thinking now ima probably order a 540.


I was thinking LT1 but I still just love when the hood pops and you see a clean BB. Nothing you do to an LS will get you that same sound. I also feel like BB is the heart that was made for a chevelle.

If it was a Daily or see more tha a couple K a year I would LS as I think it might be more dependable.

Nothing wrong with LS’ing…. Just not for me…

[Sebambam]

very cool
i agree with "true heart of a chevelle"

the 468 i have and finish building will have more than enough HP
So will the LS
i am Ok with 500-550 Crank

I was thinking of a RAM style MPFI Setup with full timing control like this<
to improve the modern driving approach with he old school grunt.

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[FORDvsCHEVY]

very cool
i agree with "true heart of a chevelle"

the 468 i have and finish building will have more than enough HP
So will the LS
i am Ok with 500-550 Crank

I was thinking of a RAM style MPFI Setup with full timing control like this<
to improve the modern driving approach with he old school grunt.

212253

Is that for a BBC? Only tunnel ram system I could find was the Edlebrock (using Holley software so didn’t want to mix) and Plazmaman

[Mkelcy]

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489…. Got 385 to wheels through a TH400 with a gear vendors. Got a Holley terminator MPFi set up ready to rock. Just thinking now ima probably order a 540.


I was thinking LT1 but I still just love when the hood pops and you see a clean BB. Nothing you do to an LS will get you that same sound. I also feel like BB is the heart that was made for a chevelle.

If it was a Daily or see more tha a couple K a year I would LS as I think it might be more dependable.

Nothing wrong with LS’ing…. Just not for me…

440 to the wheels from my LS376/480 (hot cam in an LS3) on a Mustang dyno through a T56 and a Ford rear in a '68 Camaro. Just sayin. Gears will make up for any short fall in torque. I'm all about form follows function - it can look old school "right" or it can perform. But this thread was theoretically about "pro touring" where handling is also supposed to count. Shedding 100-200 lbs. from the front end can't hurt. YMMV.

[FORDvsCHEVY]

440 to the wheels from my LS376/480 (hot cam in an LS3) on a Mustang dyno through a T56 and a Ford rear in a '68 Camaro. Just sayin. Gears will make up for any short fall in torque. I'm all about form follows function - it can look old school "right" or it can perform. But this thread was theoretically about "pro touring" where handling is also supposed to count. Shedding 100-200 lbs. from the front end can't hurt. YMMV.

You might wanna at the OP. He asked for your opinion…. I didn’t.

540 I’m planning will have have 700/700 at crank. Easily 850 with different heads….. just saying.

Form follows function? Sounds cool.

And you’re saying it can look old school but not perform? That’s a pretty ignorant comment…

[Mkelcy]

You might wanna at the OP. He asked for your opinion…. I didn’t.

540 I’m planning will have have 700/700 at crank. Easily 850 with different heads….. just saying.

Form follows function? Sounds cool.

And you’re saying it can look old school but not perform? That’s a pretty ignorant comment…

Sorry if you got offended. I may have misread your post as intended to be a response to the OP And therefore recommending a BBC in his car.

As for ignorance, only 385 to the wheels from a 489, with the BBC weight penalty, seems not an ideal setup. Perhaps you operate under difference laws of physics and the old school looks compensate and improve performance.

[TBART70]

212299212298
740 hp 728 ft. Lbs. At the crank

[FORDvsCHEVY]

212299212298
740 hp 728 ft. Lbs. At the crank

Beautiful…

[FORDvsCHEVY]

Sorry if you got offended. I may have misread your post as intended to be a response to the OP And therefore recommending a BBC in his car.

As for ignorance, only 385 to the wheels from a 489, with the BBC weight penalty, seems not an ideal setup. Perhaps you operate under difference laws of physics and the old school looks compensate and improve performance.


No ignorance doesn’t offend me. He asked us to persuade him why one way to the other. You did read right but your comment has nothing to do with mine. I gave my opinion as to why I recommended to him (the guy who asked).

You should of just posted to him why YOU like your motor…

And I was just telling him what was currently in it. To build an LS with the HP/TQ I mentioned in the 540 would be way more. He also he stated he liked the grunt. An LS will Never sound as good as a cammed BB in my opinion.

And justifying TQ with gears…. Well you can get more TQ from a BB and change the gears on it as well.

All in all I next time give YOUR opinion to the guy who asked. Include the info he asked and not try to point why you don’t agree with someone…. That’s not what he asked.

[Sebambam]

ACES FUEL INJECTION has a bbc ram kit called WILDCARD its a full harness , intake+tb+inj , harness and distributor( fixing controlled)

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Beautiful…
BAAAM
Bad ass. What trans are you running?

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212299212298
740 hp 728 ft. Lbs. At the crank

Beautiful.
Do you drive it alot? I'm looking for true reliability for a almost daily driver... hop in and go.

[Sebambam]

No ignorance doesn’t offend me. He asked us to persuade him why one way to the other. You did read right but your comment has nothing to do with mine. I gave my opinion as to why I recommended to him (the guy who asked).

You should of just posted to him why YOU like your motor…

And I was just telling him what was currently in it. To build an LS with the HP/TQ I mentioned in the 540 would be way more. He also he stated he liked the grunt. An LS will Never sound as good as a cammed BB in my opinion.

And justifying TQ with gears…. Well you can get more TQ from a BB and change the gears on it as well.

All in all I next time give YOUR opinion to the guy who asked. Include the info he asked and not try to point why you don’t agree with someone…. That’s not what he asked.

Both have there advantages and downsides.

The bbc valve train geometry is very outdated, even if you upgrade to a roller +efi you face the pushrod geometry which requires to lash/adjust the valves constantly + over reving damage.

The LS took all this things in condition and was designed and is a proven RELIABLE pushrod engine design.
AND THE LS2 I have pushes 400 crank , stock. So a simple cam, tune, headers intake gets me to 500+ NA CRANK.
I believe.

The LS is also the cheaper option and can handle a of the shelve manual trans all for a reasonable $$.

The BBC is flat out COOL, BRACHIAL and that sound is unbeatable.
SO MUCH TO LOVE even with 8 mpg lol.

[FORDvsCHEVY]

ACES FUEL INJECTION has a bbc ram kit called WILDCARD its a full harness , intake+tb+inj , harness and distributor( fixing controlled)

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BAAAM
Bad ass. What trans are you running?

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Beautiful.
Do you drive it alot? I'm looking for true reliability for a almost daily driver... hop in and go.

As I stated in my first post if I you wanted to daily I do think LS is way to go…

[FORDvsCHEVY]

Both have there advantages and downsides.

The bbc valve train geometry is very outdated, even if you upgrade to a roller +efi you face the pushrod geometry which requires to lash/adjust the valves constantly + over reving damage.

The LS took all this things in condition and was designed and is a proven RELIABLE pushrod engine design.
AND THE LS2 I have pushes 400 crank , stock. So a simple cam, tune, headers intake gets me to 500+ NA CRANK.
I believe.

The LS is also the cheaper option and can handle a of the shelve manual trans all for a reasonable $$.

The BBC is flat out COOL, BRACHIAL and that sound is unbeatable.
SO MUCH TO LOVE even with 8 mpg lol.

All things equal I have found LS’ing a lot more expensive and or time consuming Dependant on if your doing it or having it done. With it being a garage queen it’s what led me to a BB[emoji2369].

[Sebambam]

All things equal I have found LS’ing a lot more expensive and or time consuming Dependant on if your doing it or having it done. With it being a garage queen it’s what led me to a BB[emoji2369].
I do it all myself and have done several swaps.
I build the motors myself as well as installing the engine management.
My BBC roller motor I'm into it well over 5k now . It's a stout 468 . But I need the EFI (2k) and a transmission( built 700r4 arround 3k) on top since the manual i have couldnt withstand the bbc torque..... So we at 8.5 k here..
+ a serpentine belt accessories kit 800-1k min

The LS I have needs new cam lifters and gaskets
I assume 800-1k
A fabott trans kit for the cd009 1600$ ( I have the cd009)
Holley terminator x 1500$

The trans thing is the hardest part for me
I would love to 6 speed the chevelle.
Bbc a auto makes more sense with by budget.


Im.not saying LS is cheap.
I'm saying in my case BBC is more expensive.

[TBART70]

I'm running a TKX , probably would have gone automatic if I had to do it again.
Big Block is heavy, I took out the 600lb recommended coil over springs and put in 700lb. My hood is heavy also. But it drives nice, not perfect but it's not a race car.
Anything to lighten up front end would help. Will it be as good as my buddies all aluminum LS, nope but I like my BBC.

[rchaskin]

This is by far my favorite Big Block PT Car.
Vegas69 is the guys username on here.
https://www.pro-touring.com/threads/91472-ZL-1-1969-Camaro-Pro-Touring?highlight=vegas69

[Sebambam]

I'm running a TKX , probably would have gone automatic if I had to do it again.
Big Block is heavy, I took out the 600lb recommended coil over springs and put in 700lb. My hood is heavy also. But it drives nice, not perfect but it's not a race car.
Anything to lighten up front end would help. Will it be as good as my buddies all aluminum LS, nope but I like my BBC.


Great advise
and honest... a much as i like the BBC

i think i will go with the LS2 ( Its a Aluminum)
if i can sell the BBC i will maybe get a 408 stroker kit and see if i either put it in the LS2 or i have a LQ9 as well , that i can easily overbore for the 408 , i heard Alu blocks dont take .30 over really well

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This is by far my favorite Big Block PT Car.
Vegas69 is the guys username on here.
https://www.pro-touring.com/threads/91472-ZL-1-1969-Camaro-Pro-Touring?highlight=vegas69

wow, love it

but definitly not in price range lol

[FORDvsCHEVY]

This is by far my favorite Big Block PT Car.
Vegas69 is the guys username on here.
https://www.pro-touring.com/threads/91472-ZL-1-1969-Camaro-Pro-Touring?highlight=vegas69

Probably 100K more nowadays

[ryeguy2006a]

I think that you will find that this site will be heavily biased towards an LS, and for good reason. They make great reliable power even in out of the 5.3's which can make around 350/350 hp/tq with cams and supporting mods. That said, if you really want to stick with a budget and a BBC, you can run one with aluminum heads and that will shave off a significant amount of the weight. I believe an aluminum headed BBC is roughly the same weight as an all iron SBC. And if you wanted to stick with a 6 speed, look for an LT1 T56 from 93-97 Fbody's and they are a direct bolt on for SBC/BBC. I think with the right springs and shocks, you could make a Chevelle be a good handling car with a BBC and 6 speed if that is truly the direction you want to go.

[Sebambam]

I think that you will find that this site will be heavily biased towards an LS, and for good reason. They make great reliable power even in out of the 5.3's which can make around 350/350 hp/tq with cams and supporting mods. That said, if you really want to stick with a budget and a BBC, you can run one with aluminum heads and that will shave off a significant amount of the weight. I believe an aluminum headed BBC is roughly the same weight as an all iron SBC. And if you wanted to stick with a 6 speed, look for an LT1 T56 from 93-97 Fbody's and they are a direct bolt on for SBC/BBC. I think with the right springs and shocks, you could make a Chevelle be a good handling car with a BBC and 6 speed if that is truly the direction you want to go.


thanks, i myself love the LS platform .. i have built several in several different cars and setups from mild to turbo wild so i am very familiar.
BUT i also love Big Blocks they have there place and one place is a Chevelle for sure.. mine is alu headed and retro fit roller built with a healthy 288/294 cam , so it sings great bbc noise and has well over 600hp.

im not sure the T56 can hold up to the toerque of the big block... the big block torque especially is the issue for manual transmissions.

[Just 1 More]

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[Lonnies Performance]

I love LS swapped vehicles & have built a few, but I could never take the BBC out of my Camaro (or a Chevelle).
Something about the massive engine has such visual appeal.

Yes, it will weigh more but it all depends on what you want out of the car.

The torque of a large cube BBC can run really good & have great street manners, but it you want 20+ mpg on the highway, it is probably not the best route.
I would take a 700HP 572 over a 700HP supercharged LS & be happy with the terrible mileage for my Camaro, but ironically my nice weather daily driver has a supercharged LS in it.

[Sebambam]

very cool setup... i agree 100%

[Alponcho]

I know this is kind of apples to oranges, but I went with traditional Pontiac power, including factory style accessories, cooling fan, etc., for my '70 bird to keep factory vibe theme and big ci type torque. It's actually an aluminum aftermarket (IAII) Pontiac block (535ci), which is still about 40# heavier than an aluminum LS block, but obviously not a max effort type car, so trade off is worth it to me. The T56 magnum hasn't had any problems so far handling the torque. Running a Sniper TBFI and it's been super reliable--turn the key and go. Overall, very happy with how it handles and performs. That said, I'm building a '79 Trans Am with (for) my son and we decided to go LS (built LQ4 based 408)...not quite the same look and feel, but the assembled engine should be about the same weight as my 535, we can save weight in other areas (e.g., TKX instead of the magnum), and in the end, turned out to be 40% less expensive.

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[Sebambam]

yea i specd the pricing and anything BBC is much more expensive for me. and i probably have to go Auto transmission (th400) becuase i dont feel like spending 5+K for a trans ... that is my paint and body lol

i might find a LT97' t56 used and see if that will do it.