Anyone with a PT or retromod car with a simple carbed SBC?

[sixfivepost]

I know the craze right now is the LS swap, but I'm interested if anyone went the simple route and stuck with a SBC. I didn't mention BBC, because the SBC is lighter and quick revving when done properly.

Eventually, I plan to go with an LS swap, but I have access to some nice SBCs already. I'm not going to race the thing, but I plan to drive it quite a bit and am going with a more modern suspension, brakes, and steering because I want it to handle and stop well. It's more of a retro mod than anything. The only thing really holding it back from PT is the lack of bucket seats and a nice modern drive train. In fact, my new gen wheels cost more than the engine will... :doh:

This is a 65 Chevelle 2dr sedan post car and the LS conversion would require me to tear up the new carpet, brand new floor, and possibly the cross member all of which have already been painted or coated.

Just curious.

Dan

[sixfivepost]

Just saw a similar thread after a few pages of "search." Sorry for the repeat topic.

[sr73bu]

There is nothing wrong with a good ol' SBC... especially in that little chevelle. If nothing was painted and the car was stripped i'd say go for the LS, even a cheap 4.8 just so the conversion is complete and you can upgrade easier at a later date... but, If its ready for the small block and thats what you can afford at the moment/ have access to, no one on here can deny they are great motors...just about every hot rodder has owned one.... even a few Ford guys...lol

-Sean

[sixfivepost]

Yeah, I was planning on using my low mileage SBC that was putting out about 380 hp, but it was about 16 years old (sat in my parents' garage). So, when I tore it apart for new gaskets and new heads, I found some nice scratches in the cylinder walls and a couple of chunks with cracks in two cylinders which I think were there prior to me buying the block all those years ago. I didn't feel comfortable spending any $$ on that engine with those chunks out of the bottom of the cylinders, so I sold it. Unfortunately, the rest of the car had already undergone a full frame off. If I had planned for a new engine, I would have gone with an LS. I have access to another, brand new crate SBC for pretty cheap, so that's where I'm at at the moment. I'll drive it like I stole it until it is time for a new engine. At that point, I'll probably go LS and be done with it.

[spacepirate]

Yeah, I have the Fast Burn 385 in my 68 Camaro. I got a really good deal brand new and just couldn't pass it up. As soon as everything is complete with my suspension I'm gonna try my hand out on the track.

[tommycomfort]

We have a 64 Chevelle wagon with an overly mild 327 and a single Holley 600 cfm. I would be hard pressed to not call it Pro-Touring even with the bench seat. We've debated an LS swap, but with our 66 already having a 6.2 and my son's 67 getting a 6.2, I think we'll stick with the tried and true SBC in the wagon. A link should be in my signature.
Tom

[Flash68]

I love the old simple carbed SBC.... Do I like the LS motors? Definitely, but they are more expensive and just don't sound nearly as good IMO. Don't feel bad about running a carbed motor in your car... a PT car or resto mod does not require AC and LS motors like some will want you to believe.

[sixfivepost]

Yeah, I have the Fast Burn 385 in my 68 Camaro. I got a really good deal brand new and just couldn't pass it up. As soon as everything is complete with my suspension I'm gonna try my hand out on the track.

That's actually the engine I can get my hands on real cheap! How do you like it? For a few bucks more, I may be able to pry a Pace Performance ZZ430 (not the real GM ZZ430) from a buddy of mine, but no warranty on that one. Can't really beat the forged crank and roller cam set up on those GM ZZ engines.

Also, I admire all of your cars (dudes who posted above)! I checked them out previously.

Dan

[Martin71RS]

I run a SBC too...I started with my car years ago when LS motor were new...and they are not really available here. Also everything is setup for SBC now...so I am happy with it. Maybe if I would start a build now I would go LS

[oldblu68]

I have a GMPP crate H.O. 350/330hp carbed engine. I am also upgrading suspension, brakes, wheels, and interior. I really want to go the LS route as well but it is a little out of my budget at the moment. I love the car, but really want to improve the handling, braking, and interior comfort. Still approached all the time about selling the car, even with it being five different shades of blue. From what I have seen here, people really just support someone doing what they like, and what will please them.

[406 Q-ship]

My Malibu has a 330hp/350 GMPP crate engine with a Edelbrock carb on it. It runs great at open track, autocrossing, and runs across the country. Even those in the LS camp will not say that protouring requires fuel injection or the LS series of engines. This is a group of enthusists that enjoy the type of fun we have with the cars more than what makes up the vehicle.

[hifi875]

Do a carbed ls. Thats what i did and it runs very well, and easy to work on and they don't leak!!

[sixfivepost]

That's one of the main reasons I like the LS. I can't stand getting oil and grime all over a nice, clean, new engine compartment. However, the car is too far along at this point to go back and start chopping things up for the swap.

Anothing thing to consider though is re-sale value. I'll probably never get even 60% of what I've got into this thing, but it would most likely be worth more with an LS because guys looking for a PT car probably want the bucket seats and modern drive train and the guys looking for a classic muscle car, want the classic, more period correct wheels, tires, and suspension. My car is splitting the two genres at this point. It will look the part of a PT car and probably handle like one, but it has a Muncie 4sp and will have a SBC and a bench seat. lol

That's ok though, because it's my ride and will achieve what I want it to. A little bit of old school mixed with modern handling characteristics. Plus, I've had the darn thing so long (20+ years), I'm a bit attached to it. It's just going to be a family cruiser anyway with an occasional blast through the gears on some twisty roads. Definitely not a trailer queen that's for sure.

[spacepirate]

That's actually the engine I can get my hands on real cheap! How do you like it? For a few bucks more, I may be able to pry a Pace Performance ZZ430 (not the real GM ZZ430) from a buddy of mine, but no warranty on that one. Can't really beat the forged crank and roller cam set up on those GM ZZ engines.

Also, I admire all of your cars (dudes who posted above)! I checked them out previously.




Dan

I really like it. Solid and strong. I've only got a few hundred miles on it and then put it in the shop for all my suspension work. Should have it back in a week or so and I'll let you know how it does with the new ride.

[mc84_zz4]

Another here with a carbed crate engine (ZZ4), I do have plans to eventually replace it with an LS series, but the howl from the carb at WOT is something I'd miss. A carbed solution can be cheaper, and less complex.

[Taylor1969]

Go LS now as some others have stated. If budget is an issue pick up a $400 5.3 from a junkyard and invest in the right conversion parts (headers, pan, mounts, trans, etc.) that won't have to change down teh road.

Over time build up a better engine and swap it out... you'll get the best of both worlds.

Ask me how I know... I had a perfectly fine running 383 with a carb and decided to bite the bullet on an LS2... I wish that I would have done it from the start.

Chris

[jy211]

I have a BBC in my 68' and it's by no means a killer car as some of the one's on here are...

[Tony_SS]

Nothing wrong with a carbed SBC. The 87 and newer ones generally won't leak, and the 96+ vortec 350 engines are plenty capable. I'm running a 350/330 hp crate.

[GrabberGT]

SBF here with carb that I cant wait to get rid of. It has fuel starvation issues under heavy braking. The primary jets are uncovered for a period of time under braking thus killing the motor. Just something to think about.

[Scott Parkhurst]

I still have a 383 with a Holley carb and HEI. It works pretty good and put 579 hp to the rear wheels on a chassis dyno with nitrous. Gets 20 mpg too.

I want to go LS as well, and I will eventually. But I'll build and dyno the LS engine first, and that might take me a couple years since I won't be happy unless it makes some crazy power, which means really nice parts, which means more money than I've got to spend. So the 383 will be in there for awhile yet.

[Norwaycamaro]

Mine is a 400sbc with brodix alu heads and roller cam just to keep track budget wise:-) Puts out only 370hp on the dyno- but PLENTY torque for my 69 camaro:-)

[68sixspeed]

"mild" little alum 427 small block with a carb for me... GM made, well, nothing in it. But it seems to get the job done. I almost went to the LS motor a few years ago when I built this motor but I didn't want to deal with headers, exhaust, trans, etc. But it is refreshing to work on, very few wires! -Dan

[sixfivepost]

Thanks for the input guys, all great opinions and are very helpful.

[Procharmo]

Me too, I figured as the car got older and if Pro-touring went the way of Pro Street, people would in the future expect a carbed SBC in a 70's Camaro. Only thing is it's a now a Dart blocked, AFR 235 headed, solid roller cammed 406. And twin supercharged but otherwise it's a plain old carbed SBC...

[66gforce]

I run a SBC as well, get 18-19 MPG @ 80mph. I want to do FI, but getting rid of the carb is hard to justify right now. About the only hiccup I have is under very hard braking, I sometimes stall, but overall, drivability is excellent and throttle response on the track is awesome.

[Garymac69]

I plan on keeping a SBC in my '69. And if the 383 that I put in when I built the car 15 years ago perishes, I would likely go to a 427 SBC, possibly w/ aluminum block. I'm almost getting tired of seeing the LS motors in every car! When I research big inch good head SBC's and LS crate engines, I rarely see more than 30 to 50 hp difference within a similiar price range. I'm thinking that if I want more drivability or mileage that I would upgrade to EFI and be completely happy.

But then I've always thought an aluminum BBC would be sexy!

Gary

[SicMonte]

355 SBC here....love it!

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/04/Picture153-2.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/04/Picture152-2.jpg

[Martin71RS]

hey Doug, do you have a project thread on that Monte??:poke:

[SicMonte]

hey Doug, do you have a project thread on that Monte??:poke:

Why yes I do......lol

https://www.pro-touring.com/showthread.php?67083-Project-SicMonte

[nekkidhillbilly]

buick power here

[sixfivepost]

Me too, I figured as the car got older and if Pro-touring went the way of Pro Street, people would in the future expect a carbed SBC in a 70's Camaro. Only thing is it's a now a Dart blocked, AFR 235 headed, solid roller cammed 406. And twin supercharged but otherwise it's a plain old carbed SBC...

Twin SC? Definitely not your plain old SBC! Awesome!!

[PT Sportwagon]

My Buick Sportwagon has the original Small Block Buick 350 in it. with 4 bbl. works just fine for me.

Tim

[beater65]

Do you have any current pics of your 65?

I bought a 65 hardtop back in may. And my plan is real low big brakes/wheels/sway bars/ 4 link. and im in a similar debate. I originally planned on doing a basic 400-500hp carbed SBC, but i have several buddies doing mild LS motors with a turbo and getting very decent power numbers and still very tame street manners. But i think ulitmately a big lumpy cam and loud exhaust of a SBC might win me over.

[sixfivepost]

Check out my build thread for updated pictures. Search for high school sweetheart or "POSTAL." The car is in pieces at the moment and should be painted by the end of the week! I've been waiting for my wheels to be built for 10 weeks. They're 3pc 18 and 19" New Gen Descendents from Driverz Inc.

[solarguy09]

I am doing Modifications now. No tubbing, but Coil overs, Rushforth's, Big Willwoods, ect....
My main reason for running my Small block is one, it is a numbers matching car, and two, with the Buffed LT-1 and a close ratio M-21 and 3.73 from the factory, I feel it is a great combo for my Modifications. Hi revving, Well geared....if I did not have a numbers matching Z/28, I may be swayed to go new style...But not on this car...With Ignition upgrades, My LT-1 with the factory 780 cfm Holley is the right fit...

[rfalker1]

Got a 383 in mine ;) with a 50,000 mile warranty!!!!!

I dont think I would ever do a LS swap unless I had too. I think the old school engines make these cars what they are!!

[Nothingface5384]

Got a 383 in mine ;) with a 50,000 mile warranty!!!!!

I dont think I would ever do a LS swap unless I had too. I think the old school engines make these cars what they are!!

exactly, and if I do want fuel injection down the line, i'll add it to my vintage motor