So you want a Big Block Chevy. The legendary engine platform is still a prime choice for hot rodders. These engines are just as popular as they were 20 years ago when LS swaps were starting to gain in popularity. Here at Concept One, our bbc serpentine kit continues to sell well, despite LS fever. Long live the big block Chevy! Here are two big questions: 1) What makes Big Block Chevy engines so great? 2) Can a Big Block Chevy be modernized to meet today's standards for efficiency and reliability? Let's dig in to these topics.

Check out the pan rails of this Dart Big M block. The notches accommodate giant stroker crankshafts without encroaching on the oil pan bolt holes or oil galley. Dart recommends a 4.750" maximum stroke.

What Makes BB Chevy Engines So Awesome?

First and foremost, the engine blocks are physically big enough to accommodate large stroke crankshafts and long connecting rods. Like a locomotive, these parts work like a mighty arm to deliver lots of torque at low rpm. It is not unusual to see crankshaft strokes as large as 4.750" and rods as long as 6.535" or longer. Those specs deliver some serious muscle when coupled with big 4.500" or 4.600" bore pistons. It's easy to achieve one horsepower per cube with a low 9:1 compression ratio and modest rpm. In other words, you can run cheap gas and your engine does not need to work very hard.

The chamber on this Edelbrock Big Block Chevy cylinder head shows a spark plug boss has been moved closer to the valves and angled towards the exhaust valve. The chamber has a tight, heart shape instead of a large open semicircular shape.

Likewise, big block Chevy cylinder heads accommodate large valves and voluminous ports to move plenty of air. Choose between oval port heads built for low end torque, or higher revving rectangular port heads. A large gen-1 small block intake runner measure 200cc in volume, while a healthy LS head intake runner measures 255cc. By comparison, most aftermarket BB Chevy cylinder heads start at 265cc with rectangular port heads measuring 310cc to 360cc.
Cosmetically, it's hard to argue with the muscular looks of a big block Chevy. With tall by wide valve covers, and large tube exhaust, there is something about the way that a big block Chevy fills an engine bay.

Big blocks have inherently long intake manifold runners. Direct port EFI, like this system from FAST, maximizes atomization by adding fuel right at the cylinder head.

Can a Big Block Chevy Be Modernized?

We highly recommend modern aluminum cylinder heads. Significant design advancements increase engine airflow and improve combustion efficiency. Original heads were known to cause detonation while modern aftermarket heads feature heart shaped "fast-burn" combustion chambers and angled spark plug bosses that promote efficiency and performance.
Modern direct port fuel injection is a great way to modernize your big block Chevy. By injecting fuel right at the cylinder head intake port, air/fuel atomization is to optimized. Of course, EFI also helps fuel mileage, idle quality and even engine temps.

Big Block Chevy Serpentine Kit Conversion

A Serpentine drive pulley kit can really help improve your big block Chevy engine's efficiency and reliability. First, vintage, OE style accessory brackets are either flimsy or bulky. Old school V-belts are known to stretch and slip. Original AC compressors, alternators and power steering pumps are terribly inefficient, oversized, and overweight.

This compact AC compressor mounts in front of the valve cover and cylinder head. Known as "packaging" this locates drive accessories away from headers and chassis components

Like modern vehicles, Concept One offers Big Block Chevy Serpentine Kits that utilize the latest accessory drive technology. Modern hot rods require alternators that deliver more amps to keep up with electronics demands including fuel injection, electric fans, audio, fuel delivery and more.

Concept One uses Powermaster alternators exclusively. Amp ratings can be tailored to your vehicles requirements. Pulley diameter can be tailored to meet your engine's rpm requirements. This is particularly important for pro-touring cars and trucks that are run at track days and open road races where extended high rpm use is experienced.

Concept One's billet power steering reservoir allows the pump to be mounted higher than the OE design for exceptional chassis clearance. It also looks awesome!

We've developed a unique, all-billet power steering reservoir to improve efficiency and reliability with a functional aesthetic. Perhaps the best proof of this concept is our billet mini-reservoir. The design allows us to package your power steering pump closer to the engine for improved chassis, steering, and header clearance. Performance or looks, there is nothing else like it.

The same is true for AC compressors. Modern compact AC compressors are small enough that they can be positioned low and in front of the engine. Older AC compressors were HUGE! They deliver better efficiency with a smaller footprint. With a Concept One billet pulley cover, your AC will look pretty good as well.

No Replacement for Displacement

That expression isn't really true any more. LS engines make more power per pound and you can choose a low profile supercharger or twin turbos. There really is no right answer to this question. Besides, if you want a lightweight, 2000HP BB Chevy, you can always build an all-aluminum twin turbo engine and have it all.

Links:

BB Chevy Pulley Kits

Dart Big M Engine Blocks

FAST Fuel Injection