Thread: BBC or SBC?

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Ok well over the passed few weeks I have been working and cleaning up my 66 Ford. I just got my manifold, carburator, hoses, air filter, valve covers, etc all put on and painted the motor, etc so that part is done. Next thing I plan to do is put a pectronics (sp) kit that changes my original points type dis. to a electronic and only costs 80 bucks. After that I plan to do up the interior a little myself when I get time, getting a C4 tranny built in a few weeks and getting my wheels and tires. Now I should be done with my truck here for now in about 2 months the most I am hoping since I don't have too much more things I wanna do besides the big stuff like painting it and lowering it which will have to wait until after fall. So here is what I am getting at. I plan to start on my 48 and do the planning in about 2-3 weeks so right now trying to get idea's on what to do. I know the look I am going for now, etc but just need to know what motor and rear end to put in it. I was planning to go with a big block and know of one from a mid 80's saburban for sale for about 450 bucks. I was talking to some guys today and they got me to thinking on maybe just going with a small block. I already knew small blocks are cheaper to build, etc but they said that I can get a 350 or 383 to smoke some big blocks if I build it right and it would probably be better for me to put it in the 48 because a 383 is cheaper, better on gas, lighter and can be built to get some major HP. Now how hard would it be to get about at least 450 HP out of a 383?
For those of you that know me and know that I plan to build this 48 over the next few years or so know that I am in no rush here, so I don't plan to just go the cheapest route, etc but I wan't a all around good hot rod. It is hard to explain exactly what I wan't but here are my plans so far to help you guys give me some information. I plan to put air ride suspension on it, I have a 79 Z28 front end on it, probably going to just go with a 17 inch wheel all the way around (American Racing Torq Thrust II's) and then at the same time try and keep it to look as a traditional style as I can but have a more modern chassis, wheels, and motor.
1.) Now what are your guys' picks or info here on either a 383 or 454?
2.) What are the pro's and con's between the two?
Sorry about how I am jumping all around here but it is hard for me to explain what I have in mind really and hard to explain the question. I plan to drive this car on the street on weekends, and it will see strip time but not a strip car since you can see I will have air ride suspension. I just wanna smoke to local mustangs that's all hehe.

My girlfriend's dad has an injected 454 that is bored out to 510 that he runs in his 69 SS 396 street/strip chevelle, Of course its built to run 9's in the 1/4, don't know if you want that kind of power or what...

I think i'd probably choose the 383 just because it gives you a good amount of power and you wouldn't be measuring your milage in GALLONS TO MILES while your out cruising.

Just my 2 cents.

However, you can never go wrong with a good sturdy built 350.

Thanks for the info. The more and more I think about it the 383 would be a better bet because I don't plan to go the pro street route anymore and I don't trust all that power with air bags so I probably won't use all the power I can get out of a 454. I have been thinking about picking me up a old car or truck or something that would be good for the strip and just buying this 454 and build me a nice little drag car or truck but on a budget to take out and have fun at the strip on weekends. Of course it wouldnt' be street legal because insurance would be too much so you know how that goes.