we have a 71 nova drag car with everything but the engine in it

(4:56 gears, 3800 stall, hurst shifter, ect..)

we can put a mildly built 350 in it or we have a 402(factory bored 396 BB) i heard the gears will be too steep for the big block and it wouldnt handle the RPMs at the bottem end of the track

what do you sugjest?

 

Probably go with the 350. But if you would put a set of 4.11 or so in the rear the 396 (sorry I know it's a 402 but that just sounds stupid) would really be better. The reason is that the 396 has the same horse (if not more) than the 350 but also about 100 foot pounds of torque. Plus Big Blocks are cool.

 

What times / class etc. do you plan to run?

Will it be street driven at all?

What kind of rear suspension?

What does it weigh?

 

Get the big block dude. Torque rules! that 396 is gone kick some serious butt and even more if you put some good heads and cam in there. Why not just go with a 400 small block? Probably has the same amount of torque as the 396 big block minus the weight savings.

 

A big block is easier to make more power. Comparing a 400 SBC to a 396 BBC, I'd go with the 396. The engines are similar in power but since an engine is an air pump, BBC heads can flow a lot more air. Some simple porting and the BBC will outflow expensive SBC heads.

 

Even though I am a small block guy (The price of a Big Block is a bit much for me) I would take a 396 BBC over a 406 SBC any day.
I am going to experient with Big Blocks in my 1968 RS/SS Muncie 4 speed car (orginal 375h.p. 396). I am planning on using a 454. Because that's right Big Blocks are COOL!!

 

first off for you guys calling it a 396, call it what it is. if it's a 402 cubic inch engine, than it's a 402, not a 396. there is no how it sounds issue, it's an engine. as for the car, 4.56 is really too much for both. if your running a 4.56 gear with either one you're running too tall of a tire. i'd recomend going with the big block since it leaves alot more room for improvement. i'd also recomend going with a 4.10 gear and chosing your tire size accordingly.

 

The reason I called it a 396 and not a 402 is because it is a 396 bored .030 over. It's the same engine, no different design, all same except for the slight bore difference. So GM used a 396 and bored to create the 402. So if you take a 350 and bore it .030 over to a 355 do you call it a 355 to everyone. No you just say it's a 350 bored .030 over.

 

Big block