BBC Or Hemi For a Top Dragster?

Just seeking opinions and rationale. Not looking for max. power but rather consistency, reliability, ease of use in a top dragster. This would be a blown alky deal looking to run low to mid 6's in top dragster. Thanks!

 

Bbc / hemi

I started with big chiefchev consistency is in the tuneup but reliabilty of the hemi is mutch better. for me anyway.

 

I called Robert Reehl for years before switching and I wanna quote him as saying "never had a customer call and want to sell all of their hemi parts and switch to BBC"....

In my opinion the hemi stuff is pretty plentiful....just find a common setup - bore/stroke/deck height/etc....and you will be able to share spare parts with your fellow racers....maybe decide on TFX or BAE/KB style (they have different gear drives and oil pans)....try to buy a complete short block or long block from a well know source and most of the mathematics should be done - valve train geometry and other interference issues such as clearance block for stroke...

The one thing I really like about the hemi stuff is it seems like most everything I purchase is ready to install...no need for a trip to the machine shop....the sleeves come with standard O-ring grooves....pistons & rods off the shelf - several common bores and rod lengths....

There are many others on the board that know a lot more than I do about all of the combinations, but feel free to call and discuss this as I went through the same scenario about 7 years ago...Scott Gaulter 515-727-1444 (ext 11) office or 515-987-4900 home...

 

Chevy / Hemi

I would say, it depends on your skill and know how. If you plan on towing it or drive it. Think about cooling it/ starter/ trans and a few other stuff. Valve train, the car you already have. length back half length etc. and bank account. And then bring it up north. Don

 

I was a chevy guy for years. Once i switched i never looked back! Some of the parts might be a little more money but they are well worth it.

 

Chevy/Hemi

I recently switched from a BBC Big Chief 555 to a 526 KB Veney Hemi. The Hemi stuff is much bigger everywhere. Cross bolted mains, bigger rods, pins, head studs...etc. I ran BBC my entire life so this is new to me. The Chevy was good to about 2000hp. Anything after that was a time bomb. Still working a few ignition bugs out of the Hemi but so far the engine has been good. Depends on your application I suppose. 1800hp will live all day on a good BBC.

 

bbc

If you're buying new stuff and not worried about the budget only invest in a hemi as the chevy's are almost worthless.
We have a big chief that makes around 2400hp at 9000 reliably with a good roots.
Manifold to pan it's worth maybe 10 grand. I think at 1800-2000 hp it could go a lot of reliable passes without work. Pretty hard to beat the bang for the buck.
A lot of people claim a good chevy/wedge will make more power and torque to 8000 than a BAE.After that it's over. Below 8000rpm is good for consistency and the wallet.
Whatever you do buy a complete longblock. You'll find a million different deck hts. and just as many manifolds that won't fit.
We've had really bad luck with used blocks and cranks...be careful.
This site is the lowest risk i've found on the net for parts.

 

Thanks for all the good feedback guys.

 

Engine

Buy a Miner Brothers Engine, it's the better mousetrap!

 

I agree here for the "Chevy" deal, the MBR is a very nice piece !

 

LOVE my MBR Hemi !!! Bob Miner is a straight shooter also.

 

MBR Motors

I also have a MBR motor. Be careful when you buy one because top dragster won't be quick enough for you anymore. Put a screw blower on it and you are a legitimate competitor in TAD. Bob is a great guy to deal with-no BS. Everytime I see the Brad motors killing rear mains I thank myself for buying the MBR. The MBR is easy to work on, the manifold and blower stay on when you remove the heads. The pan rail is wider than the TFX and BAE blocks so when you do hurt it the block doesn't hardly ever get hurt. Dave Germain

 

well lets see.............HEMI is there anything else?..Dave

 

How about a 481-X ?

Shameless Plug followed by Disclaimer:
Yes, I work @ AJPE

The 481-X is a great motor for Top Dragster, Quick 8, ect.

Lately it even seems to work ok for a twin turbo NHRA Pro Mod
(call Eric @ Proline, or Roger @ R2B2)

We still have a few 481-X stalwarts left in ADRL: Roger Henson + the Stanley Family.

Fyi: a new 481-X is just a tad more $ than a hemi,
and used engines are available out there.

Ask someone who has worked on both style engines,
the 481-X is a little more user friendly,,,,,,

But if you want a blown alky hemi, we can provide that too!
(call Roger @ R2B2 re:Troxel's pro mod)

And we make billet blocks for MBR,
which are great engines too, call Bob!

JMHO

Chris@ajpe.net