What will replace the sbc???

[jclary]

Just to prove how "old-school," (or probably more "out of touch") and how time has passed me by...when I started this thread, I was thinking in terms of what contemporary engines are available from wrecking yards, (junk yards, scrap yards, salvage yards) that are lighter, economical, and more efficient? What contemporary engine would be available in sufficient numbers for re-planting in the way the SBC (which my mind narrows to the traditional 283/327/350 carb versions.)

Like dandelions on the roadside...these SBC engines were so plentiful, that good versions were often transplanted directly to new homes without internal modifications. An entire industry developed to provide adapters, dress-up, and performance enhancers for those wanting more "umph" in power. I'm not so sure that it is the greatness of the engine, as much as it was the quantity or availability. Being so plentiful, to me, it seems to be the old "path of least resistance" rule. There are other terrific engines by Ford, Chrysler, and imports, but as of yet, nothing with the cottage industry support of the SBC.

One other comment...I have no particular "facts" to support...but have the impression that Ford attempts to suppress aftermarket industries from making things for their brand unless they sanction and get a piece of the action. I have also been given the impression, that GM is not so sensitive or involved in those offering aftermarket items. Again...I have developed this as only an "opinion/impression" from years of casual shadetree conversations at cruise-in/car show and parts store visits. I wanted to make this "disclaimer" because of all us Studebaker folks know...those Studebaker cars being made in Canada, are sporting 289 engines stolen from vintage Mustangs in the U.S.

My "old-fashioned" frame of reference comes from the "junk-yard" era...before there was even a concept of "Crate Engine." Perhaps, the SBC phenomenon is one of those historical events that occur once, flourish, and subside as advances in technology pass them by. (Like steam locomotives)

[sweetolbob]

A Prius has 2 doors too many...

I know a young fellow that can take care of that! Packard more-door.



As far as electric/hybrid power, If the cars folks collect reflect the vehicles they yearned for in their youth, we're still a bit away from that option, but it will come eventually. Bob

[Hallabutt]

Sorry Tom, I saw nothing regarding minimum HP. The questions asked were engines produced in sufficient numbers, economically feasible, and easy to come by in a complete rear wheel drive package. Sorry I didn't know that I need to give a history lesson to go along with an opinion. In the 1990's when both Chrysler and GM were shucking most of their rear wheel drive models, Ford stuck with rear wheel drive cars until two years ago. Hello, how do you spell Crown Victoria most police cars, taxis and limonenes for the last twenty years have used rear wheel drive derivatives of the Mod engine available in performance trim up to 330 HP.

[edpjr]

I had a '99 T/A (310 hp) a 2001 SS Camaro (345 hp) and now an '07 Vette (400 hp) all with the 6.0 liter V-8. Each was/is an incredibly fast and reliable engine. I'm looking toward buying a new Stingray now.

[Swifster]

Sorry Tom, I saw nothing regarding minimum HP. The questions asked were engines produced in sufficient numbers, economically feasible, and easy to come by in a complete rear wheel drive package. Sorry I didn't know that I need to give a history lesson to go along with an opinion. In the 1990's when both Chrysler and GM were shucking most of their rear wheel drive models, Ford stuck with rear wheel drive cars until two years ago. Hello, how do you spell Crown Victoria most police cars, taxis and limonenes for the last twenty years have used rear wheel drive derivatives of the Mod engine available in performance trim up to 330 HP.

Bill, I didn't know that we were limiting ourselves to the 1990's. Chrysler has been making Chargers, 300's, Magnums and Challengers with Hemi's since 2005 (the last ten years). Horsepower on the Hemi STARTS at 345 HP. I'd bet right now there are more Hemi V8's in the salvage yards than 4.6L Fords. They are also more popular. And if you start looking at LS production for the last 18 years, fogetaboutit.

[Swifster]

I know we've been discussing V8's, but all three companies are building stout V6's. Chrysler and GM have 3.6L sixes and GM just brought out a new 4.3L V6. Ford has 2.7L and 3.5L sixes with turbos. My Commander has a OHV six and I'm replacing this boat anchor with the old school GM 4.3L V6. I hoping to get past the 500HP mark with a supercharger.

[hobiejack11]

To me the SBC will always be the king of/for engine swaps. Think about it, they are/were available in displacements all the way from 262c.i. to 400c.i. in stock form. Back in the day I was a staunch "flatheads forever'" guy who finally saw the light when I helped a buddy stuff a 283 in a 41 Ford business coupe. This was in 1958 and we dropped the princely sum of 400 bucks for a very low mileage engine, and another 75 for an adapter to fit the engine to the Ford tranny. As money became available we added a three deuce manifold with 2gc carbs, a lightweight flywheel and a mild Isky cam. With this combo the Ford tranny lasted about as long as a June frost so we bought a LaSalle transmission and had it machined to fit the Ford driveshaft. We had to get another adapter to mate the engine to the LaSalle transmission but the result was bulletproof. That little car was the terror of Brooklyn street racing for quite a while. What I find to be most interesting is although the SBC was only a couple of years old all of the stuff we needed to build a very respectable street racer was readily available. The speed equipment manufacturers jumped on the Chevy bandwagon right from the start and they are still riding it some 55 years later. That is some sort of record that will never be matched. Since I helped build that car I have probably stuffed at least a hundred SBCs in just about every thing you could imagine.

[Hallabutt]

Tom I thought that you would understand, that although Ford began producing the 4.6L in about 1993, that they continued to make them up until two years ago. This is not an either or question, I was trying to answer a question that was asked about types and sources of plentiful and affordable V8 rear wheel drive power plants. Maybe in Michigan 1993-2013 cars have disappeared, but not so out west. No question that the LS was made in large numbers in trucks up to 6.0L and that they have been amazing considering their old push rod technology. The after market performance support is also exceptional. I chose to answer a question, and to give a viable choice to people who might not want to be part of the me too look alikes. I stopped looking under the hood of street rods years ago, when everything became a cookie cutter 350 cu" Turbo 350, which later morphed into the thirty five year old 700r4. Please folks if you have to build them try to use some imagination, even if you have to go to the dreaded imports!

Please don't misunderstand I am mot a Ford guy, or a GM guy, or a Chrysler guy, I'm a car guy. I love cars and I just don't get it when someone will turn up their nose at a car because of who made it. I'm really put off by people who seem to hold a grudge against Ford as though it is just another four letter word. Just so there is no misunderstanding about my personal biases, my collection includes all three plus Studebaker and Jaguar, Tom can you say the same?

[hobiejack11]

I have to agree with Hallabutt on the cookie cutter syndrome that the 350 SBC/350 Turbo Hydramatic thing has become. They are practically just like a**holes, everyone has one. I have seen a few 4.6 Ford mods in early Fords as of late and I applaud the owners of these cars. In case you were not aware it is no easy trick fitting those humongous cam covers in an engine compartment. I like early Dodge and DeSoto hemis, nailhead Buicks and any other out of the ordinary engines.I recently saw a roadster with a Lincoln V-12 flathead, way cool. All that beas it may, the SBC is still the king.