SquidBonez
Active member
It seems like every Honda clone powered machine on YouTube (be it go kart, mini bike, or mini buggy) runs a small block if they want to really go fast. At least from what I've seen online - by and large - built small blocks are faster than most big blocks. There are tons of videos of people hitting 70+ on small block mini bikes, but very few videos on people hitting high speeds on big blocks. Does anyone here have experience with big block engines? How do they compare to small blocks on the old "butt-dyno"? I would think that the extra power and torque from big blocks would make it no contest - even with the added weight. I know speed is overall determined by gear ratio & RPM, and that big blocks don't rev as high, but you can gear a big block more aggressively than a small block thanks to the extra power & torque they provide. Torque converter options are also more limited for big blocks (there's no "Juggernaut 30 series" equivalent for big block engines...maybe the 780?).
Ultimately, I'm just trying to decide if I should go big block or small block on a lightweight mini buggy I'm building. I currently have the parts to build a Stage 2 Predator 212 coming in, but I'm just wondering if I should stick with a small block or pay the extra money and upgrade to a big block. I'm looking for something that will do well at high speed (rally-style) driving on dirt roads and grass fields. Would it be better to use a lighter, less powerful, but higher revving small block, or a heavier, more powerful, but lower revving big block? I already have a Juggernaut torque converter for my 212, but if I go big block I will change out to a 40 series.
Ultimately, I'm just trying to decide if I should go big block or small block on a lightweight mini buggy I'm building. I currently have the parts to build a Stage 2 Predator 212 coming in, but I'm just wondering if I should stick with a small block or pay the extra money and upgrade to a big block. I'm looking for something that will do well at high speed (rally-style) driving on dirt roads and grass fields. Would it be better to use a lighter, less powerful, but higher revving small block, or a heavier, more powerful, but lower revving big block? I already have a Juggernaut torque converter for my 212, but if I go big block I will change out to a 40 series.