View Full Version : Big block or small block
NOVA saloon
07-05-11, 12:53 PM
Hi all. What is best for a nova. I have had both big block and small block. Valvers are top but my opinion is 1.6 16v. Put the best smile on my face for a while now.
steviegsi
07-05-11, 01:27 PM
Oh dear.....
big block :)
mk1nova_rich
07-05-11, 01:29 PM
Needs a poll...but has been asked a million and one times lol
Small block though :thumb:
I cant comment as i have only had small block, would go for big block if i could afford to though maybe
General Baxter
07-05-11, 02:05 PM
not had one of these for a long time lol
small block, you cant piky your suspension on a big block lol
dhdev (Oli)
07-05-11, 02:09 PM
Big block
General Baxter
07-05-11, 02:13 PM
mr. oli, were you transporting your golf i think it was wed or thursday, around 6.40 on the road to daventry ?
Big block
Quoted for future proof. ;)
General Baxter
07-05-11, 02:17 PM
was waiting for that, lol
if you have the money go ermmmmm, big block,
the amount you would spend on getting the small block to big block power, you could buy some nice suspension and running gear
or superglue a eaton onto the small block and have LET power for around 30miles lol
Derick-Sport
07-05-11, 02:27 PM
Ken Block
Big block if your on a budget.
General Baxter
07-05-11, 02:51 PM
Ken Block
nar you dont want that pick, under the bonnet
nar you dont want that pick, under the bonnet
Be better than behind the wheel!lollollollollol
Small block aswell!!!
scott.parker
07-05-11, 04:33 PM
Its all depending on what your after...
But i still say big block, as it saves wasting time money on the small block fist! lol
Jeez, not this old chestnut again!
TeddyThom
07-05-11, 04:52 PM
I suppose it depends on what you after... Surely small block would be better in the twisties etc, whereas the big block would kick ass down a straight?? Least that's my understanding, anyone correct me if I am wrong?
I suppose it depends on what you after... Surely small block would be better in the twisties etc, whereas the big block would kick ass down a straight?? Least that's my understanding, anyone correct me if I am wrong?
opened up a can of wormslollollollollollol
think its personal preference. i'm building up a big(ish) power small block as i think i prefer them. never owned a big block but have driven a mates and dont find it as fun to drive down the backroads as my sr. although i think i might get a big block for a daily driver lol then i'll get the best of both worlds
bainyboy sr
07-05-11, 05:22 PM
Big Block!
fastcar1cars
07-05-11, 06:02 PM
Big block!
having personally built both to a fairly high standard i would say in the more normal routes the merits are equal.
On track this was shown more so for myself.
My two versions have been drastically different with routes of building between the cars and cannot be compared. It still amuses me when people base speed/fun more so on what engine they run..........
NOVA saloon
07-05-11, 07:02 PM
I can honestly say I have had loads of b road fun in my 1.2 saloon 6am missions all about carrying speed through the bends. After all we can all go quick in a straight line but to me that's boring lol small block for the lanes IMO.
scott.parker
07-05-11, 07:04 PM
Well i have both too, 1.2 on billys 40mm drop, and the xe track car, tbf on road the 1.2 is more fun as its comically nippy and as you say you don't need slow down on bends/rounder bouts as they cant go very fast anyway! lol
I'd vote big block, as you have 150+bhp straight away, small block's can reach 150+bhp, but your into 4-figures
C612DNM
07-05-11, 07:30 PM
http://www.enginefactory.com/Clean%20Images/632850.jpg
Definitely BIG block. No messing. 632ci - 850hp 830lb/ft torque.
Where's the burgo option?
dhdev (Oli)
07-05-11, 07:57 PM
mr. oli, were you transporting your golf i think it was wed or thursday, around 6.40 on the road to daventry ?
It was never my Golf, the white car that I did a season in the VAG Trophy was sold and is being raced this year in the trackday trophy, the black race Golf got MOT'd last thursday (lol) so you may have seen that?
bainyboy sr
07-05-11, 08:30 PM
I can honestly say I have had loads of b road fun in my 1.2 saloon 6am missions all about carrying speed through the bends. After all we can all go quick in a straight line but to me that's boring lol small block for the lanes IMO.
LOL:d 1.2 NOT FAST
i got took a run in a xe nova, wasnt really what its all hyped upto be tbh, dont get me wrong it was quick like but not what everyone says it is imo.
for that reason ill stick to small block :thumb:
bainyboy sr
07-05-11, 08:37 PM
i got took a run in a xe nova, wasnt really what its all hyped upto be tbh, dont get me wrong it was quick like but not what everyone says it is imo.
for that reason ill stick to small block :thumb:
LOL own one and drive one and your opinion will change i use to be small block through and through but that changed when i first got the valver
LOL own one and drive one and your opinion will change i use to be small block through and through but that changed when i first got the valver
my small block be as quick as a valver once done though hopefully and i'll still be able to chuck it about.
bainyboy sr
07-05-11, 08:43 PM
will be good if you finish it mate , i can chuck the valver about too its great fun
mk1nova_rich
07-05-11, 08:48 PM
Lets open another tin of worms... Wtf is a 'valver'?? lol
lol i dont even see an arguement in this thread, you pick what type engine you want, for what your going to be using your car for, if your not too fussed about having big power and want something you can chuck quite happily into the corners or after some cheap thrills then go small block. If your after more of a fast roadcar/track car and dont mind comprimising handling then go xe, if you live in a world with straight roads and no corners go v6 ;)
So ask yourself what do YOU want from the car, and what your budget is then go from there (IMO)
bainyboy sr
07-05-11, 08:50 PM
lol i dont even see an arguement in this thread, you pick what type engine you want, for what your going to be using your car for, if your not too fussed about having big power and want something you can chuck quite happily into the corners or after some cheap thrills then go small block. If your after more of a fast roadcar/track car and dont mind comprimising handling then go xe, if you live in a world with straight roads and no corners go v6 ;)
So ask yourself what do YOU want from the car, and what your budget is then go from there (IMO)
:thumb:
Where's the Td Option. I think that should be heavier than an Xe Block lol..
Drove lewis' Small block sr the other day, couldn't believe how light the steering was, didn't feel safe around corners lol
Lets open another tin of worms... Wtf is a 'valver'?? lol
what us scots call a redtop.. lol
bainyboy sr
07-05-11, 08:56 PM
balley i have never driven a td would like to see how one goes , is a td heavier than an xe? we need to find this out
bainyboy sr
07-05-11, 08:56 PM
:thumb:
what us scots call a redtop.. lol
A small block can never be as fast as a LET
Even a 20xe feels like a 1.0 in comparison
balley i have never driven a td would like to see how one goes , is a td heavier than an xe? we need to find this out
1.5tds are pretty quick in standard form my mate had one and it was/is as quick as a 1.6 in a straight line.
blue_peg_16v
07-05-11, 09:27 PM
tds are pap and balley yes i have been in a tuned one big block all the way xe or let you have to spend alot on a small block to get the same power, £ to bhp its the way to go
yeah they go well. and yes there a lot heavier iirc
scott.parker
08-05-11, 03:21 AM
OK, right my car is not FAST, but if you Ask Mike, or Mark MK999 of here im sure they will tell you as a passenger what they thought about it...
Then ask them if the same could be said about small block.
Small block TURBO!! it's the future!
C16XE with VXR turbo will outperform any XE, get it setup proper and LET novas will not keep up either,
cheap thrill= XE
Mid price = V6
top price = small block TURBO
small blocks with VXR power = stupid fun
boyd_1989
08-05-11, 04:20 AM
A small block can never be as fast as a LET
Even a 20xe feels like a 1.0 in comparison
Have fun getting traction lol
Small block FTW!
OK, right my car is not FAST, but if you Ask Mike, or Mark MK999 of here im sure they will tell you as a passenger what they thought about it...
Then ask them if the same could be said about small block.
As most people know i have always stated both can be made as equal if the right components are used. Big blocks can handle the same as a smallblock and a small block can be made as fast when compared to the general standard people have built big blocks to over the years.
My first example is my old 8v smallblock, 14.3's on the standing qtr in its only 3 runs which was ok for a small engine and could of possibly gone quicker with more attempts, but on track lee beat his own time at combe in that same car within a handful of laps of his first drive of the car, even though he had a 2.0 16v on throttlebodies etc running decent power. That had nothing to do with engine size or power, it was purely down to how i had built my car and what components it used. Driving it inspired confidence which makes up for alot.
My second example would be my current build, it actually handles alot better than my old 8v and weight distribution is also the same..... again due to how the car has been built the extra power can be put to good use. The 8v engine would also be alot quicker on track in this shell, but the chassis can transfer alot more power and grip onto the black stuff so the bigger engine is better placed in this package
Both examples point to one simple fact, the engine is important, but the components and chassis around it are more important, and make the difference between a fast car ......and a fun, easier to drive, even faster car
Smallblock turbo FTMFW !!!!!
No matter how much you spend on suspension components you will never ever ever get it to drive/handle like a smallblock, I've been there and done it so thats the end of that
Personally I'll have more enjoyment from getting 130 bhp out of my 1300 than slapping a 2 ton engine in the front
I spent thousands on building my old XE then realising that my old SR was just as quick through the lanes to my mums I nearly cried lol
lol lol you did it wrong then lol lol
Suspension is only a teeny weeny bit of the factors to take into account regardless of what engine goes in :thumb:
Personally i miss my old smallblock just because it defied the thoughts of some people lol lol , but having owned such a car i made sure the big block was better at the job it was designed for. Just a shame i dont have the balls to find its true limits lol
OK, right my car is not FAST, but if you Ask Mike, or Mark MK999 of here im sure they will tell you as a passenger what they thought about it...
Then ask them if the same could be said about small block.
Yea have to agree, it was definitely fun :d :d :d :cool:
MattBrown
08-05-11, 11:06 AM
lol lol you did it wrong then lol lol
Suspension is only a teeny weeny bit of the factors to take into account regardless of what engine goes in :thumb:
Personally i miss my old smallblock just because it defied the thoughts of some people lol lol , but having owned such a car i made sure the big block was better at the job it was designed for. Just a shame i dont have the balls to find its true limits lol
Yours is a testiment to what can be done with both a small and big block.
Im gonna say big block, I had the GTE lump in the old one, and after a week I got bored of it tbh:(
lol lol you did it wrong then lol lol
Suspension is only a teeny weeny bit of the factors to take into account regardless of what engine goes in :thumb:
Personally i miss my old smallblock just because it defied the thoughts of some people lol lol , but having owned such a car i made sure the big block was better at the job it was designed for. Just a shame i dont have the balls to find its true limits lol
lol nope lol
Tried everything to make it drive like a nova
- numerous springs and shocks
- polybushes
- different top mounts
- arb's on or off
- different size wheels
- loads of different tyre makes
- strut braces
- plated bottom arms
You name it I tried it lol after fooking about with all that crap and being ££££ down I then drove Craigs smallblock gsi turbo and promptly realised it was the nasty 2 ton pointless engine that was the only problem I had, sold the car a few weeks after
totally stock merit with an xe, right down to the bushes and springs. lol
having owned both in years long gone, for a daily my old 1.6 8v was the best, it was civilised enough to drive like a granny but was fun on the lanes.
but for sheer omfgwtfisthat-ability my old xe merit was the best. fast enough to scare you but handled like any other nova.
as for the lad in here stating a 1.2 isnt fast, ive seen lads beat alot of faster cars through the twisties in a stripped lowered 1.2 carbie..... try one one day....
scott.parker
08-05-11, 11:35 AM
tbh if a car is coilovers no mater what engine is not going to like high speed on b roads, for b roads are just way too bumpy etc
Out of that list the only things that were 'ok' as changes were all suspension based ;)
wheels size..waste
plated arms..waste
top mounts...waste
different tyre makes...waste (as in get proper ones first time and save money from buying lots of cheaper variants)
for what you paid in tyres a simple diff would of transormed the car tenfold, after that simple weight distribution and changes can get 80% of the small black balance back in a big block engine car. Beyond that decent geometry settings with toe and camber and maybe even a quick go on some corner weights would have made another difference.
Thats just 3 very easy and effective things that can make a difference. The list is alot longer but at the end of the day its like everything else, there is a limit to what people want to achieve and spend with the biggest factor being work load.
I have learnt alot from building the big block car i have now, and i am still learning and developing it due to the new found grip levels and spring poundages needed etc. I am also finding some things go against what i learnt with the 8v car. For me this is the fun part and we are 80% there with the package but until it was driven we never knew how the car was going to react :)
bainyboy sr
08-05-11, 04:00 PM
as for the lad in here stating a 1.2 isnt fast, ive seen lads beat alot of faster cars through the twisties in a stripped lowered 1.2 carbie..... try one one day....
ive had many 1.2s and was never impressed
OK, right my car is not FAST, but if you Ask Mike, or Mark MK999 of here im sure they will tell you as a passenger what they thought about it...
Then ask them if the same could be said about small block.
Was very quick, well tuned and I need another go now it's been mapped :)
But I'm still going small block with mine...
dhdev (Oli)
08-05-11, 05:18 PM
Big blocks can handle the same as a smallblock and a small block can be made as fast when compared to the general standard people have built big blocks to over the years.
A big block will always have the potential for greater power.
A small block will always have the potential for greater handling.
With the same amount of suspension work the small block will handle better.
With the same amount of engine work the big block will produce more power.
A big block will always have the potential for greater power.
A small block will always have the potential for greater handling.
With the same amount of suspension work the small block will handle better.
With the same amount of engine work the big block will produce more power.
Couldn't of said that better myself.
The V6 is technically a small block. lol
Going round corners is dull anyway. Its far more exciting to dice with the reaper each time you turn the wheel lol
i would vote x/c16xe as i have had the most fun in it so far, although the Let i havent really drove propperly
i would vote x/c16xe as i have had the most fun in it so far, although the Let i havent really drove propperly
I await your response once youve driven the LET for a while :p
yea im guessing it will be let all they way.
Still collecting parts together, just got to order pistons then its a case of building it all back up
Have fun getting traction lol
Small block FTW!
Thats what the internet says. How often do you launch from standing start on road? Not often.
Once rolling and you plant your foot, it accelerates like fook :cool:
ive had many 1.2s and was never impressed = your doing it wrong.
agreed. a 1.2 on 145 tyres on a slightly damp road is hilarious...
going to try and have one of each.
big block daily and small block for the toy.
personally, if i was young enough to have a nova as a daily, what with all the technology to catch speeders, i'd have a small engined one & do it more for fun, so 1.2, maybe 1.3 with a gte box, decent suspension, and some nice 165 tyres.... overtyring a car is a crime.....
yea im guessing it will be let all they way.
Still collecting parts together, just got to order pistons then its a case of building it all back up
Decidef what pistons yet?
big block people need these
http://qedmotorsport.co.uk/qed-shop/vauxhall-xe-c20xe/specials/aluminium-engine-block
scott.parker
09-05-11, 05:07 PM
big block people need these
http://qedmotorsport.co.uk/qed-shop/vauxhall-xe-c20xe/specials/aluminium-engine-block
Nice, but you have to be going competitive for the money on that!
NOVA saloon
09-05-11, 06:13 PM
big block people need these
http://qedmotorsport.co.uk/qed-shop/vauxhall-xe-c20xe/specials/aluminium-engine-block
Pure porn!
bainyboy sr
09-05-11, 06:16 PM
Ahh thats better grooge :thumb:
going to try and have one of each.
small block daily and big block for the toy.
Nice, but you have to be going competitive for the money on that!
or stupid :d luckily if i had 2500 id go with the stupidity :d
V8 lol
david dixon
10-05-11, 12:04 AM
C25XE if you running a tight ship! couple of hundred pound for plenty of torque and easy and cheap to gain more power from.
David.
big block people need these
http://qedmotorsport.co.uk/qed-shop/vauxhall-xe-c20xe/specials/aluminium-engine-block
Do they do one in smallblock? :d
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