Small Block & Big Block Chevy Specific - Dart Big M vs. GM Bowtie BB

Im planning on a procharged EFI 540 good for about 1000hp maybe more later... I was originally going to go with a Dart Big M block.. however somebody is selling an untouched GM Bowtie Big Block P/N 24502500 which is the race version reg deck tested to 1200hp. He said he will give it to me for 2000 which is 200 lower than GM's price.. Is it worth checking this out or should I shell out the extra 3 hundred or so to go with the originally planned Dart Big M P/N 31273444.

also.. do any of these blocks allow me to use a thrust plate instead of a button to hold back a roller cam?

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Dart with billet caps. If you're building that motor, you should use a Jessel, so don't worry about the cam moving.

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ahh i didnt think of using a diff drive.. thanks

The machine work on the GM block is a lot better than the Darts and the material seems harder also. I don't know if GM offers a steel cap version though.

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Just finished a 557" Dart big M for my slow car. Best block for the money, hands down. Material is the best quality, machine work was perfect. Not one problem with anything. We will be using for every 4.84 we build. I have a bowtie block 582", strength & quality was much less. Merlin's are good, but not as good as the Dart. Good luck, at 1000+ HP you will not be disapointed spending a few hundred for the billet cap Dart.

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