I would like everyone's opinion on the Chevy 327 as far as a street engine. I'm still new to building performance engines, but what I was wondering is if built right, would a 327 be a pretty stout street motor and maybe be able to hold it's own at the strip? Would it be a poor investment to go into a 327 to get the lopey cam, etc. just for pep on it, or would it be a better starting place with a 350. Thanks.

Nathaniel

As much as I love shorter stroke engines like the 327, a 350 will cost about the same, maybe less, to build, be less radical and high strung, and make the same or more power. It really is hard to beat the 350.

I really like the 327s. If built right they can hold their own, and beat many 350s, although it may cost a little more to build one. There is a 69 Camaro at my strip with a 327, and it takes a lot of 350s to school. But then again, the kid is rich and his Dad paid for everything. Just goes to show how far money can go.

Build the 327, get some deep gears (4.88s) and some fat tires.

I've got a 327 in mine and I love it. Match your heads, cam, compression ratio, converter stall, rear end ratio carefully and you will have a decent engine.

If I already had a complete 350, I would build it, but if I was starting out with a clean sheet of paper I'd consider doing a 327.

327's rock, My son and I are slowly getting one together for his 70Nova. 9.5-1 comp speed pro pistons, ported 462 heads, xtreme energy 268 solid cam, eagle H-beam rods, stud girdle, melling hv pump, 1 3/4 headers, rpm airgap intake, 650 double pumper.
If I hadn't come across the good deal on this 327 I'm sure we would have built a 350, or 383, or 400. I've had 327's years ago and was impressed by how fast they spun up. It should make enough power for my son's 4speed Nova. If you've got a heavy car definately build a larger engine. graemlins/thumbsup.gif

My father had a warmed over 327 out of a Corvette in his 63 Impala and beat an LS5 or LS6 in 1970. "Supposedly" the velle spun his tires. ;) Either way, the 327 won graemlins/hurray.gif Nothing that would help techincal wise, but it goes to show you that a 327 can hold its own.
Chris

I have had a couple of them and still have enough parts to assemble 2 more....They are very good engines... At one time the 327 was THE engine to use.

If you go by factory HP ratings then the Special HP 340/350/360/365/375 HP 327 made more HP per cubic inch than any other mass produced domestic muscle car engines made.

That said times do change.The 350 was designed to replace the 327 and needless to say did more than a fantastic job.... The Factory HP 350's were at best on par with the HP327's but by then the cars that the 350's were in were generally heavier than the cars that mostly had 327's in them.

The 350's main advantage is it produces more torque than the shorter stroke 327 does.This makes for a very drivable engine.... not that the 327 isnt driveable...they certinally are but I think you must be a little bit more carefull when thinking through your combination.If you get your engine / trans-converter / gearing combo correctly
you will find a good 327 to grab RPM with a vengence and make great power and be quite realiable..... But the same goes with the larger engines....

These days there are zillions of 350 piston combos and only a few 327 ones easilly available so it's easier to build a 350..... Heck there are legons of younger kids out there who have never even heard of a 327.... I dont know how many kids at work when they asked about my El Camino and I opened the hood and they saw the 327 decal on the air cleaner...asked " Whats a 327 " ?..... Too bad.....

Yes the 327 is a great engine and one worth building as long as you realize that they require a bit more carefull planning .... especially with respect to carb / cam and gearing.

Im 17 and I know 327's are awesome my dads 67 vette has a pretty much stock 327 with only a cam change and that little sucker loves to pull past seven grand. I know 7000 isnt a lot but it is for a totally stock 35 year old motor. It isnt balanced and blueprinted to .1 gram at a 3" like some of todays motors. If the car is light then 327's are amazing motors that'll pull you to the stars but if u need to move a big car more cubes are in order, unless you would like to drive down the highway at 5000. graemlins/clonk.gif

How 'bout for '66 Chevelle? I know that is a heavier car. So I guess if you get the combination right, you could have yourself a pretty good street motor that'll pull good.

I was talking with my Dad and he remembered one of his friends who had a '67 Chevelle with a built 327, and with slicks he would lift the front tires off the ground smile.gif .

Thanks all who responded.

Nathaniel

In a light car 327s work fine. In a 2 ton tank you need torque something they are a little light on.