I am going to be building up my stock 327. I am looking for validation and opinion of my plan.
This motor will actually be in my '68 Corvette with a 5-speed Tremec & 3.36 gears. I will be using it for streetable "fun". I will not be racing it but want to be able to feel it if I hit the gas. Fuel economy is not a concern as I do not drive it much.
I am no expert in this area but I know enough to be dangerous. I would like to basically know if I am on track with this combo or if I am off track.
My idea:
1) XE262H cam (110 lobe sep, 218/224 dur @ .050, adv dur. is 262/270, lift is .462/.469)
2) Trick Flow aluminum heads (195cc/64cc, 2.02"/1.60 valves, 1.25" springs) 1.5 rockers
3) Edelbrock Performer intake with Edelbrock 600 CFM carb (manual choke PN#1405)
4) Thorley headers (1 5/8")

The bottom end of the motor is a stock 327.

Any input is appreciated. Help me spend my money without wasting it.

What compression are you planning on running? I know you mentioned that gas isn't a problem, so does this mean your looking to use 87 octane? 91 octane? I've never seen or heard of 93 octane in Cali, so I'll throw in 98+ octane?
I'm not a professional, but, I'm "feeling" that those heads might be a tad big for a 327. I can be wrong, but from what I know, those 195cc are more commonly found on 383ci+ motors. I'd suggest maybe something in the area of 180-185cc's. As for the cam, it sounds pretty decent, nice idle and "rumpety-rump" :D I'd presonally opt for an Edelbrock RPM or Air-gap intake, and maybe a 650cfm-700cfm carb, depending on compression ration. Like I said, I'm no expert, so I could be completely and utterly wrong here, just trying to help smile.gif

If you're going to run the XE262H, I would recommend a few things from the trend I've seen in combos on this forum. Like Alex, I'm no expert, so this is just what I think:

1) I would opt for AFR 180cc heads if you're going to go aluminum. If you don't mind running iron heads, I'd pick the stock Vortecs. I believe their runner size is closer than most alum heads to the heads used on the High HP 327s that Chevy built in the 60s. On top of that, they're a more efficient and more powerful head because of their combustion chamber and intake/exhuast runners when compared to the old HP heads. Plus, I bet they are cheaper.

2) I would use a Holley 300-36 (for AFR or Trick heads, not compatible w/ vortecs) RPM or Air Gap RPM (any heads). I think if you're gonna use an aggressive cam and good heads, you might as well use a good manifold.

3)600cfm carb should be more than enough for a mild 327. Even at 331ci (common overbored 327), at 6500rpm, 600cfm will feed the engine up to about 97% Volumetric Efficiency, and street motors rarely end up that high without a lot thought into every component.

Probably want to stay under 10:1 with iron heads, dunno about alum.

Just my thoughts.

Should run pretty well. Don't know about that exact cam, but with the similar Crane Energizer 272 as a guide, I'd shoot for 9.3:1 - 10:1 compression ratio.

The only other thing would be to get a distributor curved for that camshaft/engine combo.

Mike

just my .02, but if its the orig. eng., i would pull it and store it, and if your gonna run those rear gears, i would build a 383(prob for same money) and build it for torq. you will want a mild cam no matter which way you go, because it would never pull good in 5th gear unless your flying-if your gonna stay with the 327, i would step up to 373 gears min. to help it out
nothing is more fun on the street than an engine with good torq.-feeling it pull thru all the gears-good luck no matter which way you go

I ran a balanced, forged bottom end in my 331, with 9.5:1 compression, stock 1.94/1.50 291 casting camelbacks, Crane HMV 274 cam, roller rockers, and a 600cfm Edelbrock carb on a Torker II intake. Was a very fun engine with a 4 speed and 3.73's out back with 275/60-15 tires. Would turn 7k rpm in the water box in 1st. 8k at the top of 1st if you held it. I had a set of Sportsman II 200cc heads, but never put them on, figured it would kill the bottom end. Engine would idle at 650 rpm with that cam, too. graemlins/thumbsup.gif

I'd probably go with the smaller heads, or a bigger cam for that combo you're thinking of, Jeff. It's not going to breath right as is, IMO. Will feel lazy on the low end. They're not torque monsters to begin with.

Originally posted by Cameano:
graemlins/thumbsup.gif

I'd probably go with the smaller heads, or a bigger cam for that combo you're thinking of, Jeff. It's not going to breath right as is, IMO. Will feel lazy on the low end. They're not torque monsters to begin with. Can't speak about that cam in a manual shift car, BUT I'm running a similar cam and those Trick Flow heads with an auto and a 2500 stall converter. The low end is fine.

1) XE262H cam (110 lobe sep, 218/224 dur @ .050, adv dur. is 262/270, lift is .462/.469)

Ok cam but if you're staying non-roller you will do well just getting a 30/30 or reproduction of the 327/350 cam.

2) Trick Flow aluminum heads (195cc/64cc, 2.02"/1.60 valves, 1.25" springs) 1.5 rockers

I like the big valves and the stock rockers for the street but I'd go with some camel hump heads. 461,461X,291,462,186 or the equivalent 041s. I'd look for the latter of those with accessory holes and just put big valves with hardened seats in. Your springs would be matched to your cam, revs, yada. I have some 461s which will flow to 240 but you don't need that. Stock period high performance heads even small valve are good to 6000.

3) Edelbrock Performer intake with Edelbrock 600 CFM carb (manual choke PN#1405)

Like some others I'd go with with the Performer RPM, Weiand to 6500, or air gap. You can also get some older original intakes. I've got three or four. They're more money but kooler and they have intrinsic value. I'd also go with the 750. The 600 is fine except at the very top end.

If you're staying under 6000 then you have a great set up except I believe you'd be overspending on the heads.

Why not go with a good old CC 270S solid cam and wind the heck outta her!! Just install a cheap set of Z-, (-142), valve springs so she will rpm...

And, yes, big valve double hump heads and a 600 cfm 1850 Holley on a 300-36 intake along with a cheap set of four tube long headers will do very well if your CR. is say 9.5 to just a schosh below 10 to 1, imho...

Heck, an old 300hp/327 AFB intake with an aluminum adapter will even be fine!!

I like the old 30-30 cam, but imho, it needs a true 11 to 1 CR. to run it's best!! Even if it is "old-school"... But for more grunt go with an old "Little Duntov", -097 solid cam, also REALLY "old-school"!!! That is if you want to run a stock cam??

pdq67

Thanks for all of the great input.
Here is what I am going to do:
1) Stay with the stock heads
2) Add the headers
Enjoy this set up for a while until I get bored with it. In the mean time, I'll slowly build a 383 or 406 with all the good stuff, eventually remove the 327 and set it aside in the garage and drop in the stroker.
FYI - this will be the first motor build that I will attempt myself. It's time to stop watching someone else and do it myself. Plan is to buy a matched kit of some sort and not get too creative on my first go-around.
Any thoughts or recommendations before I jump in head first?

You're showing your age pdq. smile.gif

You're right about that cam setup and CR. I like those flat pistons and small chambered heads.

Check with Summit tech or Comp cams, yada and they can get you into the right cam. Just be prepared to answer a lot of questions.

jmort what's the numbers on your 327. I have been looking for an 870 block cast dated L**4 for awhile.

I like your plan. Buy books, go slow, ask lots of questions and don't spend money on fast parts if all you're doing is street stuff. At relatively low compressions these days cast cranks and pistons are just fine. Over 6500 then I'd build it stronger.

Keep us up to date.

I can check the numbers for you shortly (the car is about 30 miles away) although I will probably keep it because the numbers match the car and to the Corvette crowd this can be a big deal.
What I can tell you without checking th enumbers is that it is a 68 Corvette 327/300 motor.
I'll let you know.
Thanks again.

If it's original to that car I think you should keep it.

Someone's plan to pull that engine and store it is a good one IMO. Just store it right.

Here are the suffix codes possible for your 68 327/300:

HE .. 327 ..300 ... Roch. Q-jet & ManualTrans.
HO . 327...300 ... Roch. Q-jet &THM
HP .. 327..300 ... Roch. Q-jet, A/C, P/S, Man Trans

The only block casting number for that year was 3914678 for a 327.

You probably already know this since it's yours but I thought others might enjoy.

Best of luck with your project no matter which way you go.

You might also consider leaving that car as is and just work on restoring it. Even a 300 will be worth a lot of money some day.

Think about buying a driver like a 89-91 with 6sp. It'll eat old BBC vettes up and you won't believe the handling. And you won't spend a lot of money.

Just a thought.

here are the specs to my old 327.

327 bored .040 w/ KB .100 dome pistons
stock rods with arp bolts
stock small journal steel crank .020/.020
ported,polished,flowed 041 GM heads-2.02,1.60
custom ground schnider solid-248/254@.050 .530/.530 on a 108 lsa
port match edelbrock scorpion intake and 750dp

with a th350/3,000 stall, 3.08 peg leg and slicks my car ran 13.03@105mph.

With a better fuel system and bigger headers, 4.56 gears and a posi it ran 12.18@114mph.

The car was my daily driver when it had 3.08 gears and was very streetable and ran fine on pump gas. It had a good idle to it and pulled hard to 7500rpm.

SS that's a nice hot combo. Don't you just love to hear those small blocks buzzing. That's 400+ HP. Sweet.

Originally posted by jobberone:
SS that's a nice hot combo. Don't you just love to hear those small blocks buzzing. That's 400+ HP. Sweet. Yeah I miss that motor. I think it would have run in the 11`s with the right parts. It had enough motor but it needed better suspension and more converter. The 4.56 would`nt let it footbrake more than 2000rpms and the motor did`nt start really pulling till 4000rpm`s. with the 3.08`s I could launch at 3,000and it would flash to abot 4,000rpm`s but I could almost finish the 1/4 in 2nd gear. I`m going to build another just like it someday but I`ll use AFR 180cc heads instead of the stockers.

Don't know what condition your stock heads are in, but in the long run it might be cheaper to run the Trick Flows than it would be to put new guides, bigger seats, and bigger valves in the stockers. The added benefit is that you could use the Trick Flows on the 383 or 406 you plan on building.

Meanwhile, by running a better cylinder head you can run a milder cam which is easier on the valvetrain, and doesn't come with all the idle issues associated with the more aggressive camshafts.

Mike