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Originally Posted by r0nin89
Basically I am seeking the opinion of people on here about my 327 build. The reason I come here is because back on TGO they bash anything thats not a 350,383, or 400. So I'll tell you why I decided to go with a 327. Besides the fact that I got my block for free my uncle pursuaded me to do a 327 rather than a 355 when i was talking ti him about swapping it in. He said he felt the engine was more proven and a better platform than a 350 and that being my car was gonna be a daily driver it would yeild better streetability and gas mileage.
Now I went to TGO and asked some opinions on the build and had included that I ordered a 468hp 327 build up guide ect ect. The first response I got was pretty good about a 327 being a great motor and than everyone on TGO will give you ****, and like he said I got 8 more replys of why start with the same engine but with less cubes, 350's were designed to replace them, and your uncle is living in the past when 327 was king sbc but it isnt anymore. So I am coming here because I know we have guys here with knowledge and open mindedness that have spanned work from 307's-LS1's. So I know I can make good power with a 327 but the question is whats the downside to the 327 and the upside to a 350?
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Like everything in life, there is a tradeoff. Cubes=torque Less cubes=less torque. HP = (torque * RPM) / 5250. That said if you want a given HP level, then a smaller motor will need more RPM to generate the same HP. So if you are willing to spin the 327 a bit and run more gear, then go for it....You can make the same power as a 355, but you will need to spin it a bit more. That begs the next question? Are you willing to spend $$$$$$ to accomodate the upgrades to spin the motor to a higher RPM??? If so build the 327.
A 327 that makes 468 hp at the flywheel is doing pretty good, that's 1.43 hp per cube, I'd image that's a motor that's spinning 6000-6500rpm regularly (a sorta peaky motor to drive everyday), has good aftermarket heads, single plane intake, 750DP, stout valve train (full roller rockers, studs, guidplates, goods springs, TI keepers, good valves), studded bottom end (2-bolt?), maybe a cast crank, but probably a forged one, good aftermarket rods or at least reworked stockers with good bolts, good machine work and assembly. That's not a cheap motor, nor would it get 15mpg and I'd bet that to really make it work you'd need 4.10's, maybe 3.73's.
If you are after low 13's and reasonable street manners the bigger motors will get you there easier and for the same, maybe less cash. If different is what you are after, then the 327 is hands down the winner. You have to decide what you want. Do you have a crank? Is it small journal or large journal? How heavy is the car you are putting it in? Look at the total package and go from there. I personally wouldn't build a 355 unless I had a crank lying around. If I had the 327 crank, then I'd build the 327, nostalgia is a good thing. If I had to buy the crank I'd do the 383.....just easier to make the power, that's all.
Look at the BB crowd, few people build 396/427's anymore even though there is something about a 427 that makes people go oohhh aahhhh. If you are starting from scratch guys don't build less then 500 cubes, or with a 454 block they go to a 468 or 489 or 496......cubes equal power
Look at the LS1 crowd, when the stocker goes bye, bye.....the next evolutionary step is either a stroker kit or the upgrade to a 408? Nobody downsizes to the 5.3 (327 approx.) and spins the wee of them...why? cubes=torque and thus more hp....
I am not trashing ya, just make sure you have clear goals of what you are after, then the decision will be easy. A nicely built 327 (375-400hp), 3.73 gears and a manual tranny with OD or an AOD would be a nice ride and probably get you low 13's in a 3400lb car and be easy to drive on a daily basis.....that's a guess
Good Luck
Chris