Thread: 327 rebuild or swap

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I bought a 1968 camaro with a smallblock 327. I wanted more power out of it and have a budget of in the neighborhood of 2000. I went to recomended hot rod shop and asked what i could do. He said new cam and lifter kit, 4 barrel carb and intake manifold, headers and a dual exaust would easily bring it up to 350 hp from its stock 210. I found this hard to believe. If i put all these apllications on a engine with stock 68 heads i dont know how i could get that much power. My friend also has a 1994 350 lt1 reversed cooled smallblock. He is offering it to me for 1100. Im not sure which rout to go and if what this mechanic said was true. suggestions and opinions would be greatly appreciated
Thank you,
Mike


Mrmike52@optonline.net

Mike I had a 69 camaro with the 327 210HP engine and I put a 4 barrel 500 cfm carb and a wilder cam along with headers. Just with those improvements I got an extra 30HP. As you state, those heads are small but the 327 is a good engine with alot of potential.

Keep the 327. That's what I ran in my modified. Granted, a bit more than 2k in it, but was dyno'd at 570hp. I forget the actual specs at the moment, the 327 is sitting on an engine stand since I gave up racing, and went rodding / got married. Plan to put it in my '40 some day, when the other projects get done. and for less than 2k, get the 4bbl, new cam, and have fun. Watch the papers and the parts section on this site for some better heads. I'll be going to my old race shop within the next 3-4 weeks, and might still have stuff laying around. If I do, I'll post it here. Just my two cents. Besides, everybody has a 350 , be different; that's why I love my little Merc. 312, rarely see one around my neck of the woods.

Matt

Originally posted by mrmike52
I bought a 1968 camaro with a smallblock 327. I wanted more power out of it and have a budget of in the neighborhood of 2000. I went to recomended hot rod shop and asked what i could do. He said new cam and lifter kit, 4 barrel carb and intake manifold, headers and a dual exaust would easily bring it up to 350 hp from its stock 210. I found this hard to believe. If i put all these apllications on a engine with stock 68 heads i dont know how i could get that much power. My friend also has a 1994 350 lt1 reversed cooled smallblock. He is offering it to me for 1100. Im not sure which rout to go and if what this mechanic said was true. suggestions and opinions would be greatly appreciated
Thank you,
Mike


Mrmike52@optonline.net

if you gonna keep the EFI on the lt1 thats what i would do. if the miles was right, or if you gonna use a carb. id build what i had. JMO

Just to complicate your decision a little more......
If the 327 is original to the car, and the car itself is close to original, you could always put the 327 in the corner of your garage for safe keeping and buy the LT1 to beat on.

I'd do the same as pro70z28.....

Thanks for all your help guys, also i was just wondering if the boost from 210 hp to 350hp with the parts i listed was a reasonable number or way off.
thanks

Originally posted by mrmike52
Thanks for all your help guys, also i was just wondering if the boost from 210 hp to 350hp with the parts i listed was a reasonable number or way off.
thanks

that lt1 dont have 300 so you tell me.

The guy is blowing some smoke at ya, but that's typical for seat of the pants hp numbers.

To get 350 hp from a 327 you'll need to copy the factory L-79 engine of '65-68. See this link, about half way down the page; http://www.yearone.com/enthusiast/re.../momuscle3.htm

Note that your engine has small valve heads, no where near 11 to 1 compression, cast instead of forged pistons, and it's gonna take a 750 cfm carb to work with that stuff. Then there's the cam. The L-79 is pretty radical at 342 degree duration. All that said, the L-79 was a beaut!!

what if he doesnt sell it

Originally posted by gassersrule_196
what if he doesnt sell it

Then his kids will........

Need more info to give good advice. stick or auto? gear ratio?motor run good now? Does it smoke, burn oil,smoke on startup,etc, check compression, Is it good on all 8 cylinders? The original motor had flat top pistons and 1.72/ 1.50 valves.What 37 Chevy did way back when was right on track. If your motor is in good shape now and you want to improve upon it you will be suprised. Moderation is the key with the small valves. Not too big on anything. From Summit- Comp Cams K Kit cca-k12-206-2 = cam, lifters, springs, locks, retainers, valve seals,tining chain and gear set. $279.95, Hedman Elite Headers = HED-68278,small tube,1 & 5/8 full tube thermal coated, $264.88 splurge here, its worth it. Summit header-back dual exhaust system with 2 & 1/4 pipes,$129.95 anything bigger will hurt performance. Not shown,but you can get a Edelbrock performer intake & 600 carb, breather, gaskets for $359.95 Thats $1035 ad $519.90 for Vortec heads,go1 bigger cam,Summit fuel pump$49.95

It is a automatic, the engine does run good, doesnt smoke, im not sure about compression but i would check if i decide to do anything to it.
-mike

I meant to check to see how many characters I had and punched send by mistake. You're at $1605 . Throw in a Summit HEI distributor, $139.99 and a set of AcCel armor shield wires, $47.95 Summit Roller rockers $159.50 We're at $1952.02 + 8.95 handling fee=$1960.97 Humm, We still got money .What do You want? A set of Summit push rods, $28.50 or Edelbrock Signature series tall chrome valve covers,$34.95.Under $2000. and You still have lunch money. OFF COURSE! We are assuming You have something worthwile to begin with, If not we need to back up and punt. We could start over.

Originally posted by riverhorse59
I meant to check to see how many characters I had and punched send by mistake. You're at $1605 . Throw in a Summit HEI distributor, $139.99 and a set of AcCel armor shield wires, $47.95 Summit Roller rockers $159.50 We're at $1952.02 + 8.95 handling fee=$1960.97 Humm, We still got money .What do You want? A set of Summit push rods, $28.50 or Edelbrock Signature series tall chrome valve covers,$34.95.Under $2000. and You still have lunch money. OFF COURSE! We are assuming You have something worthwile to begin with, If not we need to back up and punt. We could start over.

looks like riverhourse has done all the work for you mrmike52 sounds good to me. it probably wont give you no 350 HP but it should still have some good st. power, if you go with the heads. might could go up one notch on the cam to. ive never run a 327 much, but he has and knows how to make them go fast. i kinda like the idea of the lt1 with the EFI but unless you.er into wiring it might not be a good idea. i belive this would make you a nice little hot rod.