Thread: A little help

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I am about to acquire a 1967 327 small block bare engine block along with weight matched .30 Over Muskogen Flat Top Pistons, .20/.20 ground steel crankshaft, and resized and weight matched 327 connecting rods. This block is a small journel 327. I am planning on having the block bored .30 over and everything else to make it a good builder. I am pretty new to the whole engine building thing so I was wondering if anyone had some ideas of where to go from here(heads, intake, cam, anything). The engine will be in a 1967 Camaro backed by a th350, I am planning on a new rear-end too so any input there would also be appreciated. I would like it to make anywhere from 375 to 400 hp if possible. Again anny input will be greatly appreciated. Thanks

I usually don't answer first-time posters, but I'll go out on a limb here and ask....What will be the primary purpose of this vehicle?

Mostly daily driving but i would like to do ok at the strip on weekends.

You can't have it both ways. A dual-purpose street-strip car cannot be optimized for either venue.

Any drag racing you might do these days will be bracket racing, where each competitor has a dial-in on his car. It doesn't matter how fast or how slow your car is, what matters is that it is consistent and that the driver can cut a good light.

You could build a nice running 327 motor with a short cam that would be fuel efficient and make good manifold vacuum for operating brakes and other accessories or you could build a motor with a big cam that would be a little faster at the strip but would be awful to drive on the street with little or no low end torque, horrible mileage and little manifold vacuum.

It's up to you, I'm just trying to give you the benefit of my 45 years of doin' this stuff.

John, have you considered a blow-through turbo or centrifugal blower set-up? You could have your cake and eat it too, having a mild-mannered street driver that would haul butt at the strip.

What would my options look like if i were to swap in an over drive tranny, like a th200-4r?

John, a friend of mine has a 327 with no blower or nothing sitting on a stand in his shop. He said before he pulled it out he had a bit over 400 HP. I can ask him what he has done to it and his oppinions on what kind of cam to run in it, etc since he is really into 327's and 400 small blocks. I think you can get around 350 HP no problem with a bit of money of course and have a nice streetable car though. Won't be the best on gas but then again wont be a total guzzler. I can't say too much on this subject though since I am still learning as well but basically techinspectors comments are true. Give me about a week or so for the guy to come back home and I will talk to him about his 327 and what he thinks on the cams, heads, etc.
Another option while you are waiting is call or Email Summit racing and tell them EXACTLY what you have in the motor now, what's done to it, what tranny you will run and the car it's going in and tell them you want to push around 350-400 HP and what they think can help you get there for the heads, cam, and everything else you need to complete it. Now if you want to run a certain brand like Edelbrock then contact them, tell them the same thing and then contact Summit and ask them about the electrical system and which one to get with the setup after ordering the Edelbrock. See what I am getting at?
Good luck on the build, 327's are awsome motor's and something a little bit different than the 350 like you see a lot.

Well the block that I was supposed to get fell through so I am back looking for a block. I've found a 327 short block at a local salvage yard for $350. It is from a 1968 Camaro which should make it a 2 bolt large journal engine. My question now is, is a small journal preferable to a large journal or visa versa?

Ok talked to the guy, he said he is running a fairly good sized cam but nothing major, hump back heads, domed pistons, polish and ported, and then of course upgraded intake manifold, carb, headers, fuel pump, oil pan and pick up. He said he ran it over 400 HP.

Thanks for the info, I found this kit at summit racing and thought it would be a good fit for what i am doing www.summitracing.com Part # TFS-K314-420-395. I am also thinking an edelbrock performer rmp airgap intake along with a speed demon 750 carb. If anyone has any experience with this kit or suggestions on others please let me know.

Don't overlook a Edelbrock carb, especially if this will be a street motor. Air gap manifold looks awsome. I think I may get that for my 85. Almost got it for the 66 but Edelbrock and Summit said it's not as good for street so they recommended the Performer series. I think this time I will try out that Air Gap.