Thread: I want to get 425HP out of a 327...

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Hey guys, I recently decided to build up a new 327 for my vette with the goal of 425HP (I know thats a tall order). Im looking for some wisdom and knowledge on what all I need to do to make this happen. ANY suggestions on cranks, heads, cam, pistons, intake, compression ratio....anything really. It would be a GREAT help to me.
Thanks guys
-Fred-

Clean up bore, good machine work, aluminum heads 10.5-1 compression, balance, hydraulic roller with 272/282 duration (seat to seat) and .510/.520 lift should do it.

If you.re running an automatic trans plan on a 3500-2800 stall convertor/
.

Good luck

And a thick wallet, that'll be empty when your done

Originally Posted by DA34GUY

And a thick wallet, that'll be empty when your done

+1

Originally Posted by 1964Corvette

Hey guys, I recently decided to build up a new 327 for my vette with the goal of 425HP (I know thats a tall order). Im looking for some wisdom and knowledge on what all I need to do to make this happen. ANY suggestions on cranks, heads, cam, pistons, intake, compression ratio....anything really. It would be a GREAT help to me.
Thanks guys
-Fred-

Horsies are easy , How much torque are you looking for? Oh the big wallet coment is true.

A famous engine builder is reputed to have said:
You can have cheap, you can have powerful, you can have reliable.....Choose any two that you want

Its pretty do-able, but you need to decide if you can live with a "peaky" engine that makes all its power up at the top of the rev range or if you want it down low where street cars get driven the most. If the power is at the top of the rev range it will probably be a dog down low.

Or you can fit up a supercharger and have a torque curve that will put a huge smile on your face

I would have to suggest that you do a roller block stroker deal to 383/396---parts will cost about the same as the parts to make that horse power out of 327 and you can benefit from more modern cams/rollers----

Thanks guys! I know its gonna be a little on the expensive side, but I think it'll be worth every penny. I dont think im gonna go down the supercharger route, but that would be pretty cool haha. Right now I have an Edelbrock Performer intake on it and the air cleaner barely clears the Big Block hood I have on the Vette. So I cant get a taller intake, but does any of you know of an intake that just flows better without going any taller?
thanks guys.
-Fred-

AFR 180 heads, solid lifter cam, forged rotating assembly, and port match your Performer intake to the heads. With a camshaft large enough to get that kind of hp, you are going to be reving the engine to 7000 rpm to reach those power levels, and it will not be very street friendly. It would be a lot easier and much less expensive to accomplish those numbers with a 383. But if your heart is set on a 327, more power to ya!

Build a 383 stroker!

+ 1 for building a new one, especially if your 327 is still running ok; that way you will still have the car to drive, and can take your time on the build and not feel pressured to get it done, and cut corners. Besides, you are going to have to buy new parts all the way through, and machining will cost the same; you'll have a better and easier result, and still can keep it manageable for the street. I had a '64 roadster with a 365 horse, 327 in it, that was the factory engine with a solid lifter, lumpy cam, 11:1 compression, and high rise manifold with a Holley on it; it was streetable, marginally so, but it was also very touchy, even grouchy (like me), and I had to keep on top of the tune and valve lash, or it would really get cranky. You can definitely get more out of a 327, but like somebody said once upon a time, all it takes is cubic money; in this case the money will be pretty much the same either way - rebuild the 327, or go for a 350/383, and I imagine, in the long run, you'd be much happier with the larger build. Another thing to think about: if your 327 is the original engine, even if the manifold has been replaced, or a new cam, it is restorable. NOS cams, manifold (NOS or used), and other correct parts are available; if you ever wanted to restore the car to original, numbers matching, that is a big step in that direction; just store the 327 for a rainy day. I imagine a correctly restored '64 would see a value gain of at least double over what it would be with the hot rodded stuff in it.

Just some food for thought.

Good post, Rrumbler. I agree a hundred per cent.

4 speed car? Go for the 327. Crank is probably forged. Aluminum heads. Roller cam. Its just a smaller 383. Except a will be a screamer.

There is no substitute for cubic inches, I agree with those that suggested going with the 383. It's gonna look the same as a 327, you could even put the 327 stickers on it and who's to know, except you? You can get all that good power and torque and have a much more enjoyable car to drive. Just my @.02 see my sig for disclaimer.

Pat

This is my first post. Hi my name is Austin.

You say you want to build a 327 and of course you are going to get 40-11 people telling you to build a 383. Don't believe the hype, a 327 is an awesome motor, you will not need to do as much to get 425hp (or more!!) as people would like you to believe. I think you will be glad you did! 327 motors are great imo!