Which would you rather have, a 327 or a 350, and why? I like the idea of the higher revving 327 but more cubes is better. So which would you pick?

 

I'd take the 350. If you want a high revving engine, build a 302 using the 350 block and a 283 crank. The 327 has the same bore as the 350, but only came in two bolt main versions I believe. The 327's had forged cranks though, so if you do build a 327, use a 350 block.

 

IIRC the journal size is differant so that combo won't work.

 

The 350.

 

I think the journal went from 2.30 to 2.45 in 67? Not sure. You just need a large journal crank. They're out there.

 

You can obtain a better rod ratio with the 327.

 

a 350 will out preform a 327 in every respect. more inches is more power and more potential for power. with that said i like the 327, i have a 335 in my old car.

 

The later 327s had the same journal sizes as the 350, also there were several 4 bolt 327 blocks built, most ended up in vettes and chevelles. But the 350 is a much better choice for performance, as far as rod ratio, increase the 350s rods to 6 inch and the point is no longer valid.
Perry

 

I'd go with the 350.

 

The factory never made a 4-bolt 327. 1st 4-bolts were big-blocks, small blocks got them for the first time on 350's ('67). '68 & '69 327's had the large jounals, same as 350. Cranks were steel until the large journals.

327's were nice engines, 350's are better HP/$-wise.

 

327 all the way

 

a 383.......

 

327! or a 302. Just because it has more cubic inches doesn't make the 350 "better". A larger bore, shorter stroke engine will make more power more efficiently. If the 350 had been made with a 4.125 bore and a 327 crank it would have been a better motor. Just my opinion

 

i say the 327, but I always like to be different, note the big block going int a 86

 

Wes is right, more cubes doesn't make the 350 better... it only makes it faster.

"makes power more efficiently"... that's debatable, but it's certain that it will be less power.

The 3.25" stroke and 4.125" bore is a great idea, far more worth executing than a 302 or 327. If you watch the race at Dover this Sunday, that's what you'll be seeing: 358 CID motors, with 4.155" bore and 3.31" stroke. You'll also do good not to lose sight of the fact that cost is no object to those guys. It costs far more to build a combo like that even out of junkyard parts than to build a normal 350; and the extra 1.3% or whatever it is of HP for that extra $1000 or whatever is not a very good deal for most of us.

This subject gets absolutely beat to death regularly, mostly by people who have never been there before, all talking about what they "think" or "plan" or are "going to do" or how they're going ot be "different". Those among us who have actually been building motors since 327s were everywhere don't build them any more, for only one simple reason. We could beat them with a 350!!! Either we built 350s, or we got beat by 350s. Which one sounds more appealing to you?

 

No. I'm hoping that you are saying this from personal experience and not just your opinion. I've had the chance to put together a few combinations in 350s and 327s and I'm talking from experience.

 

There's a certain degree of truth in that. However the fact becomes negliable when you start to consider that the new intake manifolds on the market are able to feed a 3.48 stroke crank effectively at higher RPM's. It's all a magical combination of parts, mechanical efficiency comes into play at least past 7000rpm. How many street/strip 350's have a redline past 7000rpm?

Not too many.

 

Over the past 20 years I have run or been apart of 7 ,6 inch rod 350s. But that doesnt matter because simple math shows the rod to stoke ratio to be more optimized with a longer rod in a 350. I am presently running a 6 inch rod combo in my LT1. Actually what exactly are you leading to? your experience in what proves a definite no in this situation? I realize the longer rod can also be used in the 327 but how many piston manufacturers do you know of that make the peice for this? Build two engine , one a 350 and one a 327 give both the benefit of optimium breathing and cam timing and see which one makes more power for a given purpose.

 

And that's what I have done. I've had the opportunity to put together several 8000rpm redline 327's and 350's and been at the dyno sessions. Simple math may show one thing, and the dyno charts may show another. We found in 350's that the 5.85 and stock 5.7 rods actually generated better hp and torque curves. Although, for lower revving 350's with smaller cams and smaller volume intake manifolds, a 6" rod should make a nice torque curve for street use I guess (that statement isn't from experience).

 

I havent had the chance to piddle with the 5.85 rods yet. What piston manufacturer are you using for a 6 inch rod in the 327? I dont have privy to a dyno on a regular basis so I have to go by track results mostly, But the 350s by far and away justify their 23+ extra cubes with either set of rods.

 

if the 327 is so great then why make your 350 a 383? see the way you guys sound? the 350 makes the same or close too hp and has more tourque too! so In my opinion don't was your time with a 327 it cost the same to make a 350 run just as high.

 

It is all a matter of opinion. I would probably build a 350 just for the fact that they are a dime a dozen. However, by your logic I could say "why waste your time with a 350 when a 400 will run circles around it, NO REPLACEMENT FOR DISPLACEMENT!!!!!!!!!!". If you like to have a motor with a dyno chart like a diesel truck motor then build your 383. I prefer to rev a 302 to 7000 RPMs. Someone has to teach these mustang guys that they aren't the only ones with a 12 second 5.0 HO.

 

I have a couple of 383s here locally that would like to argue your rev point with them, they rev every gear to 7 grand (one runs in the 9s in a Nova N/A). I also personaly had a 400 SBC that was a daily driver and continually reved to 6500 without complaint.

 

I never did it, so don't shoot me or string me up for only reading about it, but I did read that destroked 400's (383 using 400 block and 350 crank) could rev. I always wanted to try it.

 

For the 5.85 and 6" rod 350's we used Lunati Super Light flat top pistons (can't remember PN) . For the 327 we used just regular Flat top Lunati pistons. To get 6" rod ones for the 3.25 stroke they have to be called in and custom made. All the parts on the engine were Holley (except the heads) because we always dealt with Holley.

In low speed engines there is a degree of performance gain with every increase in stroke (up to 3.75") but, there is not a linear increase in output (power per inch) as the stroke goes up. There might be more torque but to attain a good specific power curve 3.48" is the most stroke to use without considerable work.

 

my 383 pulls WELL past 7000rpm. i've shifted it as high as 7700 so far.

 

327 is a good motor no doubt..but if i had to choose..give me the 350...9 times outta 10 the guy with the bigger hammer always wins.

 

Don't know why I get involved in these kind of discussions. . . But here goes.

It depends upon the intended usage and budget ($$$). There is nothing wrong with a 327. They run well. The lower piston speeds means longer engine life. If you are looking for a decent street engine with enough HP to move out, do it. I have and have never regretted it.

If you are looking for an engine that is to be raced then ci's win. Build the biggest engine on the planet. This means a 427ci or bigger SBC. If allowed build a BBC.

If the plan is to use some form of forced induction the rules change. Bigger isn't always better.

Just another opinion,

RBob.

 

I'd rather have a 377 or 400

 

well I am doing a sbc 400 right now. my 350 runs great in fact it made me question going to a 400. I know a few 327 eng. and yes they do run very well but, not as well as a 350 w/ same setup. but, what ever one you chose have fun they all kick ***!

 

I would never claim that a 327 would out perform the 350 with the same heads, cam, intake. But, if you had a standard 350 with a 4 inch bore and long stroke, and a 327 that was bored out to make it 350 CID with no change in stroke (I know it's not possible) and put the same setup on the 2 engines, my money would go on the latter.

You probably also have a professionally built motor with at least a forged crank, possibly other forged parts and some balancing.

You guys just think that by "better" I am saying more net horsepower. I say that the shorter stroke motor makes more HP/cubic inch

The 350 is not the greatest engine, they are just cheap and very common.

 

I've seen this debate a few times now.

FWIW, I took the time to make this chart comparing the 350 to the 327 while all other things remained equal. The results came from DD2000. Granted the program is not detailed enough to allow differences of using different rod lengths, piston height, quench, etc., but it's great for comparing the bore/stroke ratio comparison, as well as CID.

I don't recall what heads, intake, carb, or cam I used. It was a while ago when I made this, but I do remember using a single plane intake on both engines just to help give the 327 the benefit of the doubt, because we all know if I used a dual plane comparison, the 350 would win hands down.

AJ

 

A.J...Do you remember what cam you were using in the 327 on dd2000? I'm currently building my 327 I have 64cc heads with soon to be screw-in studs and guide-plates and some porting done. I have 110# springs . I will be running comp 1.5 steel rollertip rockers..the best I can come up with is about 370 hp with a .480 lift cam. What would be the most lift I can apply with these heads with a 3000 stall and 3:42's...anyone? I am looking to buy the cam, and I want the most aggressive selection i can make and still be "streetable". The 327 is .030 over now, may be more after the machine work is done. The motor will be balanced as well.
Any input is welcome........as far as my choice...well, I have a virgin 400 block for sale...

 

350!!!! parts are cheaper, easier to find, and the higher revving 327 would git worse gas mileage.

 

Which brings up the next point, which would win. A 350 chevy or a ford 351. Well the 351 would. Just because of how its built not because of 1 cube. But then again.... which would when, a chevy 302 or a ford 302. Well I think the chevy would. Taken the 67's 290 hp versus an 80's mustangs 210 or somethings stock. JMO.

 

CAN I JUST ASK, Pauldaniel26 (original poster), how do you want the engine to rev?

I personally dont see the purpose in revving a V8 past 7500-8000. For the cost of building each, the 350 can be built strong enough to rev just as high as a 327. Not to mention you will have a good 30-50 lb-ft more torque from the 350. That means you will get out of the hole quicker and can still take the motor to the 7500 or so rpm and have more hp and torque thru just about the entire powerband.

For cost and basic performance ideas, the 350 will yield better results. I personally would like to build the 327 because I like to be "different." But I decided a 406 is different enough for me. And I really like the idea of an extra 50 lb-ft of torque over the 350.

Pauldaniel26, you need to decide what you want for power vs. cashflow.