I'm thinking about putting a 327 in my 88 GTA. Currently I have a 305 and wondered if the TPI setup would be able to be swapped directly? And also, what are the differences anyway? Is the 327 an actual small block or what? I don't often hear about a build up of this motor. How is it for boosting? Like 9 psi? Thanks... Floyd

 

Yes, the 327 is an actual small block. The reason you don't hear too many people building them up is that they haven't made them since the very late 60's. Your TPI unit could fit on there depending on which cylinder heads you use. Pretty much along the lines of a 302, though not as short of a stroke. Good size bore, shorter stroke. Pretty Rev happy.

 

Oh boy, I think this is going to be a long post just from the general questions.
1.) 327 is a small block chevy just like the 305 but the 327 is probably going to be a 2 peice rear main seal so you'll need a new flexplate/flywheel.
2.) TPI will bolt on but you might need to modify the intake bolts to fit on a 327. It all depends on the heads!
3.) The 327 is a 350 block with a smaller stroke so it revs higher. The 305 has the same stroke as the 350 but smaller bore.
4.) TPI is great for torque. A 350 would be cheaper and better with a TPI setup, a 383 would be better since TPI was designed to make torque, not hp (long runners on stock TPI). If you went with a 327 or even a 302 (350 bore but only a 3" stroke) I would look at a mini ram setup with short runners.
5.) If you plan on supercharging then consider heads with larger cc chambers and lower compression. Every small block chevy can be made to have really low to really high compression depending on the pistons and head combo, even milling the block deck and using different sized head gaskets.

It sounds like you aren't really familiar with cars yet. I sugest reading a LOT of the posts and searching the internet for information.

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, Jon (350 TBI!)
91 Red My website

 

The 327 is a nice unique engine to build-up but the big catch to it here would be money. I want to do it but the money is the largers problem with this motor, if you want to let it Rev high then you need to get a Mini or Super Ram and the cost major amount of money. Modifiing the Sotck TPI would let you breath more, but enough. The 327 is considered a REV engine but it still has more torque then the 305 and they can be great torque engines but a 350 or up would be better.

 

The 327 is a regular small block. A TPI would go right on it, no problem. But IMHO it's not an ideal combo.

A 350 can (and used to be) thought of as a 327 stroked .23". Just like a 383 is a .030" over 350 stroked .27". We all quit building 327s when the 350 became widely available, because you get more out of a 350 compared to a 327 for the same $$$ input.

Since the 327 has a shorter stroke, it tends to favor making its power at higher RPMs than a 350 would. This is exactly opposite to the design of TPI. I would suspect that there would be an even greater difference in performance between a TPI'd 327 and 350 than there would be between carbed ones.

A 305 has the same stroke as a 350, but a smaller bore. Its dimensions favor the TPI design.

 

Plus the stock cylinder heads found on the 327's arn't drilled and tapped for accessories. Small problem if you plan on swapping the heads...

I don't see why everyone is slamming the tpi on the 327 since it will still make more hp and torque than a 305. If you have it already why not? If you don't, a 350 would be a better idea.

Cam selection would be critical. The idea that a 327 is a higher revving motor than the 350 is true, but it will require less air to do so, so the tpi running out of breath @ 4,500rpm doesn't mean it will be this bad on the 327.

Siamesed SLP runners and intake with a good cleaning up of the plenum would be great on a 327 (like madmax ported his) while retaining the stock throttle body. The only thing req'd is SLP runners and a grinder and alot of time.

 

Put the same parts on a 350 and 327 and the 350 will produce more power. It will cost less to build as well. If you already have a 327, I would build it. It's a well designed engine and can produce plenty of power with a stock/near stock TPI. It all depends on how you build it--you don't have to rev it high. They put those 327's in old grain trucks. The 327 is just missing 23 cubes.

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82 camaro--original steering wheel, brake/gas pedals, seats--everything else modified
82camaro

 

the hell with the 327 get a 305 and build a 334 out of it!!! (No i'm just kidding I'm gonna catch hell for that) 327's are great motor, but for the readily available parts that there are for a 350 thats the way to go. but if you want a 327 go for it you won't be dissapointed.

 

GTA Force welcome to thirdgen.org. i love the 327 ,my favorite SBC, have one in my 68ss. i 327 with tpi isn't the idea combo ,tpi is low rpm and 327s like to spin fast to make power.

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