Trying to think of a catchy title.

Im really in limbo here. Opinions Highly Welcome/Needed! I just pulled the engine in trans out of my car and am stuck with a big one . The 305 besides being a wuss engine is very clean! "must have been the mobil 1 the last 4000 miles "
But its in very nice condition, I pulled a main and a couple of rod caps off to check bearings and they were barely worn, the crank looks excellent. I could get away with a minor overhaul and a cam better suited to a 305. Oh and if Vader reads this yep the timing chain was off 4 teeth.
The problem here is I need good fuel economy "service calls for work suck!" and of course a reasonable amount of power.
I have a 327 that needs minor work and a 350 that needs about the same amount of work as the 327. Heres where im stuck. The th350 is going, Im putting in a 700r4 for highway milage. The 2:73's are going, I should be getting in the 3:42 gears in a couple of days. With any of the selected options what engine would you use?

Ive heard good things about 327's and fuel economy. Ive never driven a car with a 327 in it long enough to see if its getting 18mpg so im unsure.I would really like to use one though.

Ok enough blabing any help or suggestions would be very appriciated!!!!
Thanks
SSC

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85 Camaro, 355/400 "drag car" in moth ***** 13.1@ 101mph on its last season run.
Plans: Possibly add N20 for next season.
82 Firebird, 305/350 currently moth balled.
Current plans: Rebuild 305 with flat tops instead of the dished "cups" for pistons or slightly built 327 with the 58cc heads from the LG4, Upgrade the 2:73 to 3:73 or 3:42 and replace the turbo 350 with 700r4.


"Web site under construction"

G0D Bless.

 

I wouldn't consider a 327 a good mileage engine. Its a good motor to put a cam with some duration to it and rap it out.
350 probably would be better in low end torque and the 305 easily best in mileage.

If its a stick I'd think about the 327, if auto go with the 350.

 

the 350 no question if you want a driver and a moderate amount of preformance. the 327 is more of a high rpm engine, actually the 327 is my favorate SBC for street type preformance but you have to run them in the higher rpm ranges.

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ICON Motorsports
1st & 3rd
MM Black Diamond 538 F&AM

 

Super, put the 350 in your car and I'll be down to get the 327 out of your way...

 

Yea I know you also want that 3:73 posi also

this is tuff! I think the 305 will find a home in my new 4x4. Its really a nice engine and I was planning on putting the 350 in that truck but oh well it should work good infront of the 5 speed.. So the 350 is the general consensis and Im was leaning toward it because parts are dirt cheap. I guess I'll tear it down tonight for a closer look.
Thanks guys!
SSC

 

SSC,

I'm glad you found the problem. Now on to the solution.

I commend you for listing your options and determining how you want the vehicle to perform. You've done your homework and have the difficult part behind you. It would be nice if more people would have a vision for the final product before starting the work.

Given your choices and your requirements, I'd certainly go with the 350 if it is repairable condition at all. Then again, there are many combinations of the SBC 350, so a little more information would make the advice a little more absolute. What are the casting numbers on the case/heads? Specs?

The 350 should provide virtually the same fuel mileage as the 305 on the highway, and may have a slight (VERY slight) disadvantage in traffic. The 327 isn't really practical for a daily driver emissions vehicle for stop-and-go traffic. If the 350 has reasonable static compression and decent heads, you should be able to have plenty of torque, horsepower, and mileage.

If the 350 is not worth the investment, the 305 is probably the next best choice. However, since the engine is already apparently removed, the temptation to do whatever is necessary to build the 350 would be great. The 327 heads may be a better fit for the 350 if the original pistons are dished and you have 76cc heads. Some 350s left the factory at 8:1, and need all the help they can get.

The TH700-R4 is a good mate to the 350 and the vehicle. If you are doing any significant amount of highway driving I would personally choose the 3.42 diff over the 3.73. The difference can be compensated a little with a good torque converter, and the lockup on the 3.42 is going to yield better mileage and less wear. Some people would choose the 3.73 just for the launch, but a well built 350 in front of a 3.42 will provide more launch muscle than the vehicle needs off the line, especially with street tires. Any extra power will dissipate as heat and smoke, anyway.

I'll add my name to the list of disposal contractors for the "scrap" 327, too! I recycle responsibly, and you can be sure the old iron would be put to good use.

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Later,
Vader
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Justice and Freedom will Prevail
Adobe Acrobat Reader

 

327 fan myself. Ran one in my 68 chevelle, got 24 mpg highway. Running the same motor in my 70 1/2 ton get 18 mpg highway. People talk about them being high revving, yes they love it. But in stock trim they were only down 30lbs torque from the 350. I pull a horse trailer with mine no problem with hills. Last vacation over labor day, I took 1000lbs of gear plus towed a boat up into the mountains. Had no problems. This is with a lousy 3.08 gear too. Not sure how the emissions would work though. Never had to worry about that.

 

For some odd reason 327's are a dime a dozen around here, $100 the only problem is they don't have the good or any heads for that matter.

I took the 350 apart and it looks like it might have to be taken out a bit. The crank is scored but not bad, a good turning should do the trick. I'll post the casting numbers tomorrow.

So here's the basic setup so far, fuel friendly I hope. I'm shooting for an engine I can run on our standard crap 85 octane.
350+. 30 "355" Pistons recommendations welcome.
700r4. Two to choose from. One out of my 85 camaro and one from an 89 caprice "4.3", was a cop car but I haven't had any conformation if it was built with all the goodies.
10 bolt 3:42, power trax turning fast yields a pop sound but from what people are saying its typical.
holley 600 vac sec.
Action+ non egr.
I'm stuck with the lg4 exhaust manifolds for the time being but if they are really bad that can change.
Also I'm not going to use the comp 270H so I might get the ?252? I'm unsure if the number but it's the good gas mileage one. I'm thinking that cam with the gear selection and 700r4 should be quite potent in the streetable power band.
Thanks guys your help is very appreciated especially when I get the more power itch and end up with something that's not streetable.

SSC

 

Heres the casting numbers for the heads and block.

Heads: 3973487.
Block: 3970010.
Info?
SSC

 

Just my .02, if you don't like the LG4 exhaust manifolds, update to the later TPI manifolds. They flow pretty well and you can usually grab them pretty cheap off the board and it's a direct bolt in.
I had a 327 210hp in my 68 Camaro Convertible backed with the slip and slide powerglide. One tough little motor.
My old 305TBI found it's way into a truck after I pulled it for an L98 TPI motor.

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Rob P
89RSconvtZZ4TPI Edelbrock Intake
SLP Dual Cold Air Intake 1 5/8" Headers Semi-Siamesed Runners, IROC
suspension, alum shaft. Numerous mods.
92Z28convt5spd (stock)
71Impala convt 402BB
BETTER DRIVING THRU SUPERIOR HORSEPOWER!

 

Vader help me out here, but I think the TH700 out of the 89 caprice would be better, didn't they make general improvements on it that make it better then the earlier models?? Im pretty sure that's right but that is assuming it is the same as what F-bodies got.

Hope that helps for tranny choices.

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1989 Trans Am GTA - Flame Red Metallic, L98 5.7L TPI, TH700-R4, T-Tops, 3.27, 9-bolt rear, dual cat
- K&N Air & Oil Filter
- Dynomax muffler

1992 Camaro RS - Hawaiian Orchid, LO3 5.0L TBI, T-5, T-Tops, 3.08, 10-bolt rear - Sold
- K&N Air & Oil Filter
- L69 Dual Snorkel