I just bought an 87 IROC w/no engine and a T5, now I'm trying to decide on an engine. I'll be using an LT1 intake and T56 regardless of which engine I choose. I like the 327 because it's rev happy but the 400 makes a crap load of power. The car won't see much strip action, mainly street and maybe eventually autoX. My friend has a 400 sittin' around that I could probably get for $100 but then I'd still be paying $450 for the T56 flywheel for it, so that would make the costs of each engine about equal. My first mods on either would be the LT1, cam, maybe converting it to roller and down the line new heads but I won't have cash to get either rebuilt right now. So the question is which engine would you go with? While I'm waiting on funds for the T56 would the regular T5 flywheel work with the 400?

 

There's no replacement...

 

Oh yeah, is one more expensive than the other to modify? Also keep in mind I have to pass emissions with this car.

 

If you get all the 'goodies' in there it should have no prob passing emissions with either. The oly thing that I would be worried about is finding a good head, that has egr.

The 400 is the only way to fly if you want to make real good hp on a budjet; but there are a lot of tricks in machining and assembly with a 400 to over come it's inherant flaws. A 327 is just as bulletproof as the 350, and you can make 350 power, with the bragging rights that taking 23 ci away will grant.

I guess it depends on your skills. Good choices, though; I love 350/383 alteratives!

 

327....With an LT-1 intake, some nice gears, and good came and full exhaust you will have one 5.0(ford and chevy)/5.7 killer.

 

for a bigger turbo
not everyone needs a bigger motor. look at me running a whole 80cid

can't you take the crank from with a 3.25 stroke like the 327 and shove it a 400sb to come up with 348ci?

but if it was me I would go with the 327 since I like the rev happy motors.

 

IMO, it'd be easier to make the same or more power and be emissions friendly with more cubes.

 

I know he'd need to get an aftermarket flywheel for the 400 to bolt up to a t5 or t56, but what about the 327? Can it use a normal 305/350 flywheel?

 

hello.
personally i'd go with the 327, wich will take any flywheel, bellhousing, clutch etc, etc, etc, that any small block 2 piece rear main seal will take.
sure you can't match cubic inches but the 400 i see it as a far too picky engine, and not a happy reving one.
is like matching an elephant and a tiger.
Fern.

 

i would go for the 400 if i was you take it and have its bored .30 over to make a 406 and trust me you will love the tq this motor puts out mine pulls so dam hard it almost hurts right now iam saving my money to buy a kit that summit sells to make it a 415 but its $2000.00 so it will take awhile i really like having branging rights that bigger is the only way to go CHP just did a story about a 400 small block and it put out some big time numbers it was a couple months ago but it you want i can look it up for ya




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