[C2] Help with 327 build.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 301
Likes: 129
From: Republican Protection Program, Maine
2025 C2 of the Year ('64-'66) Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Help with 327 build.
Hello folks, been researching/reading on building my 327. I would like to keep it a ~327, use the bottom, ie block, crank, rods, maybe pistons.
I have already bought AFR 195 heads, have a older performer dual plane intake with oil fill and a holly 650 and want to use 2.5 inch rams horn ported to Fel-Pro Exhaust Header Gasket Set 1405.
I’m think on using Comp Cams CL12-677-4 Mechanical flat tappet.
I live in a area with minimal city driving and love the sound of a high revving 327. I’m thinking my useful rpm range at 2,000-6,400 rpm.
The only engine I have built is a GMC 270, am I out to lunch with my 327?
Thank you for the help.
I have already bought AFR 195 heads, have a older performer dual plane intake with oil fill and a holly 650 and want to use 2.5 inch rams horn ported to Fel-Pro Exhaust Header Gasket Set 1405.
I’m think on using Comp Cams CL12-677-4 Mechanical flat tappet.
I live in a area with minimal city driving and love the sound of a high revving 327. I’m thinking my useful rpm range at 2,000-6,400 rpm.
The only engine I have built is a GMC 270, am I out to lunch with my 327?
Thank you for the help.
Popular Reply
Jan 20, 2021, 09:16 PM
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,765
Likes: 1,507
From: Willis, tx
There are some facts we have to face. Any kid can put a down payment on a new hi performance car. Old ladies drive 500hp sedans. My and your C2 ain't going to keep up unless you build a race car. When is the last time you went out and nobody noticed your C2? The point is we have nothing to prove, you are driving the coolest car ever built. (build a 327/365, with the money you save you can buy an expensive wooden steering wheel or something.)
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 7,098
Likes: 378
From: Las Vegas - Just stop perpetuating myths please.
So what is your question? You want someone to walk you through a sbc rebuild? Too many good books in print for that. If you can't make the effort to read some reference material then you are the hands of internet gossip and hearsay.
Good luck.
Good luck.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 10,700
Likes: 2,166
From: Golden Colorado
Unless it’s a “numbers” car there is no reason to build a 327 other than nostalgia. The basic cost of rebuilding an engine from 283 to 383 is basically the same. Now having said that the biggest factor is cylinder bore taper and piston wear/condition. If they are acceptable hone ring and bearings with maybe a crank polish will be cheapest. If you gotta buy pistons and bore than go bigger and newer. JMHO
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 301
Likes: 129
From: Republican Protection Program, Maine
2025 C2 of the Year ('64-'66) Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
I did know if resizing the rods would be acquitted for a street car. I haven't removed the rods yet, but it is a 1965 3858174 block with pad F0203HE. I was under the impression they had good rods. Cylinders look good with no ridge but haven't taken good measurements at this point
In my research I have seen some really nice 327,s with AFR 195's producing very nice power and would like to go that way. The 327 is what it came with, nostalgia.
I like the looks of 327 top swap
At this point I guess I'm having difficulty picking the appropriate cam.
Thank you for the input.
In my research I have seen some really nice 327,s with AFR 195's producing very nice power and would like to go that way. The 327 is what it came with, nostalgia.
I like the looks of 327 top swap
At this point I guess I'm having difficulty picking the appropriate cam.
Thank you for the input.
Last edited by 66rdstr; Jan 19, 2021 at 03:47 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 4,191
Likes: 951
From: Corpus Christi, TX
That cam is a bit much for a street driven car with a small motor like a 327. If you have tall rear end gears (3.90+) it won't be too bad, but otherwise, kinda doggy off the line. If the crank and rods will fit in that block you can make a 350 out of it at least; not sure about a 383.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 301
Likes: 129
From: Republican Protection Program, Maine
2025 C2 of the Year ('64-'66) Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Trying to keep it simple. Small journal crank. Thought I could have it blue printed and reuse or maybe I'm still in the truck building mode.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 26,118
Likes: 1,874
From: Greenville, Indiana
To keep it simple and (relatively) cheap, use a factory cam grind. I'd use the Duntov 097 or the .30-30 cam. They both fit the top end of your rpm range but you'll have to move the bottom rpm up to 2800 at least before they lay you back in the seat. Either cam doesn't require any fancy springs, rockers, machining or any extra $$$$$$ for compatible parts or machine work. Reliability is great. Maybe not so with after market?
Here is a link to a thread that talks about rod strength. No need to argue about it. Read the link and make your choice. If your engine hasn't been apart, it has the leas desirable rods.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-strength.html
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 301
Likes: 129
From: Republican Protection Program, Maine
2025 C2 of the Year ('64-'66) Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
That is good information Mike so now I need rods and pistons, more research. Hope the crank is sufficient.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 26,118
Likes: 1,874
From: Greenville, Indiana
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,765
Likes: 1,507
From: Willis, tx
The stock 327/365 is a great mechanical flat tappet engine, stay close to those specs and you can't go wrong. It was in my first C2 and had the best sound of them all. I have owned just about all the C2 engines except the tri-power 427s, my favorite engine is the 327/350.
Last edited by polo91; Jan 19, 2021 at 09:46 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 6,569
Likes: 2,404
From: Redacted
Cheers!
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,458
Likes: 331
From: Indy Indiana
the short stroke 327 will rev out of this world, use a cam that will utilize the higher revs, if you are just going to low rpm cruise, then go for displacement. to get you the best low end torque.
I have a 68 HT 327-350 with 2.02 heads sitting in my garage.. can't wait for something to put it in .. maybe a 66 chevy II
I have a 68 HT 327-350 with 2.02 heads sitting in my garage.. can't wait for something to put it in .. maybe a 66 chevy II
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 6,355
Likes: 424
From: Seattle Area WA
For your 327 the heads are a bit large. In running Brodix IK180s with an LT1 cam and intake, stock holley 585cfm carb. Stock pop-up style speed pro pistons L2166, getting hard to find but Northern Auto still has a few available. For rods I'm running Crower Sportsman. There are several motors with this combination here, heads may differ, several have ported stock heads and they run to 7k RPM no problem and put out 300 hp at the rear wheel.
Last edited by Scott Marzahl; Jan 19, 2021 at 10:07 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 7,098
Likes: 378
From: Las Vegas - Just stop perpetuating myths please.
Hey can I have those terrible small journal rods now that you don't need them. I'd like to build a budget offset stroker with them. Ahhh! Superstition gonna make this a great build for someone.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 301
Likes: 129
From: Republican Protection Program, Maine
2025 C2 of the Year ('64-'66) Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
I would respectfully disagree....although freely admit, I am probably in the minority. I have no love for "numbers matching" but I do love the driving characteristics of a solid lifter 327. Given the constraints of the factory chassis, and narrow tires, I really like the high winding almost European driving characteristics of the 327. I thoroughly enjoy driving around with the pedal mashed to the firewall regularly....a feat hard to replicate with the torque provided by a 383 build without blowing the tires off. Anyway, not looking to argue, just providing a counter point. Good luck with the rebuild. If it were my money, I would build the stoutest, angriest 327 I could get away with on pump gas.
Cheers!
Cheers!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 301
Likes: 129
From: Republican Protection Program, Maine
2025 C2 of the Year ('64-'66) Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Also, the people I bought the AFR 1034 is in stock, with hydraulic roller springs, the 1034 would have to be built with the flat tappet springs which takes about 4 weeks. So I would like some opinion on the proper cam. I guess I'm not opposed with using a hydraulic roller cam unless there is a good reason not to.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 6,569
Likes: 2,404
From: Redacted
You can order the AFR heads without the logo on them to tone them down a bit