496 vs. 427
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 2,130
Likes: 1
From: mesa,az
496 vs. 427
everyone who is knowledgable keeps telling me to build a 496 for my 65. keep saying if your gonna go big block go 496. still for some reason i like short stroke engines. they just sound good tome. so i really think i wanna build a 427. am i crazy, i mean this is gonna be a 10K engine and i don't want to waste money. it's not like we can get a bite out of the hole. i'm looking for an engine that comes alive between 2500 and 6500 RPM but dosent make me couch and spit at 2000RPM. am i wrong , should i listen to wiser peiople.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 217
Likes: 1
From: Suwanee GA
427 vs. 496
I just went from a mild 427 to a moderately stout 496. I wanted a broad powerband with tons of low end and mid range grunt, and to pull to 6000 rpm. And it all had to fit under a stock BB hood.
But from the goals in your post, it sounds to me like you should build the 427 with a solid roller cam. Plenty of people on here will give you positive feedback on both set ups. Bottom line, if you are gonna spend that kind of coin, it will be righteous no matter what size motor you do.
But from the goals in your post, it sounds to me like you should build the 427 with a solid roller cam. Plenty of people on here will give you positive feedback on both set ups. Bottom line, if you are gonna spend that kind of coin, it will be righteous no matter what size motor you do.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 958
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From: shawnee ks
Cubic inches rule on the street.For that kind of money a gm 502 or 540 would be more fun to drive without having to spin it so high.Lot of guys dont even bother with anything smaller than 500 inches anymore when your buying new.10k can get you alot of engine these days. Even with a warranty.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 2,130
Likes: 1
From: mesa,az
with almost 1/2 " less stroke a 427 just has to be a better reving engine. less piston speed for the same revs, right. I always worked on the theroy less piston speed for more longevity in an engine? it seems like there is no upside to the shorter stroke crank? 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 958
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From: shawnee ks
Not anymore. Clearances and superior product can produce way more power with cubes. My 632 will out rev just about anything to 7000rpm.How much rpm will determine your longevity but a bigger engine wont have to rev as high for the same power. The high rpm is most stressed on the valvesprings.Any modern bb can turn 6000 no problem,no need to spin farther on the street.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
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From: Corsicana, Tx
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I'm with Big632.....for 10K you can build a real nice 540 that will buzz 7000 rpm anytime you want and put you back in the seat in 4th gear like crazy.
If you are determined to build a short stroke motor..go with a 4.500-4.600 bore and use the 3.76 stroke. It will fly, but it's better suited to 8000+ rpm stuff.
My 540 is lots of fun, can drive anywhere etc etc. And this is from a guy who still has the same 427 for over 24 years! They are great, I really love them, but there's no way I would start form scratch to build one these days...just doesn't make sense.
JIM
If you are determined to build a short stroke motor..go with a 4.500-4.600 bore and use the 3.76 stroke. It will fly, but it's better suited to 8000+ rpm stuff.
My 540 is lots of fun, can drive anywhere etc etc. And this is from a guy who still has the same 427 for over 24 years! They are great, I really love them, but there's no way I would start form scratch to build one these days...just doesn't make sense.
JIM
