I have a Corvette I would like to put a BB in and thought I would like a 427, as they were available in 66, but seems like the 454 is easier to find, and often cheaper to buy. What gives with the 427? Any ideas?

427s were only made for a few years, whereas the 454 has been made fpr many more. Thst would explain the availibility.

They have the same bore, the 454 is a longer stroke.................much can be done with a 454, but the 427 is more desirable for classis such as yours.

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The 454 has a longer stroke, thus more torque.
It has 27 more cubes, thus more HP.

427 is the magic number that everybody hears about in bench racing sessions. Use the 454 and say it's a 427.

Larry

i tend to lke the 427 better. i mean its a big block, they both gonna kick *** down low but the 427 will scream higher. but yeah 27 cubic inches is alot to sacrifce. they both have the same main journal diameter from memory. by a 454 and buy a 427 crank aswell so you can swap em over and decide for yourslef

Good to see someone else that likes a 427 over a 454... The reg 454 cranks are external balanced and the greater portion you`ll find are cast... (of course you can get a steel internal balance crank for $$$) But most all 427 cranks are steel and are internaly balanced and also the 1/4" shorter stroke sure seems to make them wind up alot quicker... One other really good aspect is the 427 parts (pistons & cranks mainly) can be had for cheap as everyone wants to build a big mountain motor...? I found a complete 427 short block that had nice forged TRW 12 to 1`s steel crank with the good truck rods (bushed too) for a big $300 dollar bill... Oh and a good 2 bolt block too... With a little pampering (ARP all the way) file fit rings and a good set of 781`s this combo`s final cost was just shy of $2000 (including machine work and parts) and pushes my 69 C10 on the track at 12.5/110mph... But it still goes to Wal-Mart on grocery day too...

For a street car.........I prefer a 427.

I bought a new 1969 Nova Super Sport with a 396 - 375 HP aluminum head motor. It was a 4 speed, 4.10 gear car.

I bought a new 427 4 bolt main 425 Horse Power short block and installed it.....making my own " Yenko style " SS Nova.

When the 454's came out..I had to have one. I bought one from Chevrolet ( the 454 - 450 HP.....complete engine for $800 and change... ) ....The 427 was quicker.....it revved up better and had less bottom end power so you could hook up better.

Late in 1970, I bought a 1970 Chevelle SS 454 - 450 HP ( the LS 6 ).with a 4 speed. It ran good, but as a heavier car, and a different suspension........it used the 454 power well.

I kept the Nova and turned it into a all out drag car.......with license tags....for those spirited little tests out on the back roads after midnight for MONEY $$$.

Note.....this was 35 years ago and STUPID then......and even more so now......Street racing KILLS..

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I went to the school of hard knocks ...
where the tuition is high but the retention is exceptional !

put a 396 crank in a 454 block=427

The 396 crank is different than the 427 crank....

The stroke is the same but the weight is way different. You would have to balance the engine for sure......( something I would do anyway......but most machine shops charge EXTRA to balance a 396 crank in a 427 )

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__________________
I went to the school of hard knocks ...
where the tuition is high but the retention is exceptional !

Not to totaly dissagree but from what I have seen the 6223 steel crank that was used in 396, 402 & 427 are all the same even with the throw weights...? If you have some information (possibly a link) to prove what your saying then please share it with us (just would like to see the info no offense intended)... I know about the difference between the 305 & 350 cranks but it is a common dirt track trick to use the 305 crank as its lightweight and can be used with lightweight pistons and certain light rods...

I worked in a performance speed shop............back in the day. ( 1969 to 1972 )
We had a Stewart Warner balancer.......and always had trouble getting the early 396 cranks to balance up right in a 427.

Perhaps we can get Machine Shop Tom to sign in on this......


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__________________
I went to the school of hard knocks ...
where the tuition is high but the retention is exceptional !

These days if you have a big block less than 500 cid it's borderline Small block. With Small block kits at 450 plus I'd stick the 454 in it. but if you want nostalgia, go for the 427.

Is this true?
I thought that BB had GOBS more torque than SB, given the same displacement.

Was your vette an original BB?

454 as a minimum. Why give away cubes? And bore it out 90 to a 477cid.

A 454 will kick a 427's *** (if both engine are built with the same parts). Just like a 427 with kill a 396, or a 350 will beat up a 327, or a 383 over a 350, or a 400 over a 383.

Cubes make more power and more importantly, more torque to get the car moving.

I would also consider doing a 496! 4.240" stroke cranks are cheap!

However now-a-days, there are some cheap 406 sbc's out there making some huge numbers thanks to high quality sbc heads. I often see 450 hp and 525 ftlb of torque from 406 sbc's which is basicly BBC power in a light weight, compact package.

pm machineshoptom about this, or another machinist