[Richmozone]

I have a stock 64 belair and i want to juice this thing up. I have seen so many different combinations of intake,carbs and cams it making my head spin. I want the car to be turnkey but it's not a daily driver. I also need a screaming loud exhaust. Do straight pipes work or do i need some type of back pressure?

Any ideas? I am right in the middle of Milwaukee and Chicago. Any one recommend a good mechanic to make this 327 one for the record books. My budget is 6-8,000 smackers



Thanks!!!!!

Rich

[DoubleVision]

If you've got that kind of money to spend and want that kind of power the 327 has to go. You could get a big block chevy with that kind of money.
The early 327's were small journal crank, rods, and aren't known for strength. If you plan to stay small block go with more cubes. such as a 383 or 400. However by the way you talk you really want something that'll hump so it goes right back to my first suggestion, get a big block. The Chevy 502 crate engine should suit you fine.

[painted jester]

http://www.hotrod.com/techarticles/e...e/viewall.html

You already have the engine so: I think you'll find this article very interesting, and you can put all this info towards your 327 and stay well below your budget ! With a stock 64 Belair you may want to keep the 300 HP heads ! With a good machine shop and a little elbow grease those heads can flow pretty well! and the old ram horn manifolds flow very well it would surprise a lot of people You could build a real high rpm , good torque single carbed sleeper Good luck on whatever you decide

Jester

[327NUT]

I will take exception to the small journal 327's "aren't known for strength". Yes they have smaller rod bolts that can be changed out to ARP's....forged rods....forged crank. I've taken numerous SJ 327's (331") and mag'd, polished, shot peened, ARP bolts on the rods. Mag'd, 10-10, polish the crank ....AND balanced the reciprocating assembly. With the proper combination of parts and careful assembly you can twist the chit out of these engines. I have and never thrown a rod or broke a crank.

Now I will agree that if you have "6-8,000 smackers" don't spend it on a 327, no matter what anyone says there's nothing unique about this engine. Either build a BIG big block or one of the new LS crate engines from GM or other suppliers. Just remember, the more power you make the more money you'll have to spend on trans, rear end and suspension, That can add up fast for good stuff.

[barry425]

I had a 12.5:1 327 in my V-8 Vega for 20 years, 300,000 miles, and it still passed smog when I took it out and put in the early 4 bolt main LT-1. What a difference! If you have a heavy car (like the Belair), you will be happier with more cubes. Nothing makes torque like a big block. Check the junkyards for a 66 model 396 Chevelle and build that instead of the Belair. It will be cheaper, faster, and worth more when you are done.
If you are determined to stay with the 327, write me and I'll share some tricks given to me by Doug Roe (head design/intake manifold research engineer for GM for 17 years).
barry425@yahoo.com

[327NUT]

Barry, I used to live right across the canyon from you in Chino Hills and yes...TORQUE moves the car. I've gone from the 327 to a 507" Cadillac.

[barry425]

That's how hotrodding got started, by dropping a Cadillac engine into a light frame. Check out the movie, "Hot Rods From Hell" and you can see some of these relics.
I'm not sure how much speed equipment is available for the Caddy, but you are starting with enough displacement so that you probably won't need much.
If not in Chino, where are you now? I have an underground service pit if you should need to get under your car.
Barry

[327NUT]

I was in Chino Hills, just west of the golf course on Carbon Canyon Hwy. Retired and now I'm in So. Utah.....don't think I'll be using your pit, I have an above ground service area but thanks anyway. Yea there's plenty of stuff for the big Cadillacs, check out www.500cid.com. Mine will have plenty of suds for crooozin the hwy.

[1971BB427]

Originally Posted by DoubleVision

If you've got that kind of money to spend and want that kind of power the 327 has to go. You could get a big block chevy with that kind of money.
The early 327's were small journal crank, rods, and aren't known for strength. If you plan to stay small block go with more cubes. such as a 383 or 400. However by the way you talk you really want something that'll hump so it goes right back to my first suggestion, get a big block. The Chevy 502 crate engine should suit you fine.

What?????? Early small journal 327's are considered the most desireable of all the 327 engines! The small journal has less friction on bearing surface and is a few hundred rpm's higher revving than late 60's large journal 327's, and not weaker. Small journal 327's were the dominant SBC used in drag racing through most of the 60's and 70's until the 350 became so common, and stroker 377 and 383 engines became popular.
There were some old drag racers pushing nearly 800 hp out of blown small journal 327's, and they held up great. They often shifted these engines at over 7,000 rpm's in racing. I think they're a proven engine for strength.

[barry425]

I had a small journal 327 in my V-8 Vega for 20 years. With an early Sig Erson HiFlowI cam, I used to shift at 8,000 rpm all the time. Even at that rpm, it showed no signs of power falling off. Of course it was ported and had a few other tricks that I won't share, but it lasted for 300,000 miles and still passed smog when I took it out in favor of the 350 LT-1 that I built.
Check my profile for a photo of the 350.