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the difference in a 327 and a 350?

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5.1K views 14 replies 10 participants last post by  J.D  
#1 ·
Im new at this whole thing and i just got a 85 chevy short bed truck and if i put a 327 in the truck will it be faster then the 350 and what is the difference between the two?
 
#4 ·
The 327 and 350 share the same 4" bore size, the the 327 has a 3.25" stroke crank and the 350 is 3.48". The 62-67 327 is a small journal crank, 68 -69 they went to the large journal crank. Theoretically the 327 should get better mileage since its a smaller cube engine but that all depends on how the engine is equipped and how heavy your right foot is.
Look at www.mortec.com and you will see that some casting numbers like the 010 blocks were used to build some large journal 302, 327 and 350 engines. And again theoretically. if you have 2 exactly equipped engines, one a 327 and one a 350 then the 350 should put out more torque and hp due to it having more cubic inches. Do some reading before building either engine, might save you some grief later.
 
#6 ·
mhall, 327nut explained it pretty well. There really isn't a tremendous difference between the two engines. Think of the 350 as the natural progression in engine size from the 327. All I have to suggest is that if you have a truck then you'd probably be better off with the 350.
 
#8 ·
Blazin72 said:
mhall, 327nut explained it pretty well. There really isn't a tremendous difference between the two engines. Think of the 350 as the natural progression in engine size from the 327. All I have to suggest is that if you have a truck then you'd probably be better off with the 350.
x2... 350 is a long stroke 327. 302s are short stroke screamers, as are the 327s. 350s are good all around. Use the same intakes, cams, etc... just the same cam in a 350 is 'bigger' on the 327 and the 302. I think. Am I right?
 
#10 ·
hyarbour said:
If two vehicles were equiped with identical gearing and tires, the one with the 327 would win. It can reach a higher RPM due to the shorter stroke.
If both vehicles, including engines, were built the same. The one with the 350 should come out on top. The 350 will make more power and more torque, therefore accelerate the vehicle faster. Just as a 383 would be more powerful, and therefore faster than a 350. As I said before, since you're dealing with a pickup then the extra cubic inches will only help. You could even consider stroking that 327 (if it's a large journal block) or that 350 to a 383. Cubes can be an engine builders best friend.
 
#12 ·
Blazin72 said:
If both vehicles, including engines, were built the same. The one with the 350 should come out on top. The 350 will make more power and more torque,
Absolutely. The only substitute for cubic inches is rectangular dollars.

Blazin72 said:
You could even consider stroking that 327 (if it's a large journal block) or that 350 to a 383. Cubes can be an engine builders best friend.
Additionally, the longer stroke translates to more torque for a given MEP. This is particularly important for a street engine where you spend most of your time in the lower rpm range, not in the trees.
 
#13 ·
IF you modified a 327 and 350 exaxtly the same, they will both perform almost identically the same. The 350 will develop better torque sooner giving it a decided pull ahead advantage. since hp is torque times rpm divided by 5252, you get higher HP at a lower rpm. The 327 theoritically can out rev a 350, but torque makes LOWER ET's.

I have turned a properly set up 350 to 8500 several times.

much of the "old wives tales" that say the 327 was a better engine comes from the fuelie vette motors. The highest rated 327 was 365 hp. That motor was around for a few years of production. Folks remembered that more so than the 370 hp 350 1 year LT-1 vette motor. the LT-1 motor was also not rated to turn as high of an rpm to make the 370 hp.

Remember, both motors were originally and primarilary low hp passenger car motors.
 
#15 ·
ChevelleSS_LS6 said:
x2... 350 is a long stroke 327. 302s are short stroke screamers, as are the 327s. 350s are good all around. Use the same intakes, cams, etc... just the same cam in a 350 is 'bigger' on the 327 and the 302. I think. Am I right?
O.K heres a question,What is a nice combo (BUdget) for a street 327,1968 camaro RS ,2 speed PG, Not sure of the gear. 125 shot NOS. I have a 465/488 lift cam I could use (hyd). I have some 350 alum. 202 heads also.What else would Be a great motor for this car.