I'm getting that old hot rod itch. This (http://www.rebuilt-auto-engines.com/cgi-bin/webc.cgi/st_prod.html?p_prodid=230&p_catid=&sid=1AlF2z0-9HgC0e6-56104263565.45) is looking really good to me. Just wish I had the funds for it right now.

Get a 350.

Ditto

Get a 350. Why the hell would I want a 350 ??? A 327 will rev higher and faster then a 350 anyday, and with the right mods, the 327 will produce the power I want. Granted, the 327 may not have as much torque as a 350, but with as lite as the El Camino is in the rear, I don't need the torque, the 327 will light them up nicely. Also, 350's are comman, everybody and thier brother has one. I like to be different, and 327's are rare !!!!!! If I want more torque, I'd build a 383 Stroker.

the 327 and 350 are the same block just different strokes. so if you have a 350 just find a crank with the same stroke as the 327.

A 283 is rarer and will rev higher. Look you can put a VW flat four in your El Camino if you want, the fact that you posted your intentions on this forum assumes that you want others to comment on your choice; my comment is what in the world makes you think that a 327 is superior in any way to a 350. First of all you're assertion that the 327 will rev higher is bunk. That 327 has two bolt mains, a four bolt 350 will safely out rev that 327 any day of the year. You debunk torque as if it isn't important--well my man torque is what spins those tires, and pushes you back in the seat when you accelerate, torque is the Holy Grail. Ever since the first hodrodder decided he needed more power increasing the size of the engine was the best way to make that power. Why you would give up 23 cubic inches for no reason is beyond my comprehension.
Anyway it's just my opinion.

I think i remember reading somewhere once that the weight over the rear wheels was very close to weight of the other g-body cars, but i'm not sure if that is correct.

I'm guessing mine should be close to that since a PO put in a spray in bedliner which should add a few lbs over the back end.

If you don't want to be like everyone else (the 350) why not a 400 block with a283 crank bored out to 4.155 with a 3.00 stroke. 327 inches the unique way.That would rev to the moon and have a lot less torque :P As the gov. says your results may vary.
George

hmmm..... you want to be different... id go with the ram jet 502. thats different!!! and so so so nice...

A 283 is rarer and will rev higher. Look you can put a VW flat four in your El Camino if you want, the fact that you posted your intentions on this forum assumes that you want others to comment on your choice; my comment is what in the world makes you think that a 327 is superior in any way to a 350. First of all you're assertion that the 327 will rev higher is bunk. That 327 has two bolt mains, a four bolt 350 will safely out rev that 327 any day of the year. You debunk torque as if it isn't important--well my man torque is what spins those tires, and pushes you back in the seat when you accelerate, torque is the Holy Grail. Ever since the first hodrodder decided he needed more power increasing the size of the engine was the best way to make that power. Why you would give up 23 cubic inches for no reason is beyond my comprehension.
Anyway it's just my opinion. My 78 currently has a 100% factory stock 305 with a 2bbl, and it has pleanty to spin the wheels. Going to a built 327 isn't giving up any C.I. in my case. The torque difference isn't much between a 327 and a 350. I do know what torque is all about, I also own a 4 wheel drive truck built for off roading, and torque is what it's all about. As far as the 2 bolt mains go, Milidon makes a splayed 4 bolt main caps I plan on useing (Much stronger then a stock 4 bolt main) http://www.jegs.com/photos/69711050.gif I'm not talking a stock 327, I'm talking about a built engine. Keep in mind that with the shorter stroke, that the 327 will rev higher and faster then a 350. Like I said, I like to be different, 350's are comman. My goal is a nice streetable car. I'm not after the fastest thing on the road. My thinking is a 700r4 transmission, and a posi rear axle with 3.73 gears. I have been building classic hot rods for meny years. My last hot rod was a 73 Camaro with a 383 Stroker that would pull the front tires off the ground. Befor that was a 1970 Monte Carlo with a 427, 4-speed, and 4.56 posi.

How about one of those limited edition ZL1!!!! Man pricey 8O

How about one of those limited edition ZL1!!!! Man pricey 8O That would be really nice, but way out of my price range. A friend outside of Omaha, Ne. has a all original 1969 ZL1 Z28 Camaro sitting in his barn. I've driven it a couple of times. All I can say is WOW !!!!

Hey Z3pr I think you want that 327 and I wish you luck.
For everyone else out there consider this:
If you have a 305 and you're considering an engine swap because you want more power; a 327 is bigger but a 350 is even bigger for the same or less $$$$. Light weight cars (less than 3000lbs) with manual transmissions are fun with high revving engines. Heavy cars (more than 3000lbs) with auto trans are much more fun to drive with lower revving engines and lots of torque.
Modifying a 327 to a four bolt main is expensive, a four bolt main 350 is a better choice.
You don't need and don't want a street engine that only makes power above 5500rpm.
A properly built 350 is cheaper, more efficient and will kick the butt of more expensive and less efficient 327.

my buddy has a 68 chevelle that had a built 350 that he took out, and he replaced it with a built 327 that he payed $4,000 to have done,and now after he spent all that money, the old 350 he took out was alot faster than the new 327 he installed. after seeing how much $ he spent on building a slower 327. id much rather build a 350 for more horse power, and its also nice to have the extra torque of the 350 to get our heavy cars moving.

Hey Z3pr I think you want that 327 and I wish you luck.
For everyone else out there consider this:
If you have a 305 and you're considering an engine swap because you want more power; a 327 is bigger but a 350 is even bigger for the same or less $$$$. Light weight cars (less than 3000lbs) with manual transmissions are fun with high revving engines. Heavy cars (more than 3000lbs) with auto trans are much more fun to drive with lower revving engines and lots of torque.
Modifying a 327 to a four bolt main is expensive, a four bolt main 350 is a better choice.
You don't need and don't want a street engine that only makes power above 5500rpm.
A properly built 350 is cheaper, more efficient and will kick the butt of more expensive and less efficient 327. I'm not building a race car, just a street car. I'll be very happy to just cruse the back hi ways. With 55 to 75 mph speed limits depending on what roads I'm on, I think a 327 / 700r4 / 3.73's will be a nice combo. Getting 300 HP out of a 327 won't be hard either. Yeah, I do want a 327 just because I've never had one, built quite a few for customers, but never have owned one myself yet. I may just buy the crate motor I posted the link for. They'll install the cam of my choice and the Milidon splayed mains, ballance the engine, and still give me the 7 year/ 70,000 mile warrenty, all for under $2,000.00 . Thats a deal thats hard to beat.

I aint trying to get anyone really really mad with this post....but for really unique power why not a cadillac engine. Cores are cheap-$150-200 for a complete engine. A stock 500 had 500lbft of torque and idled great. I' putting together a 540 cid caddy for for my '70 that should put out around 600hp and 600lbft of torque. And if I can find a ID sticker from a 300 buick I'll glue that to the radiator.
George

I aint trying to get anyone really really mad with this post....but for really unique power why not a cadillac engine. Cores are cheap-$150-200 for a complete engine. A stock 500 had 500lbft of torque and idled great. I' putting together a 540 cid caddy for for my '70 that should put out around 600hp and 600lbft of torque. And if I can find a ID sticker from a 300 buick I'll glue that to the radiator.
George Caddy engines are torque monsters. I've thought about dropping one in my 76 K5 Blazer, but just haven't done so yet.

Yeah a Caddy 500ci is nice but performance parts are expensive and hard to get. A high performance Chevy rat is easier and ultimately more powerful. I'd put in a big Caddy engine in an open engine compartment hotrod just for the "what's that?" factor.

I will be picking up a 327 shortly, (the main reason is FREE)
But lately, with the price of fuel, I have thought of dropping in a diesel engine and running a tank of cooking grease.
(a guy in UW-Madison has two VW's set up to run cooking grease)
cost him all of 40 dollars to convert and ready to run.
He went to Boston and back to Madison on 4.00 of Diesel.
Yes, I said Four!!!

Does anybody have a diesel engine Elk?

During WWII many cars were converted to run on natural gas. Get a big bag, put it in the bed, replace the carb with a valve and there you go. You could also use methane from pig manure---bet you wouldn't have any tailgaters!

During WWII many cars were converted to run on natural gas. Get a big bag, put it in the bed, replace the carb with a valve and there you go. You could also use methane from pig manure---bet you wouldn't have any tailgaters! LOL. Lots of cab companys have the taxi's running on propane. I've seen the conversion befor, but I think I'll just suffer paying at the pumps.

I stuck a 327 into an '84 Camaro this past fall, it works pretty well.

The 327 is a great engine with an excellent bore-stroke ratio. However, I think you'll be happier with a 350 for the following reasons:

1) longer stroke = more torque. more torque = more quarter-size plugs out of the passenger seat = more grin factor for driver 8)

2) 327 heads do NOT have the accessory holes for everything. If you wish to keep your accessories and belt drive the way they were, you will need to do a LOT of fabricating/jerry rigging/retrofitting. A possible solution is switching to a 350 head. Keep in mind you'll want the smaller combustion chamber heads to retain good compression. Vortecs are a good choice for this, but you'll need a special intake and intake bolts. Edelbrock makes a good intake for these heads (Performer and RPM), and the bolts can be found at a GM dealer, and I think that performance vendors (i.e. Summit, Jeg's, Bob's Local Speed Shop, etc) are starting to carry them.

I stuck a 327 into an '84 Camaro this past fall, it works pretty well.

The 327 is a great engine with an excellent bore-stroke ratio. However, I think you'll be happier with a 350 for the following reasons:

1) longer stroke = more torque. more torque = more quarter-size plugs out of the passenger seat = more grin factor for driver 8)

2) 327 heads do NOT have the accessory holes for everything. If you wish to keep your accessories and belt drive the way they were, you will need to do a LOT of fabricating/jerry rigging/retrofitting. A possible solution is switching to a 350 head. Keep in mind you'll want the smaller combustion chamber heads to retain good compression. Vortecs are a good choice for this, but you'll need a special intake and intake bolts. Edelbrock makes a good intake for these heads (Performer and RPM), and the bolts can be found at a GM dealer, and I think that performance vendors (i.e. Summit, Jeg's, Bob's Local Speed Shop, etc) are starting to carry them. Dart 2 Sportsman heads 64cc :D