Ok Im on the fence again i have a choice of droping in the 427 in my pics but its going to add weight to the nose the fuel is going to be getting used at an alarming rate with the motor being fed by a wash tub for a carb. The other option is to drop in 5.3 for better fuel milage. with a cam swap I can get somewhere near 400 hp. without the need to get new springs. What do you guys think. choice 1 cammed carbed 5.3 th350. choice 2 big block 427 th400. bot will be spinning 12 bolt with 3.73 gear

http://www.carcraft.com/techarticles...o_results.html

 

I think it takes more than a cam to get 400 hp to the wheels, but that being said I see no reason to use 50 year old motors in cars. There is no shortage of 5.3s so they are dirt cheap.

 

Yeah thats true the 427 is a pro built gm block not a junkyard heap in fact the 5.3 only has the advantge by being newer tech, lighter, and easier on the pocket at the pump. The 400 hp will be at the flywheel but its a street car.

 

When you picture yourself driving your finished project, what do you see? If it a big torque tire burner, or a smooth, fuel efficient hassle free cruiser? I say just stay focused on what you want the car to be and the answer will be obvious.

 

Thats a great bit of advise the 427 has been hassle free its had no issues at all in my brothers car the issue is the price of the 5.3 conversion which is only offset by the fuel savings.

 

There want be much fuel savings if you don't run a od trans,even less sense you are going to carb it. I vote 427 torque monster in this case.

 

+1 on the Overdrive transmission. If you decide on the 5.3, I suggest you go for a complete pull out set up that includes a 4L60E or 4L65E. Especially with 3.73 gears. If your plans are to put many miles on the car, OD is the way to go. Personally I am sold on EFI, but that's your choice.

Pat

 

+1 and use EFI not a carb

 

going efi onthe 427 cross ram from kinsler the hp and torque pay offs are better with the price and install being easier on the pocket ant the hours invested in the build..so the efi fans thanks

 

now thats cool!!

 

What kind of mileage did the 427 get in the other car?

The difference between 10-12 MPG and 25+ MPG is usually the difference between driving to some distant event and taking another car. You will get a lot more use out of the car if you don't have to worry about the price of gas hitting $5 a gallon. Something to think about if you are building this car to do a lot of driving.

+10 on the OD trans. A properly set up carb will return similar mileage as the EFI, so I wouldn't let that sway the decision one way or the other. do whatever is easiest/cheapest.

 

Damn, thats sweet.
Now all you need is a Gear Vendors kit to get you the extra gears you need.

 

go new school. Old motors are just that - old. I dont think theres anything an old motor can do that a properly setup new one cant do and do better.