69' 327 Build Advice Needed

[supkylesup]

Hey guys as some of you may know i recently acquired an 85' brougham with a 1969 327 under the hood.
Well I've decided since my 84' supreme in such immaculate shape im going to make my 84' my show car.
Since the 85' is in slightly rough but fixable shape ill make it the go car.
So im looking for advice on how to build the 327 in the 85'.
Currently the engine is still in the car ive only had it for 3 days.
The engine will be yanked soon and the build will begin.

Here is the info on the engine that i have so far:
The engine is a 1969 Chevy 327 backed by a powerglide.
The heads are 625cc with 1.72 intake and 1.50 exhaust.
It has Edelbrock Performer intake manifold and Edelbrock 4bbl carb with manual choke (not sure of series or CFM)

Now here is what im looking to get out of it:
Id like to make it a great running long lasting engine.
Im not looking for a race car but id like to be able to lay down some power when i want to.
Im not the most wealthy person in the world but i get by on my budget.
This is my first engine build so i don't have all the knowledge in the world but ill have you guys, my dad, my brother, and my dads friend to help me out on things i don't know.

Here is where id like to start:
First things first im going to pull the engine out put it on a stand and get to cleaning. (its pretty dirty)
id like to pull the heads get them all cleaned up and check for anything that could become problematic in the future. (guides, seats, rocker studs, cracks, ect.)
If the heads or block need the be bored, honed, or any of that id consider it if need be.
id like to get some new roller rockers, springs, rods, and valves.

Here is where you guys could help:
What performance mods would you guys recomend?
Should i change cam? If so what cam would you recommend?
Should i just buy new heads? It isnt really in my budget but if you guys highly recommend it let me know.
Let me know what you guys think i should do?

 

[G-Body_Vet]

I had a 327 in a '79 Malibu back in the day so this is my opinion.

It didn't have the most torque in the world with a 3.25 stroke, but it would wind up fairly fast. If you want to take advantage of the this find a 3.73 rear end. It will be a dog with a high geared rear end like a 2.56. Mine had crap 882 heads with 76cc chambers, stock rearend, but the PO installed a cam with .454 lift IIRC. It was a turd off the line, but it would still bark the tires going into 2nd if I got on it. I couldn't have had more than 8.5 to 1 CR with those heads either. The cam probably didn't make much of a difference.

If you get a good rear end, ditch the powerglide and get an OD trans. If nothing else at least get a TH350. That 2 speed powerglide will get old really quick.

Ditch the heads, get some cheap vortecs. Only downside is that you'd have to buy a an intake to go with the heads. They're about the best bang for the buck out there for a sbc though.

The cam depends on what you want to get out the engine. I like Comp Cams Xtreme energy cams, but you might be able to save some $$$$ by seeing what Summit, Jegs or whoever offers in a dual pattern cam.

 

[Blake442]

Isn't the one you wrecked a V6 car?
Honestly, just harvest that car you bought for parts, and put it towards fixing your other car.

Having two project cars is a huge drain on time and money, and you'll end up with two un-finished cars, when you could've had one car that was really top notch...
Trust me, I'm the poster child for having too many un-finished projects... :lol:

 

[supkylesup]

Well yes i did recently wreck my 84.
So to fix it im taking the front clip and fenders off the 85, painting them, and putting them on my 84.
But i can't see scrapping the 85 just because i needed a front clip and fenders.
So as far as scrapping the 85' its not going to happen im keeping one more cutlass on this earth.
Im keeping the 84' stock and leaving it as the show car
and ill be fixing up the 85' to make it a go car

 

[Blake442]

I don't know why anybody would want to keep a V6 car stock, but to each their own I guess... :?

I still say harvest the front clip and engine/trans, and just sell the rest off as a roller, and let somebody else deal with it...

 

[supkylesup]

Well because i still drive the 84' as much as i can.
I just love driving it i love being behind the wheel of my cutlass.
Yea id love to have more power at the tip of my toes when im driving it.
But thats what the 85 will be for.
So i can drive the 84 around while i fix up the 85.
Then once the 85 is done i can park the 84 and fix it up.
To me its a win win situation.

 

[Justink]

you ever checked into building a 302 outta that motor? From what I've heard the 302 is one helluva motor, sadly I don't know much about it.

 

[G-Body_Vet]

you ever checked into building a 302 outta that motor? From what I've heard the 302 is one helluva motor, sadly I don't know much about it.

Last time I checked the pistons were either ultra expensive or had to be custom.....we're talking some years though. The popular 302's you speak of had higher compression and a cross ram set-up too. They were rated at 290hp but produced closer to 400hp in actuality. i think you'd have an easier time finding a small journal crank from a 283 with a 3" stroke than trying to locate a large journal one for the '68 and later blocks. IIRC, they didn't make any other large journal cranks with a 3" stroke other than a 302. And good luck finding one from a DZ engine.

 

[84sscutty]

Ditch the crappy heads and find some vortecs. You will have to have a lil machine work done to the heads so you can get a cam with more lift than .450. After that, contact Lunati to see what cam they recommend. You will need an intake dedicated to the vortec heads, but it will be worth it in the end. Vortec head chambers are designed after lt-1 style heads, they help the little mouse motor build torque vs. your old style head.
The Vet is right, The crank for a 302 would be hell to acquire and expensive. The pistons are also very expensive. About $60-$65 a piece. A DZ 302 is one helluva beast though. It's my all time favorite stock sbc.

 

[RockSS]

Really this is just a suggestion but if you would like power and reliability at an inexpencive price just call summit and order up a top end kit like performer RPM get heads, cam n lifters, intake, carb for like $1700 you still have to do the bottom end but nobody said you have to go forged rotating assy. whats also nice is the heads are 64 cc chambers and 2.02 1.60 valves and the 327 would love it ... 8) Well thats just my opinion prolly the way I'm goin with my 400 ..