360 SBC Build?

[mt-engines]

OK

But how much better is a 360 with a SFT 260 @ .050 and a well ported Vortec head @ 10.5 comp, over a 446 HP 327 that peaks @ 6600 RPM 400TQ?

mid 500 hp id say about 100hp more

[vortecpro]

If I do a 406 which is a great idea, I will go aftermarket aluminum on the heads, the only reason I considered the 360 is because its built and I have it, I know no matter what I will not be happy with the performance of the 360, but I have all the parts to do the 360. I know I will spend 5000.00 grand doing a 406, but I will have 600 HP and the TQ I desperately need. I probably should finish the Vortec headed 360 and see what it makes for power.

[F-BIRD'88]

With your very limited info,,,, I estimate you need 65 more real horsepower.. The 360 cam get there but the 406 (especially with its huge torque advantage) gets there much better @ 4100#. A single plane is going to be better if you want to rev it up up.. Intakes are cheap.. correct cams are cheap. 12.0 @111 is not that hard at 4100# . Is this a truck? details matter.

[F-BIRD'88]

I have a simple Vortec head 406 sbc it did not cost me $5k.

[F-BIRD'88]

You can make 500+ hp (sea level) on a 360 (10.5:1 cr) with nicely ported 2.02 vortecs but not with just any 260 cam. It will need a vortec single plane intake.
Cams are cheap so are intakes.

This is a walk in the park for a 406. Especially for a guy like you that does his own work.

Does this 327 need to run up in the clouds?
5000-6000ft...


Is this a pickup truck? (4100#)

[vortecpro]

Yes....high altitude
Yes a truck thats a big power bandit

The valve reliefs will not accommodate more than a 1.940 valve.

[F-BIRD'88]

It is easy for a guy like you to deepen and increase the radial clearance on the valve reliefs if needed . you can do it by hand.. Why not just supercharge the 327 ..? it will get there easily. This is the best way to get big real power at high elevation. Can cost LESS THAN BUILDING A NEW MOTOR.
bolt a Weiand 177 blower on the 327.. dial up/down the boost (Real power) as required. (especially at high elevation)

Another great choice to street supercharge the 327 is the Edelbrock/Eaton "EForce 122HH" blower kit.
Either are 550 hp++ capable on such a 327.
(You need not step on it that hard at all to get from 12.8 to 12.00 ets with the 327)


Discribe the 327 as it is now.
Is the 12.8@ 105 current truck performance at the high altitude or tested at a lower altitude track?
I'm seeing 367 rwhp net. not 446 hp.
based on 105 mph and 4100#.

[vortecpro]

Yes, but the short block is built, and uses a pressed pin, I could fix all that but it would be time better spent building a 406, I've got compromises here and I don't like it.

331 small factory style dome, 5/64 ring, 240/480/108 single pattern SFT 461 fuelie heads, Performer RPM intake< 750 Holley 446 HP/400 TQ at one RPM point.

Runs were made in 4200 feet DA into a cross wind, my shop sits @ 6388 feet, observed uncorrected HP was 329, corrected was 446 HP. You have to keep in mind a truck like mine is always down 3 MPH from a car, then theres the brakes, and two piece drive shaft, its a up hill battle


I get 365 crankshaft HP observed

[F-BIRD'88]

You are so right about trucks and the 3 mph.. Like moving a brick thru the air.. At least the air @6300 ft is thinner.
And you can fix that very well with supercharging.
Adding 20% real net additional hp to the 327 is easy with a blower.
If you will be using this truck (most of the time) at your local 6300 ft elevation supercharging is the way to go on that street/shop truck.
329 + 20% =395 uncorrected dyno hp.

446 +20% =535 corrected dyno hp.
Either way you cut it.. Supercharging is the way to go at such high elevation IMHO.. You will wish you did this 20 years ago.

Remember you can dial up/down the trucks power as wanted needed....

[F-BIRD'88]

This is a 67-72 C10 with a Weiand 177.
The Edelbrock mp122hh blower fits under hood on gm pickups... Cannot beat the Street visuals and cannot beat the street performance especially in a truck @6300 ft.

[rustbucket79]

My first performance build was a 327, and with 4.88 gears it’s best pass was a 12.7 in my Camaro. I then built a 406 with slightly less compression and with 3.42 gears, everything else the same as the 327, the first time out it ran a 12 teen and that first year ran deep into the 11’s.

I wonder if I had any regrets not building a 350 or 383.

[rustbucket79]

Sell the cool 327 and the 360 short, eliminates the decision process.

[1980RS]

Mark, I know you could make the camel hump heads work but it worth the time do them over when you would make power with some Vortec heads or aftermarkets.

[vortecpro]

Mark, I know you could make the camel hump heads work but it worth the time do them over when you would make power with some Vortec heads or aftermarkets.

If I do the 360 it will have Vortec heads, the strong 300 400 500 number will work perfect with the solid lifter cam, I will have 260 CFM @ .550 lift with the 1.940 valve, question will it make the power? If I go 400 it will have aftermarket heads.

[vortecpro]

Sell the cool 327 and the 360 short, eliminates the decision process.

Good advice......