Best All Around Motor? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

FLDBRED · 01-08-2010, 05:39 PM

When every thing is considered,PRICE,ease of installation,fuel economy,power,etc. Does it always come back to the SB350?I know the LS motors are great,but they cost a lot more,and the average guy still might find it hard to do the swap!Maybe the SB400?What do you think?

au03z71 · 01-08-2010, 05:49 PM

Yes, late model roller block, vortec heads, streetable cam. Very serviceable and can be built to your preference pretty affordably.

FLDBRED · 01-08-2010, 06:08 PM

That's what I was thinking.I wonder how much more a 383 is,everything else being equal?

C20-67_N_MO · 01-08-2010, 06:36 PM

Depends if you want Performance over Economy really.

And what you expect out of your engine.

If you want performance then yes the price will go up accordingly.

A good crate engine in the 260-290hp range would be a good choice for MPG use.

Just depends what you want out of your powerplant.

Good luck.

mike16 · 01-08-2010, 09:41 PM

i like the 307. it does every thing the 350 does but cost.

Beuford · 01-08-2010, 10:07 PM

I like the 400 small block. It uses no more space and weighs no more but makes a lot more torque. They are compareable cost to rebuild and most all the brackets are interchangeable,

big_al_71 · 01-09-2010, 12:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beuford

I like the 400 small block. It uses no more space and weighs no more but makes a lot more torque. They are compareable cost to rebuild and most all the brackets are interchangeable,

I agree 100%,,,I went with a small block 400....

CCCC · 01-09-2010, 02:45 AM

There are a lot of 350s around here, one 400 SB and two 402 BBs - and they all run well. But, by far the best running are a 327 that came in a 69 C20 and a 327 that came in a 67 Corvette.

**RPOZ11** · 01-09-2010, 03:07 AM

383 or 396 stroked.

Get the cubic inches and the added cooling without sacrificing cracking a block.

I am sure there are more to add to this!!!

**bigsnookmaster** · 01-09-2010, 11:46 AM

"Small Block 400" My .02

SCOTI · 01-09-2010, 12:18 PM

The best is subjective. What's best for one guy may not be as high of a priority for another.

Most common & user friendly? The 350. Millions of them went for over 100K miles w/less than optimum fuel systems (a big benefit in the longevity of late model FI motors). Take a 350 & update it to the later standards w/a hyd roller cam; high-velocity good flowing heads, & add a larger crank to give more torque (make it a 383).

Simple. Solid. Reliable for the life of the truck.

capev86 · 01-09-2010, 02:49 PM

the best all around motor has to be a 350 if you just need a drop in replacement. a 305 will do good in a pinch with a q-jet and an rv grind cam in it because it has the same crank. a 383 is actually the best bang for the buck if you have a budget for a rebuild. you get soo much more torque than with a 350 with the same setup. you have all the practicality, fuel savings and commonality of a small block and it is is less prone to overheating than a 400 (i have a later year, cross drilled 406 for my 72 burb)

lsx72 · 01-09-2010, 04:52 PM

hands down ls based engine. run like a scalded dog, and great gas mileage. its not that much more. it would pay for its self in no time...

SCOTI · 01-09-2010, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lsx72

hands down ls based engine. run like a scalded dog, and great gas mileage. its not that much more. it would pay for its self in no time...

When you state "it's not that much more", what are you comparing it to?

Quote:

Originally Posted by FLDBRED

....When every thing is considered,PRICE,ease of installation,fuel economy,power,etc....

While the LS motors are great, there's more to swapping one in than just swapping. The above quote specified the costs, ease of installation, economy, & power. To take advantage of the efficiency of an LS requires adding the electronics & fuel system to support the FI. It's not a simple weekend type swap using your local auto parts store for misc items. Of course, you could always carb it; but it's not going to pay for itself in efficiency w/that set-up.

dccarpenter · 01-09-2010, 06:37 PM

I have a 350 and like it but curious as to why the 327 was endorsed by one poster as the best? Any advantages it has over the small block 350? Mileage? Power? Longevity?

Not a F*rd fan usually but their inline 6 300 was a fantastic motor, do the GM inline sixes compare?

**special-K** · 01-09-2010, 09:20 PM

283 or 307.As with all motors,the closer to the original design the better durability.These motors give enough power,last longer,and drink less gas.That`s best.If you mean best power get a monster motor and forget everything else.A 350 is 85 cubic inches bigger than the original design.I`ve defended the 400 and love them.Better hope one has another rebuild left in it.They are already bored.383?Cool motor.No matter what,you`ll add the cost of a new rotating assembly to the cost,though.A longer stoke motor works more per mile,don`t forget.Not a recipe for longetivity.

1971ls1longbed · 01-09-2010, 10:04 PM

as far as the ls engines go ive put several together and its stupid easy to make gobs of power even with a carb. i pieced on together from ls1tech for about 2500 and it made almost 450 to the wheels. u just have to know what to look for.

68c10burb · 01-09-2010, 10:23 PM

Ls swaps are getting pretty cheap. I see them on cl with trans and harness for $600 on ocassion.

Favorite I've had so far was a 400 small block. I had one in a caprice wagon- with a qjet and 700r4 I could get 20mpg. Took a trip from IL to NH and got 22 mpg, until I got in the mountains.

I had a caprice/impala SS clone with an LT1 that I couldn't ever get better than 18mpg.

CCCC · 01-09-2010, 10:30 PM

Reply to dccarpenter. Right - the 350s, 400s, BB402s here are good - love 'em all even with their differing characterisitcs. I'm responding to the aspects of the original question in this thread.

Yes, the 327 is more to the original block design if that matters (and it probably does.). It is a better balanced engine than the later derivations, seems to idle better and seems easier to fine tune, gives better fuel mileage (especially if you can live with a smaller cfm carb), and best for me - seems to get its power on at the right revs for a 3/4 ton truck. 2nd gear on a granny plus three speed trans with my rear is a dream gear and then it seems to be "just right" in 4th at 65 mph. This is what I meant by "best running".

Now, if you want me to talk about why, after 39 years of driving it I like the 327 with big Holley and 365 hp in the 67 Sting Ray - well -----.
CCCC

D-Rat · 01-10-2010, 01:14 PM

pretty happy with my 400.

FLDBRED · 01-10-2010, 05:44 PM

I know the LS motors are better,but it's not an easy swap for the average guy!I like the 400,but most have been rebuilt once already,and they don't like much over .30.So a one piece main seal,vortec headed,roller motor might be the way to go.

It is now a 307 with the stock 2 barrel carb.Have any of you guys put the Vortec heads on this motor?

Irishpilot · 01-10-2010, 07:54 PM

I agree with the 400. A stock rebuild is just a little more than a 350. If you want to stroke it to a 406, it's higher priced, but with Vortec heads, it really is a performance engine.

superchevy · 01-10-2010, 08:06 PM

454 big block.
Best all round for me anyway...

Gas mileage? What's that?

TwoFiftyShifter · 01-10-2010, 08:57 PM

Small Block Chevy.

C20-67_N_MO · 01-10-2010, 10:52 PM

400 Chevy punch out .30 over to 406

Bigger is better!!

Right?

01-08-2010, 05:39 PM	#1
FLDBRED Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: CENTRAL,NJ Posts: 586	Best All Around Motor? When every thing is considered,PRICE,ease of installation,fuel economy,power,etc. Does it always come back to the SB350?I know the LS motors are great,but they cost a lot more,and the average guy still might find it hard to do the swap!Maybe the SB400?What do you think?

01-08-2010, 05:49 PM	#2
au03z71 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: alabama Posts: 647	Re: Best All Around Motor? Yes, late model roller block, vortec heads, streetable cam. Very serviceable and can be built to your preference pretty affordably. Last edited by au03z71; 01-08-2010 at 05:49 PM.

01-08-2010, 06:08 PM	#3
FLDBRED Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: CENTRAL,NJ Posts: 586	Re: Best All Around Motor? That's what I was thinking.I wonder how much more a 383 is,everything else being equal?

01-08-2010, 06:36 PM	#4
C20-67_N_MO Champagne Taste on Beer Budget Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: High Ridge, Missouri Posts: 2,190	Re: Best All Around Motor? Depends if you want Performance over Economy really. And what you expect out of your engine. If you want performance then yes the price will go up accordingly. A good crate engine in the 260-290hp range would be a good choice for MPG use. Just depends what you want out of your powerplant. Good luck. __________________ Coming Soon: Project 1970 Country Truck

01-08-2010, 09:41 PM	#5
mike16 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: bisbee, arizona Posts: 1,530	Re: Best All Around Motor? i like the 307. it does every thing the 350 does but cost.

01-08-2010, 10:07 PM	#6
Beuford Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Townville,Pa Posts: 284	Re: Best All Around Motor? I like the 400 small block. It uses no more space and weighs no more but makes a lot more torque. They are compareable cost to rebuild and most all the brackets are interchangeable, Last edited by Beuford; 01-08-2010 at 10:07 PM.

01-09-2010, 02:45 AM	#8
CCCC Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: San Pedro River, SE Arizona Posts: 735	Re: Best All Around Motor? There are a lot of 350s around here, one 400 SB and two 402 BBs - and they all run well. But, by far the best running are a 327 that came in a 69 C20 and a 327 that came in a 67 Corvette. __________________ CCCC 67 Sting Ray Coupe 327 4sp; 68 K10 Suburban 327 4sp; 69 K20 Lifted 383 4sp; 69 C80 Fire Truck 478 V6 5sp/2sp; 69 C20 Longhorn 327 4sp; 70 C30 Wrecker 350 4sp; 70 C30 Flat Bed 350 4sp; 71 C20 LWB 350 4sp; 72 K5 Blazer 350 4sp; 72 C30 Flat Bed Gooseneck Hauler with sleeper 350/TH400; 72 C20 Longhorn 402 4sp; 52 Mack LTL Supercharged Cummins 5sp x 3sp; 01 Dodge 5.9 HO Cummins 6spd; 02 Safari Trek 2430 8.1 Vortec on Workhorse Chassis; 03 Silverado 2500 HD 4wd Duramax/Allison Moved but still in the family 70 C20 Custom Camper 350/TH350; 72 K5 Blazer CST Highlander 350/TH350 Recently sent to new homes 72 C30 MoHome 402 4sp; 72 K5 Blazer Conv 350 4sp; 75 GMC 6000 Aerial 350 w Allison; 72 GMC 3500 Utility 350 4sp; 70 GMC 3500, 350 4sp

01-09-2010, 03:07 AM	#9
RPOZ11 72 BB C30 Super LongHorn Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Chavez Ravine Posts: 1,606	Re: Best All Around Motor? 383 or 396 stroked. Get the cubic inches and the added cooling without sacrificing cracking a block. I am sure there are more to add to this!!! __________________ 72 BB C/30 Longhorn Super HO72 No-Spin, #'s matching, Tilt, Tach, AC, AM/FM HO72 build : http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=714492 2017 SS

01-09-2010, 11:46 AM	#10
bigsnookmaster Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: St.Petersburg,Fl Posts: 1,270	Re: Best All Around Motor? "Small Block 400" My .02 __________________ greg http://community.webshots.com/user/68406Stepside

01-09-2010, 12:18 PM	#11
SCOTI Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: DALLAS,TX Posts: 22,080	Re: Best All Around Motor? The *best* is subjective. What's best for one guy may not be as high of a priority for another. Most common & user friendly? The 350. Millions of them went for over 100K miles w/less than optimum fuel systems (a big benefit in the longevity of late model FI motors). Take a 350 & update it to the later standards w/a hyd roller cam; high-velocity good flowing heads, & add a larger crank to give more torque (make it a 383). Simple. Solid. Reliable for the life of the truck. __________________ 67SWB-B.B.RetroRod 64SWB-Recycle 89CCDually-Driver/Tow Truck 99CCSWB Driver All Fleetsides @rattlecankustoms in IG Building a small, high rpm engine with the perfect bore, stroke and rod ratio is very impressive. It's like a highly skilled Morrocan sword fighter with a Damascus Steel Scimitar..... *Cubic inches is like Indiana Jones with a cheap pistol.*

01-09-2010, 02:49 PM	#12
capev86 Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: Eliot, Maine Posts: 1,314	Re: Best All Around Motor? the best all around motor has to be a 350 if you just need a drop in replacement. a 305 will do good in a pinch with a q-jet and an rv grind cam in it because it has the same crank. a 383 is actually the best bang for the buck if you have a budget for a rebuild. you get soo much more torque than with a 350 with the same setup. you have all the practicality, fuel savings and commonality of a small block and it is is less prone to overheating than a 400 (i have a later year, cross drilled 406 for my 72 burb)

01-09-2010, 04:52 PM	#13
lsx72 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: greenville,sc Posts: 89	Re: Best All Around Motor? hands down ls based engine. run like a scalded dog, and great gas mileage. its not that much more. it would pay for its self in no time...

01-09-2010, 06:37 PM	#15
dccarpenter Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Washington, dC Posts: 176	Re: Best All Around Motor? I have a 350 and like it but curious as to why the 327 was endorsed by one poster as the best? Any advantages it has over the small block 350? Mileage? Power? Longevity? Not a F*rd fan usually but their inline 6 300 was a fantastic motor, do the GM inline sixes compare?

01-09-2010, 09:20 PM	#16
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	Re: Best All Around Motor? 283 or 307.As with all motors,the closer to the original design the better durability.These motors give enough power,last longer,and drink less gas.That`s best.If you mean best power get a monster motor and forget everything else.A 350 is 85 cubic inches bigger than the original design.I`ve defended the 400 and love them.Better hope one has another rebuild left in it.They are already bored.383?Cool motor.No matter what,you`ll add the cost of a new rotating assembly to the cost,though.A longer stoke motor works more per mile,don`t forget.Not a recipe for longetivity. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

01-09-2010, 10:04 PM	#17
1971ls1longbed Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Voorhees NJ Posts: 188	Re: Best All Around Motor? as far as the ls engines go ive put several together and its stupid easy to make gobs of power even with a carb. i pieced on together from ls1tech for about 2500 and it made almost 450 to the wheels. u just have to know what to look for.



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01-09-2010, 10:23 PM	#18
68c10burb Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: milwaukee, wi Posts: 9	Re: Best All Around Motor? Ls swaps are getting pretty cheap. I see them on cl with trans and harness for $600 on ocassion. Favorite I've had so far was a 400 small block. I had one in a caprice wagon- with a qjet and 700r4 I could get 20mpg. Took a trip from IL to NH and got 22 mpg, until I got in the mountains. I had a caprice/impala SS clone with an LT1 that I couldn't ever get better than 18mpg.

01-09-2010, 10:30 PM	#19
CCCC Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: San Pedro River, SE Arizona Posts: 735	Re: Best All Around Motor? Reply to dccarpenter. Right - the 350s, 400s, BB402s here are good - love 'em all even with their differing characterisitcs. I'm responding to the aspects of the original question in this thread. Yes, the 327 is more to the original block design if that matters (and it probably does.). It is a better balanced engine than the later derivations, seems to idle better and seems easier to fine tune, gives better fuel mileage (especially if you can live with a smaller cfm carb), and best for me - seems to get its power on at the right revs for a 3/4 ton truck. 2nd gear on a granny plus three speed trans with my rear is a dream gear and then it seems to be "just right" in 4th at 65 mph. This is what I meant by "best running". Now, if you want me to talk about why, after 39 years of driving it I like the 327 with big Holley and 365 hp in the 67 Sting Ray - well -----. CCCC __________________ CCCC 67 Sting Ray Coupe 327 4sp; 68 K10 Suburban 327 4sp; 69 K20 Lifted 383 4sp; 69 C80 Fire Truck 478 V6 5sp/2sp; 69 C20 Longhorn 327 4sp; 70 C30 Wrecker 350 4sp; 70 C30 Flat Bed 350 4sp; 71 C20 LWB 350 4sp; 72 K5 Blazer 350 4sp; 72 C30 Flat Bed Gooseneck Hauler with sleeper 350/TH400; 72 C20 Longhorn 402 4sp; 52 Mack LTL Supercharged Cummins 5sp x 3sp; 01 Dodge 5.9 HO Cummins 6spd; 02 Safari Trek 2430 8.1 Vortec on Workhorse Chassis; 03 Silverado 2500 HD 4wd Duramax/Allison Moved but still in the family 70 C20 Custom Camper 350/TH350; 72 K5 Blazer CST Highlander 350/TH350 Recently sent to new homes 72 C30 MoHome 402 4sp; 72 K5 Blazer Conv 350 4sp; 75 GMC 6000 Aerial 350 w Allison; 72 GMC 3500 Utility 350 4sp; 70 GMC 3500, 350 4sp

01-10-2010, 01:14 PM	#20
D-Rat Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 226	Re: Best All Around Motor? pretty happy with my 400. __________________ 1970 CST with a screaming 400 www.nissan4wheelers.com

01-10-2010, 05:44 PM	#21
FLDBRED Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: CENTRAL,NJ Posts: 586	Re: Best All Around Motor? I know the LS motors are better,but it's not an easy swap for the average guy!I like the 400,but most have been rebuilt once already,and they don't like much over .30.So a one piece main seal,vortec headed,roller motor might be the way to go. It is now a 307 with the stock 2 barrel carb.Have any of you guys put the Vortec heads on this motor?

01-10-2010, 07:54 PM	#22
Irishpilot Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Kunsan AB, South Korea Posts: 187	Re: Best All Around Motor? I agree with the 400. A stock rebuild is just a little more than a 350. If you want to stroke it to a 406, it's higher priced, but with Vortec heads, it really is a performance engine.

01-10-2010, 08:06 PM	#23
superchevy Got big-block? Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 2,453	Re: Best All Around Motor? 454 big block. Best all round for me anyway... Gas mileage? What's that? __________________ '68 CST SWB factory 396/T400 buddy buckets, a/c, ps, pb '72 Corvette convertible 454/4spd/ac, ps, pb '73 GMC Sierra Grande short wide 454/T400 ps, pb, ac '77 K5 Blazer black on red, 350/T350/NP205 ps, pb, ac all original '78 GMC Sierra Classic short wide 454/T400 ps, pb, ac '72 GMC Sprint SP454. 1 of 38 built. '73 GMC Sprint SP454. 1 of 71 built. '75 GMC Sprint SP454. 1 of 25 built. SOLD! '72 GMC K25 4x4 468/4L80e/NP205 build thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...23#post4324423 SOLD!'55 Chevy gasser 496/4spd build thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...96#post4324396

01-10-2010, 08:57 PM	#24
TwoFiftyShifter Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Gwinnett GA Posts: 1,803	Re: Best All Around Motor? Small Block Chevy. __________________ 1982 K10 SWB 1987 V20 - Sold - Doh!

01-10-2010, 10:52 PM	#25
C20-67_N_MO Champagne Taste on Beer Budget Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: High Ridge, Missouri Posts: 2,190	Re: Best All Around Motor? 400 Chevy punch out .30 over to 406 Bigger is better!! Right? __________________ Coming Soon: Project 1970 Country Truck

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