I want one!!!!

[streetstar]

Originally Posted by 72lb4x4

Interesting questions and ones I've wondered about...

It seems the new small block has less mass, and better head technology.

I'd like to read more opinions, please.

The new LS-7 does things logically and precisely in a textbook fashion ------- this old ZL-1 takes a hammer to the textbook and does things the way it wants to (tweed blazer vs. a leather jacket)

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by streetstar

....(tweed blazer vs. a leather jacket)

Nice analogy. That's freakin' funny . Instead of tweed blazer, I think the new LS-7's are more in-step w/an Armani suit (ala Bond, James Bond . . ...).

[454_72_4X4]

Originally Posted by SCOTI

The 'new' LS7 would be equal to a small block as far as the external dimensions, but it's all high end performance otherwise.

Although both of these 427's are all aluminum, the LS motor is filled w/the latest/greatest technological advancements.

The original LS7 was a 454. Over the counter crate engine only, or maybe COPO.

Depends on what you call technological advancements I guess.
The new LS engines use disposable technology as far as I'm concerned. Rods that can't be rebuilt, blocks that can't be bored....
They do run good, but ya better get it while it new, cause it scap iron after the first time..

[Dingfodgy]

I agree that there are more powerful, more practical and definately more economincal engines out there, but just let it roll off your tongue......"four twenty seven"! Doesn't that just sound bad-a$$? Sure you can throw out "LS7" in a room full of like minded gearheads and they'd get it. But when you tell someone, anyone...enthusiast or not, that you're rollin' a 427....they instantly know it is something special even if they don't know why.
Hell I could go out (if I had more money than brains) and buy the VW W16 piece of art that powers the Buggatti Veyron (1001 hp) and it would be impressive as all hell to those who knew what they were looking at and what it represented. But it still wouldn't compare to the legendary mystique of the ZL-1 427.
Just as today's "Hemi" (In Name Only) engine is technologically more advanced, efficient, and reliable then the originals......you wouldn't see a Mopar guy putting one under the hood of his '72 Hemi-Cuda resto-mod project.
Maybe I'm over romanticizing all this, but I like this 427 for it's nostalgia, simplicity and historical significance, not for the dyno charts, wiz-bang gadgetry and economic sensibilities.
Can't I dream my little dream without ya'll harshin' my gig?

[454_72_4X4]

I agree with ya Dingfodgy!

[chevy_632]

So build a solid one for $4500 bucks ya have fun doing it and save over the GM over priced crate price.still can brag its a 427 if thats what your into go buy the tall gm cast427 valve covers for 300 bucks.i think its an absolute waste of time puttin a all aluminium long block in our trucks personally.mine's a procharged496 but i dont tell anyone unless they ask to look under the hood and it made 746hp at the wheels at 9 psi.rolls off the tongue just as good as 427 does i think,instead of throwin a 396 crank in mine which anyone can do i spent 5 days machining it for more cubic's..in the end 427 still a wicked motor depends what your into just sayin there is alternate ways to go for cheaper even..

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by 454_72_4X4

The original LS7 was a 454. Over the counter crate engine only, or maybe COPO.

That's why I indicated 'new' when describing the LS7 as in an LS GEN IV late model motor so I wouldn't confuse some of you.

I was not comparing LS-7's; I was comparing 427ci aluminum GM engines.

[Dingfodgy]

Originally Posted by chevy_632

i think its an absolute waste of time puttin a all aluminium long block in our trucks personally.mine's a procharged496 but i dont tell anyone unless they ask to look under the hood and it made 746hp at the wheels at 9 psi.

Not tryin' to get into a pissing match with ya' but an all Aluminum 427 is no more ridiculous in a 40+ year old truck than a procharged 496 spinnin' close to 750 horsepower. Unless you're drag racing.......400 of them ponies are just there for bragging rights......just like a ZL-1 427 in a POS truck like mine.
Obviously the point of this post has been lost by some of ya'll. I just thought it would be cool to have a reproduction of the ZL-1 427 engine. I'll never have one and if I did- It wouldn't be in a daily driven road-warrior. Sheesh!

[454_72_4X4]

The local machine shop here in my small hick town has, (or had a few years ago), an aluminum BBC block sittin on the floor. It a GM block but I'm not sure what it is though.
I made the comment I'd trade my house for it if it was a ZL-1 block. LOL
I'm still livin in the house.....

[Billla]

Originally Posted by cstm68

stroke for a 327 crank

http://www.mortec.com/borstrok.htm

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by Dingfodgy

Not tryin' to get into a pissing match with ya' but an all Aluminum 427 is no more ridiculous in a 40+ year old truck than a procharged 496 spinnin' close to 750 horsepower. Unless you're drag racing.......400 of them ponies are just there for bragging rights......just like a ZL-1 427 in a POS truck like mine.
Obviously the point of this post has been lost by some of ya'll. I just thought it would be cool to have a reproduction of the ZL-1 427 engine. I'll never have one and if I did- It wouldn't be in a daily driven road-warrior. Sheesh!

Heck yea man..... I'd have one in my truck for sure! I get what you mean about the 427 'folklore'. The numbers '396' in front of two S's was pretty popular too .

[mtndewmaniac66]

I like my 327 small block. It gets the job done, and I don't have to stop at the gas station every other day to refuel.

[chevy_632]

totally dont get me wrong i never meant to come across as arguing with someone all of your guys opinion means sumtin to me thats not what i was gettin at at all..i just meant spend the money on more realistic stuff then the aluminium block..iknow 750 hp isnt practical i never went for that i could do it and for an affordable price so i did and i agree its over kill for a street truck..of course the 427 is a wicked motor i never doubted that in fact i have one at home i guess i was just tryin to get a point and my opinion across and it didnt work apparently....rob

[gregfull]

I hate to hijack, but where can I get some cast valve covers like the 427's but for a 502?

[streetstar]

http://store.summitracing.com/egnsea...115+4294903401

closest i could find -- same valve covers but with chevy logo only in black, orange or cast. Your friendly local Chevy counter-man (if there is such a thing) may have a line on them though

[bigsnookmaster]

For the money,I'd take a 572,paint the block aluminum,and put the cool 427 valve covers on,and really spank them at the track, "Of course its a 427"

[CG]

I think its a cool engine. I hate the valve covers though. Give me a set of finned Cal Customs any day.

I have to agree with a couple of the others, its all about saying you have a 427. That was the engine to have when I was a kid. All these 454s and 572s don't do a thing for me. Yeah they are powerful engines for sure, but they just don't have the mystique of the 427.

[FormerMember]

The new LS7 is also full roller, uses a dry sump oiling system, coil on cyl ignition (distributor-less), advanced composite crank and cam materials, coated everything to shed oil, etc. Complex computer management for adjustments of ignition advance, fuel/air mixture and other really fun stuff.

[coggonobrien]

the 396 and 454 do share the same block right? or is the deck height differant between the two.

[CrashPro993]

I may get pounded for this, but that first picture looks like a small block 427 to me. Am I wrong? If so, why?

[70~BigBlock~Project]

Originally Posted by CrashPro993

I may get pounded for this, but that first picture looks like a small block 427 to me. Am I wrong? If so, why?

Evenly-spaced exhaust ports=big block.

[CrashPro993]

Thanks BigBlock Project, I knew I was missing something. Much apreciated

[70~BigBlock~Project]

Originally Posted by Dingfodgy

I bet this thing is a fricken monster! How cool would it be to slap some "four-two-seven" badges on the sides of one of our trucks.....especially if it looked like a ratty-a$$ beater like mine! Ohhhh, if I could somehow crap a pound of 50's, I'd have one.

I share your feelings of "427 Nostalgia". I recommend you try doing what I plan to do: build your own. If you're patient great deals are easy to come by on ebay and craigslist. I purchased a 427 Tall Deck Motor for $350 just to build a monster stroker out of the block, but when I got to thinking about it I decided why waste a perfectly good forged 427 crank and set of forged BBC rods? The 427T engine all came with forged internals, so I found a 454 locally for sale on CL for $200 to drop the crank and rods (with car pistons) in. Turns out the $200 454 I purchased also came with a set of '049' heads. The guy had no idea what he was selling. With a little work on the heads and oversized valves I should easily be able to make 500hp out of my 427 running close to 10:1 on pump gas for very reasonable coin. Granted a +.060 bore will give me close to 440ci, but the old M/T aluminum valve covers that came with the tall deck that say '427' on them will never tell my secret...LOL!

[70~BigBlock~Project]

Originally Posted by CrashPro993

Thanks BigBlock Project, I knew I was missing something. Much apreciated

No problem. The other obvious give-away is the valve covers. They're about twice as wide as a small block's.

[70~BigBlock~Project]

Originally Posted by coggonobrien

the 396 and 454 do share the same block right? or is the deck height differant between the two.

The 396, 427, and 454 all share the same deck height of 9.8". The 427T engine has a deck height of 10.2" to allow 4-ring pistons to be used in it. This engine was used in heavy duty dump trucks, commercial trucks, school buses, etc. They were all 4 bolt mains, high nickel blocks with forged cranks and rods. The can easily be stroked to 4.5" from the stock stroke of 3.76" with the use of longer connecting rods. They're not cheap to build though, since stock intakes, distributors, pushrods do not fit on them. They are also dimensionally bigger and require a lot of modification to fit in tight spaces like camaros and chevelles, however that would probably be less of a concern to those wanting to put it in a truck.