are sb 427's really 427 c.i.'s

[cobrarkc]

Originally Posted by Streetwize

Rich,

I think you may be right regarding the head/valve layout but even considering that these days 427" is really the realm of the big inch small block, much lighter rotating mass (my bobweight is like 1830G), guys are building small blocks in the 470 and even 480 cube range these days. 1 7/8" and 2" header sizes that weren't even dreamed of 15 yrs ago for smallblocks, now they're common place. And I do agree most of the Windsor stuff is still a traditional wedge, however the port angles and lighter valvetrain mass (especially in that 280-320CFM headflow range) is still an advantage at higher RPM (above the torque peak)over say the Edelbrock FE head.

Wize
I quess you don't know that Keith Craft stage II heads flow 320+ cfm and stock Tunnelport heads flow 350cfm and there are couple people manufacturing SOHC heads that flow 400cfm and they are making kits for complete engines now. On the FE forum Ohio George was just telling everyone how he ran his SOHC motors to 8k+ back in the 60's. As you stated it costs big money but the old saying still holds true. "There is no substitute for cubic inches".
Small blocks are fun as you can see I have one, but there is nothing like that kick in the pants you get from a BIG BLOCK!

[Streetwize]

With respect....I think I know a pretty good amount about most of the heads that are out there, and I know a better than average amount about BIG BIG BLOCKS (ex: I run Chapman CNC'ed 380+ heads on a 700+hp 517" street car) ....but with big blocks proportionally big cross section ports will want either (big cubes to make torque) or Lots of RPM to make the ports work. The really trick "go fast" stuff for big blocks all have farily large (to really large) port cross-sections as they are designed primarily to work with todays modern BIG (typically 480+ cube) Big blocks. The really big stuff flows 465+ cfm and state of the art pro stock 500" stuff is well over 500.

If you build a 427" FE and a 427" 9.2 to 9.5" deck height smallblock with similar head flows (take your pick as long as you go Apples to Apples) compression, cams, induction and exhaust, I'd put my $$$ on the small block making more power, and fromthe driver's seat the smallblock (by virtue of a more efficient port (smaller valve, longer stroke, better port angle and smaller port cross section) it would make more torque out of the basement and then up top by virtue of a MUCH LIGHTER bobweight and valvetrain mass will rev faster and higher and make more power up top. Maybe not much more, but definately measureably more. So I think you can attain both more peak power and better average torque through out the powerband, so at 427" I think the "Nothing kicks like a big block" doesn't really hold up any more.

Remember....To compare fairly you have to build both to the same size and parameters. A smallblock reaches a practical limit at around 450-460 cubes, (4.155 x 4.17-ish), but even potentially bigger with a 400M deck block. compare that to maybe 410 only 10 yrs ago. Beyond that you are pretty much in the Big block realm.

The topic is 427 cubes (and ONLY 427 cubes).....7000 cc's.......for Fords (my .02 cents) the best power packages at that displacement or below are small blocks in terms of average torque and Hp per cube. Again....It's primarily due to the tens of millions of dollars invested over the years in NASCAR small block (358") technology that has trickled down to the hot hodding world.