NormR

Hello and thank you. I have owned a 1978 and 1993 in the past but am starting over and looking for a 65 - 67 with a small block & 4 speed. I have been advised by several to stick with the 300 hp (or less) engine to avoid fuel related issues, such as engine knock, having to retard timing, etc. I am told the higher horsepower 327 engines have a higher compression ration and do not play well with today's fuels.

Is this good advice as it does limit my selection even further; any suggestions would be appreciated.

My goal is to find a car I can drive on occasion, exhibit at the local car shows and would present itself well if judged. I just retired and I can not think of a better way to enjoy myself.

Any help you could lend would be greatly appreciated.

warrenmj

I have an L79 327/350 hp without hardened seats and don't have any problems whatsoever. I run 91 octane and I live at an elevation of 6000 feet in Colorado. I wouldn't limit my options to just the 300 hp as the L79 is a great engine.

MelWff

If you willing to use 93 octane gas and the engine is stock I see no reason not to look at a 350 HP version of the 327.

JohnZ

Any of the small-blocks, up to and including the 11:1 350hp L-79, will work just fine on pump premium if they're configured as stock and tuned to original factory specs. That story can change in a hurry if modifications are poorly chosen.

54greg

No matter how much your engine produces max horsepower wanted is just a little more

67's

About 450

Daren67

Until my 67 L79 runs like Donny Brass' 66 I will continue to tweak it for the next 20 years (any mostly likely never get there)

leif.anderson93

'67 L79 purrs like a kitten with 91 octane and tuned to factory specs.

Revfan

Just get the best car, in the best shape you can afford. 250, 300, 350 or 365... its all good.

SupremeDeluxe

I think the best overall configuration of a 327 is the L-79 (350 hp) setup. I have had every 67 EXCEPT for 300 horse car, and the L-79 is hands-down my favorite (even ahead of the 427 L-71 I currently have). And they run just fine on 93 octane pump gas.

Gary's '66

65GGvert

If you rule out the 350 hp L79, you have made a mistake. Looks and performance wise.

Larry21556

[QUOTE=Gary's '66;1587818005][/QUOTE

I have a stock '65 l-79 350 hp and it runs just fine on Costco 93 pump gas. That being said I put 15 gallons of 100 octane in it today and there is a difference at 5000 feet of elevation. Or maybe I just felt better after filling it up without any political correctness.

BlackbirdZ07

Horsepower: Too much is almost enough!

Mike Ward

I'd find different advisers.

dahogan

L-79, 350 horses and a beautiful engine to boot. There is nothing better.

Jackfit

Hi,

As stated by the above posters....love the L-79

My 66 with the l-79 has gone 300,000 miles on 5 rebuilds, and the only new parts are pistons and cam.

www.corvettevagabond.com You can read about it. Buy the L-79 you will be happy

jack

lawdawg

Aww $hiite, I'm gonna take a brow beating over this, but when ever I have a 300 horse car, everything can be perfect

And the 300 is the part I dislike the most. It's a little anemic, you will be much happier with a 350 horse all other things considered. A 300 with a 4 speed is somewhat acceptable all else aside.

Frankie the Fink

I think some say a 300hp (or lower hp) motor is, in one sense, more desirable because they probably get monkeyed with less by Hot Rod Harry modifications over the years. My SWC has a fine little 250hp that is a pussycat around town and has some pep when called for - but certainly not a pavement pounder. These "grocery getter" versions of the 327 may have never done a 1/4 mile drag strip run or gotten redlined regularly. Folks that wanted to do that usually went with the hotter mills.

However, a well set up high-HP SBC shouldn't give the driver a whit of trouble if cared for properly.

TCracingCA

To pay for some porting work on the heads, then targeting 500hp is good, if you plan the suspension and other mods to match it and any HP level beyond require quite a jump in money. But if you just Sunday drive, then whatever you have- should do!