Which engine gives better performance? 327/350/383/400 small block?

For a person not interested in racing and all that, just interested in having a hotrod S10 to cruise around in from time to time, which engine would give the best performance? The 327, 350, 383, or the 400 small block?

Someone once posted that most people get 350's because they're the cheapest and the easiest to find, but it would be better to put in a 327 or a 383? And I'm not really too sure about the 400 small block... :confused:

(Note: I currently have a 4.3L)

Thanks for your help.:)

A 350 will give you your biggest bang for the buck. Easily modifiable and the least hassle to put in our trucks. Avg v8 will be around 300hp with the best fuel miledge

Like rlith says the 350 is the best bang for the buck because of the price of aftermarket parts.

However if you want to scream a stock engine a 327 is the better choice.

Or you want good bottom end torque from a stock motor a 400 is the best choice.

However it's getting hard to find good 327, and 400 sbc motors. And it's even getting tougher to find anything different that a 305

when done up right, a 383 stroked will be the BEST moter for power, but it is highly expencive, and can be a pain in the ass, a 350 is the most common swap, like mentiond above, parts are easy to come by and fairly inexpencive, a 400 if you can find it, scoop it up, lots of torque in the lower rpm's it would SCREAM off the line, 327 is very nice, but good luck finding one, and if you do its expencive, a bare block, and needs work, usually... best bang for buck is a 350, the core can be picked up cheeply, and if you lucky you can buy a totaled out full size truck and have every thing you need to run it now, or you could soup her up and have your harnesses and ecm already there for ya...you didnt mention it, but i suggest staying away from 305's nothing but problems, ive had to do countless number of oil rings in those damn things!

The 305 isn't that much better than the 2.8L

Its a matter of prefrence as to which is better. However, As far as torque and horsepower I belive the 383 is the answere to the better performer. All of the engines you mentioned can be obtained affordably if you do your homework. Most all smallblock chevy parts can be interchanged. Let me know if I can help.

If your just looking for something to have fun with and your not too concerned about timeslips, go with a mild 350. It would be cheap, fairly reliable, streetable (won't overheat during city driving), and it will still be ALOT of fun to drive. 327's and 400's are expensive and don't offer a huge advantage over a properly built 350. 383's are strong motors but they take some money to build and can be tempermental at times. They do offer gobs more torque but if your just looking to play around a bit, it would be an overkill for your truck.

This is off the subject a little bit, but does anyone own or has preaviusly owned a 400 small block, I have one and have some questions about it?????

start a new thread, people will be more then happy to help you there, on the main s 10 page, just click where it says start new thread, give it an appropriate title and ask away!

My mechanic friend builds up 400sbc and knows a lot about them.
P.M. me with your questions and I'll talk to him about it.
Just a warning he hasn't left one stock for more than 10 min.