Investigate this unique SOHC-converted Chevy Small Block available for purchase
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Got a hankering for a GM V8 swap but can't stomach overhead-valve (OHV, a.k.a pushrod) motor designs on your social media timeline? Well, Bring a Trailer has just the fix for you: a single-overhead-cam-swapped small block Chevy V8! It's not your typical racer motor, but rather a custom 327 with a meticulously crafted SOHC conversion that's even better for it.
:whale: Hardware Adrenaline Rush: According to an accompanying Hot Rod article, upgrading to this cam swap alone netted a whopping 350 horses, on par with the top 1963 L84 engine, complete with mechanical fuel injection. The base, low-compression carbureted version, on the other hand, maxed out at a mere 250 ponies.
Sure, the additional horsepower is great, but honestly, you could get that kind of oomph from a small-block V8 without having to do surgery on it. So, what's the point, you ask? Well, an overhead-cam naturally delivers a tighter valvetrain package, packing a punch with less reciprocating mass compared to pushrod designs. To put it simply, the long, heavy pushrods and associated rocker arms in OHV engines add unnecessary parasitic losses, restricting engine performance, particularly at higher revolutions per minute (RPM).
This specific SOHC conversion kit comes courtesy of Pete Aardema, a name you might recognize if you've followed our coverage of those edge-of-the-line internal combustion engine projects, like the home-built V12 we featured back in the day. Sure, an SOHC conversion is less ambitious than a custom engine build, but it's still a remarkable feat.
This bolt-on upgrade keeps the factory camshaft running as a distributor drive, with the heads left in place for easy installation. Plus, the kit's design appears completely reversible. In this instance, you've got the SOHC conversion done on a 1963 Chevrolet 327. Now, with features like these, it's poised to auction for a relatively modest price tag. Remember, those numbers usually climb near the finish, but this little-known gem may not command top dollar.
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[1] "Single Overhead Cam vs Double Overhead Cam Engines." EngineEngine.com. https://www.engineengine.com/single-overhead-cam-vs-double-overhead-cam-engines/[2] "Pushrod vs. Overhead Cam." Auto Service Cost TV. https://www.autoservicecost.tv/pushrod-vs-overhead-cam/[3] "Single Overhead Cam Valve Train: Concept, Advantages, and Limitations." Engine Bible. https://enginebible.com/single-overhead-cam-valve-train-concept-advantages-and-limitations/[4] "Overhead Cam Engine vs Overhead Valve Engine." Engine Formula. https://www.engineformula.com/overhead-cam-engine-vs-overhead-valve-engine/
Incorporating technology into lifestyle choices, such as upgrading cars with a single-overhead-cam (SOHC) swapped small block Chevy V8, offers enhanced performance with tight valvetrain packaging, comparable to the top 1963 L84 engine. This lifestyle choice also embraces sports through their shared focus on improved speed and horsepower, often showcased in racing events. Furthermore, staying updated on the latest technology trends in cars, like the advantages of SOHC engines over pushrod designs, is akin to keeping current with sports results and the ongoing strategies used to achieve victory.
