General Engine Question

v6 · 05-16-2012, 01:21 AM

I've slowly been learning a lot about cars but i get confused when people say they have a 327 small block, etc. I'm used to hearing it in terms of Liters. What do those numbers mean? What would my 3.6L be considered in those numbers? is a small block for cars and a big block for trucks?

InfernoOrangeSS · 05-16-2012, 01:38 AM

http://bit.ly/JK8pz8

v6 · 05-16-2012, 01:55 AM

tried this didn't know what to type lol

lakersftbl69 · 05-16-2012, 02:02 AM

327 is cubic inch like the ls3 6.2 liter if I'm not mistaken is either a 386 or 396 I'm not sure. Or like the old ls1 is a 5.7 liter it's a 350

5cents · 05-16-2012, 02:32 AM

The numbers represent the cubic inch displacement of the engine. Engine sizes are no longer measured in cubic inches, it's liters now days.

You used to have 283, 327, and more recently 350's, that were built using a "small block". Then you had the 396, 409, and the 427, they were the "big block" motors.

Those engines came in both auto's and trucks. In the late 50's, early 60's Chevy trucks did have a 348CID engine.

Note: These CID sizes were for Chevrolet only. Buick, Pontiac, and Oldsmobile had their own sizes.

clg_98ta · 05-16-2012, 06:12 AM

The displacement (sum of the volume of all cylinders) indicates the volume of a/f charge that flows thru the engine. I really has nothing to do with the BB/SB nomenclature.

Chevrolet introduced the terms "small block" and "big block" for the two engine casting sizes they used in the 60's (maybe late 50's?). Smaller Chevy engines, i.e. 283, 327 and 350 generally used the small block while the 348's, 396's, 427's and later 454's used the larger block.

A Chevy 350 is a small block. So is the modern LS1 (350), LS3 (378), and LS7 (427).

I used to have a 1972 Firebird with a 350. It was built with the same size block as the 400 and 455, so in Chevy terms it was a big block. Pontiac (and others) used the same block for all their engines back then.

blackswan · 05-16-2012, 06:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by InfernoOrangeSS

http://bit.ly/JK8pz8

LMFBO!

fielderLS3 · 05-16-2012, 06:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by v6

I've slowly been learning a lot about cars but i get confused when people say they have a 327 small block, etc. I'm used to hearing it in terms of Liters. What do those numbers mean? What would my 3.6L be considered in those numbers? is a small block for cars and a big block for trucks?

Displacement is just the total volume of the cylinders of your engine. Remember that the volume of a cylinder = pi*r^2*h. When calculating engine displacement, r=half the cylinder bore, and h=the stroke. Then, multiply that cylinder volume by the number of cylinders for the displacement of the whole engine.

Today, all manufactures use metric units (liters) rounded to the nearest tenth of a liter, whereas American manufactures used to use English units (cubic inches). When calculating in metric units, calculate with the bore and stroke in units of centimeters to get volume in cubic centimeters. 1000 cubic centimeters=1 Liter.

The conversion between cubic inches and liters is roughly 61 cubic inches in a liter. So, a 327 cubic inch engine would round to 5.4L (more precisely 5.36L)

Not sure the exact cubic inch figure for the 3.6L Camaro, but depending on the rounding error in the 3.6L number, it must be between 217 and 223 cubic inches, probably on the low end, since most metric designed engines round up. For example, my Alero's 3.4 is actually a 3.35L, and my Mustang's "5.0" is actually 4.951L.

Quote:

Originally Posted by clg_98ta

A Chevy 350 is a small block. So is the modern LS1 (350), LS3 (378), and LS7 (427).

Careful on the rounding errors. The LS1 is actually a 346 (5.67L), if I recall correctly, and the LS3 is a 376 (6.16L). Not sure on the LS7, but for some reason, 427.6 (7.01L) sounds familiar.

fielderLS3 · 05-16-2012, 06:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5cents

The numbers represent the cubic inch displacement of the engine. Engine sizes are no longer measured in cubic inches, it's liters now days.

You used to have 283, 327, and more recently 350's, that were built using a "small block". Then you had the 396, 409, and the 427, they were the "big block" motors.

Those engines came in both auto's and trucks. In the late 50's, early 60's Chevy trucks did have a 348CID engine.

Note: These CID sizes were for Chevrolet only. Buick, Pontiac, and Oldsmobile had their own sizes.

The engine family we commonly call "big block" includes the 396 and 427 (and others), but not the 409 and 348. Those were part of a different engine family that pre-dated, and was ultimately replaced by the big block.

BenningJ · 05-16-2012, 07:15 AM

A 327ci motor is ~5.3L. There are plenty of unit converters out on the net, just need to do a google search for "unit converter." When dealing with displacement you will need to know it is a volumetric unit. After that you can put in any cubic inch or liter size you want and it will tell you immediately what you are looking for.

Now as for the configurations on how GM, Ford, etc got to there rated engine size you will need to do a lot more research. Once you know standard Bore and Stroke sizes you can use the formula above and calculate the displacement yourself.

suplex · 05-16-2012, 07:54 AM

The confusion that I have with the Liter Size of my 2011 1LT V6 Camaro is this (in regards to liters vs. horsepower)

I know our V6 Camaro's have a 3.6L engine, but let me post some HP stats of previous cars I have owned.

1994 Camaro V6, 3.4L = 160-hp
2005 Monte Carlo V6, 3.4L = 180-hp
2011 Camaro V6, 3.6L = 312-hp

For the 2011 Camaro to only have an engine that's 0.2L larger than the 1994 Camaro and an increase of 152-hp, it almost makes me wonder if they changed what the Liter size of an engine is over the years. It's just a little confusing to me.

GretchenGotGrowl · 05-16-2012, 07:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by suplex

The confusion that I have with the Liter Size of my 2011 1LT V6 Camaro is this (in regards to liters vs. horsepower)

I know our V6 Camaro's have a 3.6L engine, but let me post some HP stats of previous cars I have owned.

1994 Camaro V6, 3.4L = 160-hp
2005 Monte Carlo V6, 3.4L = 180-hp
2011 Camaro V6, 3.6L = 312-hp

For the 2011 Camaro to only have an engine that's 0.2L larger than the 1994 Camaro and an increase of 152-hp, it almost makes me wonder if they changed what the Liter size of an engine is over the years. It's just a little confusing to me.

It is the technology that has changed, not the definition of a liter.

Silver-Maro · 05-16-2012, 07:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by InfernoOrangeSS

http://bit.ly/JK8pz8

ROFLMFAO

garcmol · 05-16-2012, 08:02 AM

LLT = 217ci or 3564cc, or 3.6 ltr, get it?

05-16-2012, 01:21 AM	#1
v6 Drives: 2012 45th 2LT RS Join Date: May 2011 Location: Chico, California Posts: 1,002 View My Garage	General Engine Question I've slowly been learning a lot about cars but i get confused when people say they have a 327 small block, etc. I'm used to hearing it in terms of Liters. What do those numbers mean? What would my 3.6L be considered in those numbers? is a small block for cars and a big block for trucks?

05-16-2012, 02:02 AM	#4
lakersftbl69 Drives: 2010 camaro ss Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: conway sc. Posts: 1,453 View My Garage	327 is cubic inch like the ls3 6.2 liter if I'm not mistaken is either a 386 or 396 I'm not sure. Or like the old ls1 is a 5.7 liter it's a 350 __________________ ordered dec 15 2008 picked up on june 8 2009. upgrades kooks 1 7/8" LTH w/ deleted cats, corsa exhaust, hurst short throw shifter stage 3 comp cam, 3.91 gears ecs kit blower, meth injection, upgraded axles, drive shaft, McLeod rxt clutch, fully forged 416ci stroker all installed and dyno tuned by slowhawk performance in bridgewater ma.

05-16-2012, 02:32 AM	#5
5cents Dave Drives: 2011 Camaro SS - Black/CGM Stripes Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 437	The numbers represent the cubic inch displacement of the engine. Engine sizes are no longer measured in cubic inches, it's liters now days. You used to have 283, 327, and more recently 350's, that were built using a "small block". Then you had the 396, 409, and the 427, they were the "big block" motors. Those engines came in both auto's and trucks. In the late 50's, early 60's Chevy trucks did have a 348CID engine. Note: These CID sizes were for Chevrolet only. Buick, Pontiac, and Oldsmobile had their own sizes. Attached Images

05-16-2012, 06:12 AM	#6
clg_98ta Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 2,698 View My Garage	The displacement (sum of the volume of all cylinders) indicates the volume of a/f charge that flows thru the engine. I really has nothing to do with the BB/SB nomenclature. Chevrolet introduced the terms "small block" and "big block" for the two engine casting sizes they used in the 60's (maybe late 50's?). Smaller Chevy engines, i.e. 283, 327 and 350 generally used the small block while the 348's, 396's, 427's and later 454's used the larger block. A Chevy 350 is a small block. So is the modern LS1 (350), LS3 (378), and LS7 (427). I used to have a 1972 Firebird with a 350. It was built with the same size block as the 400 and 455, so in Chevy terms it was a big block. Pontiac (and others) used the same block for all their engines back then. __________________ Black 2SS ordered 1/4/2010, received 2/19/2010

05-16-2012, 07:15 AM	#10
BenningJ Drives: 2013 AGM 1SS/RS LS3 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Cedar Falls, Iowa Posts: 1,581 View My Garage	A 327ci motor is ~5.3L. There are plenty of unit converters out on the net, just need to do a google search for "unit converter." When dealing with displacement you will need to know it is a volumetric unit. After that you can put in any cubic inch or liter size you want and it will tell you immediately what you are looking for. Now as for the configurations on how GM, Ford, etc got to there rated engine size you will need to do a lot more research. Once you know standard Bore and Stroke sizes you can use the formula above and calculate the displacement yourself. __________________ 2013 Camaro 1SS/RS - Ashen Gray Metallic \| LS3 \| CAI Inductions, Inc Intake \| Vmax Ported Throttle Body \| Dynatech 1.875" Long Tube Headers \| Apex Scoop & Washer Bottle Relocation \| Lethal Racing Night Fury Cam \| BTR 7.400" Push Rods \|LS2 Dampener \| Melling 10296 Oil Pump \| IWIS Chain \| BTR .660" Dual Valve Springs \| BTR Trunion Upgrade Kit \| Lethal Racing Tuned \| Anvil Notch Spoiler \| BMR Split Drop Springs \| Eaton TrueTrac \| GM 3.91 Gears \| LPW Diff Cover \| Rohana RF2 275/40 20x10F 315/35 20x11R \| BMR Polyurethane Motor Mounts

05-16-2012, 01:55 AM	#3
v6 Drives: 2012 45th 2LT RS Join Date: May 2011 Location: Chico, California Posts: 1,002 View My Garage	tried this didn't know what to type lol

05-16-2012, 07:54 AM	#11
suplex Drives: 2011 Coupe, 1LT, A6, No RS Package. Join Date: May 2011 Location: Freehold, NJ. 07728 Posts: 1,042	The confusion that I have with the Liter Size of my 2011 1LT V6 Camaro is this (in regards to liters vs. horsepower) I know our V6 Camaro's have a 3.6L engine, but let me post some HP stats of previous cars I have owned. 1994 Camaro V6, 3.4L = 160-hp 2005 Monte Carlo V6, 3.4L = 180-hp 2011 Camaro V6, 3.6L = 312-hp For the 2011 Camaro to only have an engine that's 0.2L larger than the 1994 Camaro and an increase of 152-hp, it almost makes me wonder if they changed what the Liter size of an engine is over the years. It's just a little confusing to me. __________________ Never Underestimate The Power of Forums

05-16-2012, 08:02 AM	#14
garcmol Drives: 10 1LT SIM; 91 B4C sleeper Z Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Ft. Mitchell, Alabama Posts: 7,198	LLT = 217ci or 3564cc, or 3.6 ltr, get it? __________________ Pedders Pace Car Package, Injen CAI, Flowmaster AT, AAC Lighting, ZL1 fascia/skirts, RKSport Ram Air hood, vented fenders, painted stripes (Gary's Customz), Honor and Valor badged (Thank you, John)