Put in the correct order, the numbers four, two, and seven have an almost mythical aura to the Bowtie faithful.
That’s because some of the most iconic machines to come from Chevrolet in the 1960s were powered by versions of the fearsome 427 cubic inch Mark IV Chevy Big Block—including the L88 Corvette and ZL-1 Camaro.
As potent as those engines were however, since they were Chevy Big Blocks, the obvious drawbacks were physical engine size and weight.
But what if…what if…you could build a 427ci engine with the power of those early BBCs—only in the compact packaging of the trusty Small Block Chevy V8.
Well, with an all-new Summit Racing SPC Engine Block in their shop, that’s precisely what Pat Topolinski and Frankie Forman set out to do in a recent series on the “Engine Power” TV show from PowerNation TV.

Thanks to the strength and finishing of the Summit Racing SPC block, the guys are easily able to run a 4.125 inch bore and 4.000 inch stroke to get to that magical 427 cubic inch number.
But that calculation is just the start of the party, as the team tosses a smorgasbord of upgrade parts at the block to create some serious dyno numbers at the end.
Did their freshly-built 427 Mouse eclipse the output of those Big Block Rats of yesteryear?
We won’t spill the proverbial beans here. If you want the details behind the build, you’ll have to watch the episodes, direct from the PowerNation TV folks.
We’ll give you some links to the “Engine Power” series below. And better still, we’ll provide you a quick parts list so if you want to build 427 cubes of tasty Small Block goodness, you can follow the same recipe too.
Watch the PowerNation TV 427 SBC build episodes here:
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Engine Power Super Street 427ci SBC Parts List
Engine Bottom End
- Summit Racing™ SPC Engine Block – SUM-150202
- Summit Racing™ Freeze Plugs – SUM-G1581
- Summit Racing™ Pipe Plug Kit – SUM-921010
- Dura-Bond Engine Hardware Finishing Kit – DUR-FKC-1HP
- Fel-Pro Performance Rear Main Bearing Seal – FEL-2900
- Summit Racing™ Forged Crankshaft – SUM-SBC35040002P
- Summit Racing™ Performance Connecting Rods – SUM-SBC60002H
- Summit Racing™ Connecting Rod Bearings (standard size) – SUM-171000
- Clevite H-Series Rod Bearings (standard size) – CLE-CB663HN
- Clevite H-Series Rod Bearings (0.001″ thinner) – CLE-CB663HXN
- Clevite H-Series Main Bearings (standard size) – CLE-MS1038H
- Clevite H-Series Main Bearings (0.001″ thinner) – CLE-MS1038HX
- Summit Racing™ Forged Pro Pistons – SUM-SBC4274125
- Summit Racing™ Pro GPX Gas Ported Piston Rings – SUM-GP412512
- Summit Racing™ Pro SBC LS Firing Order Hydraulic Roller Camshaft – SUM-1226
- Melling Shark Tooth Oil Pump – MEL-10552ST
- ARP Oil Pump Stud Kit – ARP-230-7003
- Moroso Street/Strip Oil Pan – MOR-21816
- ARP Oil Pan Bolt Kit – ARP-434-1804
- Summit Racing™ Bracket Racer SFI Harmonic Damper – SUM-C4265
Engine Top End
- Jesel Rocker Arms – JES-KSS-337070
- Jesel Rocker Arm Shims – JES-KRS-28100
- Summit Racing™ Chromoly Pushrods – SUM-1457200
- Summit Racing™ Link Bar Hydraulic Lifters – SUM-HT218-16
- Summit Racing™ Cast Aluminum Timing Cover – SUM-G6300
- Summit Racing™ Billet Electric Water Pump – SUM-314350
- Trick Flow® Super 23® 230 Cylinder Heads for Small Block Chevrolet – TFS-32410002-C03
- Trick Flow® by PAC Racing Dual Valve Springs – TFS-16094-16
- Trick Flow® Cylinder Head Bolt Kit – TFS-92000
- Cometic MLS Head Gaskets – CGT-C5248-027
- Edelbrock Classic Cast Aluminum Valve Covers – EDL-41443
- Edelbrock Super Victor II Intake Manifold – EDL-2892
- FiTech Go-Spark Distributor – FIF-99013
- FiTech Go-Spark Ceramic Spark Plug Wire Set – FIF-90022
- Allstar Performance Throttle Lever Stud – AAF-ALL54172
- Hot Shot’s Secret Adrenaline R-Series Racing Oil (10w30) – HOS-713289207403
Our pal Jeff Smith took a closer look at the Summit Racing SPC engine block—you can read his feedback here. Summit Racing’s SPC Engine Blocks for Small Chevy May be the Best Ever
How much does this parts list total out to be???
Hey Lloyd, just doing a quick tally of the parts on this specific list runs around $13,100—and it does not include the induction setup and some other key parts and assembly products.
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But! Keep in mind that the goal of this build was to create the most powerful, durable, and easy to live with 23-degree small block possible using brand new, off-the-shelf parts. The simple bolt-together nature is important to consider as well.
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We spoke directly with the Summit Racing engine expert who assisted spec’ing the build and they see no reason why this engine couldn’t live well over 100k miles making prodigious power. According to their bench calculations, rear wheel horsepower should be about 535—which puts it right there with a cammed-up LS7 (which is no small feat).
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That said, there are also plenty of areas where you could shave some expense (like alternate or used parts) too. If you want to build a similar motor, we recommend talking with the Summit Racing tech experts here—they’ll be able to create a parts list to meet both your performance and budget expectations.
Does the LS firing order cam change the typical rod/cam interference issues in a std cam location SBC? Because… in the video, and the camshaft listed in the build sheet, that’s a standard base circle cam. There are often clearance issues with a std b/c cam and even a 3.75″ crank, depending on the rods used. I can’t see how any of that fits as-is with a 4″ crank. Am I expecting too much detail from what’s essentially an advertisement?
Hey CC,
Yes the firing order changes which lobe is close to a rod shoulder. Pat and Frankie looked at this and had 0.060″ clearance on the closest one, so no clearance work required on the Summit Racing Forged Pro connecting rod—which does have Stroker clearance designed into it.
The only grinding required was the pan rails.
They normally accommodate 3.850, so you will not run into thin spots there.
Thanks!