427 Engine Guide: Chevy 427, Ford 427 and LS 427 Explained
“427” is a displacement, 427 cubic inches or 7.0 liters, and several unrelated engines share it: the Chevy big block 427 and the Ford FE 427 of the 1960s, GM’s LS7 small block, and modern 427 strokers built on LS and small block Ford architecture. They share almost no parts, so the first question about any 427 is which family it belongs to.
The main 427 engines compared
| Engine | Family | Bore x stroke (in.) | Known for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chevy 427 big block | Mark IV big block Chevy | 4.251 x 3.76 | 1966 to 1969 Corvettes, Camaros and full-size Chevrolets; L72, L71, L88 and the aluminum ZL1 |
| Ford 427 FE | Ford FE big block | About 4.23 x 3.78 | 1960s NASCAR and drag racing, the 427 Cobra and the Le Mans GT40 Mk II |
| GM LS7 | Gen IV LS small block | 4.125 x 4.000 | The 7.0L engine of the 2006 to 2013 Corvette Z06 |
| 427 small block strokers | LS, small block Chevy and Ford Windsor | Commonly 4.125 x 4.000 | Current crate engines and stroker kits |
By the formula in our displacement guide, a 4.251 x 3.76 inch V8 comes to 427 cubic inches and a 4.125 x 4.000 inch V8 to 427.6. The Ford FE measures closer to 425 cubic inches and was sold as a 427.
Chevy 427: big block
The Chevrolet 427 is a Mark IV big block that shares its 4.251 inch bore with the later 454; the 454 gets its extra displacement from a longer 4.00 inch stroke. Factory versions ranged from hydraulic-lifter passenger car engines to the solid-lifter L72 and L71, the race-oriented L88 and the all-aluminum ZL1. New 427 big blocks are uncommon today because the same block makes a 454 or more for similar money; see our 454 big block guide and the big block Chevy crate engines we list.
Ford 427: the FE and the modern small block
The original Ford 427 was the racing member of the FE big block family, built in the 1960s in wedge-head form and as the overhead-cam “Cammer”. Original FE 427s are now collector engines.
The 427 Fords sold as crate engines today are small blocks. A 4.125 inch bore with a 4.000 inch stroke in a 351 Windsor-pattern block gives 427 cubic inches in a far lighter, more compact package than the FE. Our Ford Performance Z427 listings describe a 427 cubic inch, 535 HP small block Ford, and the Eagle 351W kit below uses exactly that 4.125 x 4.000 combination.
LS 427 and the 427 small block Chevy
GM’s LS7 brought the number back in 2006 as a 7.0L small block. LS7 crate engines are not in our range, but 427 cubic inch LS strokers are: BluePrint’s 427 LS is listed at 605 HP and 565 lb-ft with 11:1 compression, a hydraulic roller camshaft and Holley Terminator X EFI. For the LS family see GM LS engines explained.
A 427 cubic inch Gen I small block Chevy needs an aftermarket block, because a factory 350 block cannot take a 4.125 inch bore with a 4.000 inch stroke. The Dart SBC Little M block we list has a 4.125 inch bore and is rated for up to a 4.250 inch stroke.
427 crate engines and parts we list
| Product | Type | From the listing | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| BluePrint 427 LS crate engine (PSLS4273CTF) | LS stroker, EFI | 427 CID, 605 HP, 565 lb-ft, 11:1 compression | $15,049 |
| Ford Performance Z427, front sump (M-6007-Z2427FFT) | Small block Ford | 427 cubic inch, 535 HP | $11,999.99 |
| Ford Performance Z427, rear sump (M-6007-Z2427FRT) | Small block Ford | 427 cubic inch, 535 HP | $11,999.99 |
| Eagle 351W 427 stroker rotating assembly (14625125) | Stroker kit | 4.125 in. bore, 4.000 in. stroke, forged crank and pistons, H-beam rods | $2,225.99 |
Prices change; check each product page for the current price and the full description. Every order ships for a flat $75 to any US state.
Which 427 should you choose?
- Restoring a 1960s car: originality decides, and that means the correct big block Chevy or Ford FE for the car.
- LS swap or late-model GM: a 427 LS stroker fits where an LS3 fits and uses LS accessories. See the LS swap guide.
- Mustang, Cobra replica or Ford hot rod: a 427 small block Ford gives big-block displacement in a Windsor-sized package. Check the sump position (front or rear) against your chassis.
- Building your own: a stroker rotating assembly needs a block with the right bore and enough clearance; a machine shop should check both. See rotating assemblies and engine blocks.
Frequently asked questions
Is a 427 a big block or a small block?
Both exist. The 1960s Chevy 427 and Ford FE 427 are big blocks. The LS7, 427 LS strokers and 427 small block Fords are small blocks that reach the same displacement with a large bore and a 4.000 inch stroke.
How many liters is a 427?
427 cubic inches is 7.00 liters, so 427s are sold as 7.0-liter engines.
Who made the 427, Chevy or Ford?
Both. Chevrolet’s 427 was a Mark IV big block and Ford’s was part of the FE family. They are completely different engines that happen to share a displacement.
Is the LS7 a 427?
Yes. The LS7 displaces 7.0 liters, or 427 cubic inches, from a 4.125 inch bore and 4.000 inch stroke.
How much horsepower does a 427 crate engine make?
It depends on the build. Of the 427s we list, the Ford Performance Z427 is rated at 535 HP and the BluePrint 427 LS at 605 HP.
Related: 454 big block, big block vs small block, what is a stroker engine, Ford 302 engine, liters to cubic inches, crate engines, all guides.
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