Take a look at this unusual Chevy small block that has been converted to SOHC for sale.
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If your hesitation for a GM V8 swap stems from a dislike of overhead-valve (OHV, or pushrod) engine designs influenced by social media, Bring a Trailer has an interesting alternative: a small block Chevy V8 swapped with a single-overhead cam. This isn't an exotic motor from a rare race car but rather a standard 327 with a specially designed SOHC conversion. Quite intriguing, right?
As stated in the related Hot Rod article, these modified engines produced 350 horsepower solely from the cam swap—similar to what the L84 package engine offered in 1963, the top-tier engine featuring mechanical fuel injection. In contrast, the low-compression (carbureted) variant only delivered 250 horsepower.
While that power is appealing, there are numerous ways to achieve it from a small-block V8 without making extensive modifications. So, what’s the rationale behind this conversion? An overhead-cam engine has the advantage of a more compact valvetrain setup with lesser reciprocating mass. Although pushrods are straightforward, they're long and bulky; combined with the rocker arms, they add significant parasitic losses to an OHV engine and restrict higher RPM capabilities. The overhead-cam design removes these components, enabling lighter valve springs, which is beneficial for achieving peak power.
This specific conversion kit was developed by Pete Aardema. If that name sounds familiar, it's because he often engages in innovative projects involving internal-combustion engines. Remember the land speed record car we highlighted earlier with a custom-built V12? That's the same individual. While a conversion kit may be less ambitious than a self-built engine, it remains quite impressive.
It's essentially a bolt-on enhancement that retains the original camshaft for distributor drive functionality. This can all be accomplished without removing the heads, and all indications suggest that it is entirely reversible. In this instance, the kit comes pre-installed on a 1963 Chevrolet 327. Despite its novelty, it’s projected to sell at a reasonable price. Of course, bids typically increase as the auction nears its conclusion, but this piece's uniqueness might not necessarily command a high price.
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Take a look at this unusual Chevy small block that has been converted to SOHC for sale.
This unusual franken-motor was designed for hot rodding, but you can purchase it for any project you choose.