I used to have a a SS 396 Camaro. I blew the engine and got a good buy on a brand new, truck-version 427 - which is basically just a bigger version of the 366. I got it bolted in OK with a few mods, but it was a dog. Very low compression, and a very mild camshaft. Ran like a 2 barrel 348 powerwise but used fuel like a HP 396. It was a learning experience. I tried to buy a hot cam for it - and found out the truck-version engine uses a gear-driven cam that turns reverse-rotation from a car-version 396 or 427. I finally got rid of it and got a 389 powered 1965 GTO instead, which I quickly blew to pieces. At the time, just about everybody (Chevy lovers, that is) wanted a big-block Chevy. After jerking around with many 265-283-327 SBs, and 348-409s, the "new mystery" engine sounded interesting.
Back in 1963 Chevy built a handfull of special Nascar 427s and won at Daytona. It was a different 427 than the later version (how different, I'm not sure). It's the rarest Chevy V8 ever made, as far as I know. According to GM, it was the prototype to the later 396. It shared design traits of the standard 427 and also the 409. My friend owned a Z28 Camaro with a 302 - I picked it up with him new when he got back from Viet Nam. I think it was only offered for 1 or 2 years. I had the SS 396 Camaro with the factory installed big-block. His 302 Z28 didn't have the low end torque mine did, but overall, was a much better driver. The low end torque in the Camaro was kind of useless since it could sit there and burn rubber until the back tires came off. The 302, as I recall was a rare bird since it was one of few production engines that conformed with Trans Am racing rules and the cubic inch limitations. Ford did it too with the Boss 302.
The Chevy 302 was basically a 327 block with a 283 crankshaft, cast in high nickel, with special heads, solid lifters, high-plane intake, etc. In regard to BBs versus SBs? 396s were great engines in bigger cars - but not great in Camaros.
I'd still take a 283 or 327 over any of them. My 65 Chevelle still has it's original 327 and it's a great runner - although a fuel hog by today's standards.
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