400 Setup

[T Man]

Ok, so after playing around with possible setups and configurations on Desktop Dyno I think I have it setup to where I want it on the tight budget I am on. Engine builders, tell me what you think of this....

400 SBC
Eagle Cast Crank
Eagle Cast Rods
Speed Pro Pistons 9.62 Comp. Ratio with 5.7 rods
Stock heads ported and polished (for now)
Edelbrock 1407 (750Cfm) carb converted to electric choke
Mickey Thompson Aluminum valve covers
Summit 2 Piece Timing cover
Cloyes Double roller timing chain
Crane cam 278-280 cam
Edelbrock Preformer Dual Plane intake


Included is the Desktop Dyno graph

http://www.s10planet.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=1857&stc=1

[fastSdime]

Looks good from what I'm reading Tommy.. But I want a tight buget like you. Hell when I rebuilt my last 350 I think everything was stock other then the pistons and rods. Cuz cranks aren't cheap. It looks about the way I went also on that motor. Other then it was a 350 and not a 400. It was a great running motor. The only thing I did different was I had a Pete Jackson time gears and I think thats it.

[Maximus]

Looks good T the only thing I would change or really add would be vortec heads.You can buy them new cheap but buy them used REALLY cheap.They will make that 400 breath very heavy and make great power.They out flow most ported heads because of the volume they flow stock is so large.Also look into Comp Extreme series cams.they have a good profile of having short duration with a good amount of lift/The last smallblock I built I used the XE274H.The grind is Duration: 274°/286° Lift: .487''/.490''.It makes great power with out sacrificing alot of bottom end.Which you really need good gears and a stall.Or if you wanna use the stock converter you can use the XE268H.With a grind at Duration: 268°/280° Lift: .477''/.480''.I have used this cam in a few different carbed 3rd gen Camaros and it works great.Again a shorter duration with a good amount of lift.I love the extreme series cams in a carbed application in general.They respond very well and the idle is lopey but decent.

[T Man]

Thanks max, ill check them out.

[T Man]

Right now, I cant decide if i wanna go solid or hydraulic, any ideas? Remember, daily driver.

[Sparky2263]

Hydraulic DEFINITELY!!!

[Maximus]

^^What he said definitely.

[jjwalker]

yeah, unless you like adjusting them every 50,000 then hydraulic.

Why dont you get a block from an RV that ran from propane and make a 409....the small stroke and huge pistons make for some serious high end power!

[fastSdime]

hydraulic is the way to go.

[jjwalker]

But solid lifters tend to make the curve much in the lower end. It all depends on what maintenance you want to do and how serious you are about squeezing power out. It all depends on setup...

I do personally prefer hysraulic lifters, if rollers are out of the wuestion but solid lifters have their place in the world!

[ONE BAD BLAZER]

Be Carfil 400 Are Bed About Over Heating Make Shere You Have A Very Good Cooling Sistom

[T Man]

the problem with 400's overheating is that people use different heads on them that dont have steam passages drilled into them. The 400 uses siamesed cylinder bores. This is what gave them their bad reputation.

[ONE BAD BLAZER]

Yes I Know. But Still Becaerful

[Maximus]

If you want a real good cam/lifter combo then go all roller.It would envolve some extra work to the block but nothing hard.A lot less friction and more power to be had.But they aint cheap and I know how building on a budget goes.

[T Man]

Right now, my budget is as tight as a ticks ass

[ONE BAD BLAZER]

You Can Get Just As Much Power Out Of Hydraulic Non Roller With The Right Cam. I Know Becuase I Have A 89 T/a Non Roller 305 5.0l That Runs 13.00 Flat With Cam,carb,headers,

[jjwalker]

My vote is still for 409!

[89shortbox]

You Can Get Just As Much Power Out Of Hydraulic Non Roller With The Right Cam. I Know Becuase I Have A 89 T/a Non Roller 305 5.0l That Runs 13.00 Flat With Cam,carb,headers,

You can make the same power but you cant make up for the torque that a roller will give you over the whole rpm range. That torque can make and nice difference in ET and seat of the pants feel.

[T Man]

So, here is the revised plan. Im getting a 350 crate motor for free. That will be a good motor to cut my teeth on and get the sbc swap down. I am still gonna build the 400, but i am going to build it right, then sell the crate motor.