brimcc

What are the thoughts on the 400ci engine for my 79. Is it a good fit for the car or should I look for a 350?

74vetteman

I would only use the 400 based engine if you want a faster, torquier, more fun to drive car. :jester

Jason628

Greetings,

I've experienced both in C3's...To be honest if the original engine wasn't in my 74 I'd be going with a 383 stroker...lots o'torque and really not much price difference than building a nice 400.

Like anything, it all depends on what you want to do with the car and your performance goals.

Good luck,

Jason

Gator81

I wanted to put a 406 (400, +.030" overbore) in my '81, but went with a 355 (350, +.030" overbore) instead, because I wanted it to be emissions-legal. I knew I would be going with higher compression than stock, and a more agressive cam, and I was afraid the 406 wouldn't pass the sniffer test.

As it turns out, my 355 with the cam and compression is actually cleaner in terms of HC and CO than the stocker was. I could've had a 406 and still had plenty of room to spare on the emissions sniffer test. That makes me very sad...

Go for it. Just have it built with 5.7" rods instead of the too-short stock rods. Get the KB hypereutectic pistons for the 406 that are built with the high wrist pin location to accept the 5.7" rods. Just my opinion...

More cubic inches = more torque = more acceleration = more :D


[Modified by Gator81, 1:10 PM 10/29/2002]

'79ProwlerOrange

are you building a motor or buying one. if you are building one i say 400, if your just buying one i say 350. there are alot more high performance 350s than 400s. at least that ive seen.

427V8

400's are no good, I'll take it to a disposal place I know of, no fee.

brimcc

It's a long drive to Canada to dispose of. :lol:

Brettmc

I had one of those suckers. A 400 that is. One hot little mama. Real hot. Upwards of 230-235 degrees in traffic with a 4-row copper&brass in a 69 Maro. Fan shroud in place even. Prolly could have used something better than a stock water pump. If you get a 400, be prepared for rat-sized cooling issues. These can prolly be solved nicely with today's new tech. Also, be prepared for serious torque if you dont go crazy with the cam. Mine would catch 3rd with a kitted 350 and stock verter.

joeveto

I think the 400 is a great choice. I'd go for it.

PatsLs1vette

i liked my 406 except i couldnt get it to stop pinging,compression was way to high .500 domed pistons with 041 heads.Eventually ill build another one but more cubes .434ci

brimcc

The 400 is many miles away from where I live, but a can pick up a complete 350 out of a 73 truck for $300. Starter, alternator, power pump, compete. I don't know if being from a truck make a difference? I would have to rip it apart any way. What do you think? The price is right.

PatsLs1vette

well the 350 truck motor is most likely a 4 bolt main block,

74vetteman

Cooling issues with 400 based engines are more myth than reality in my experience. Granted, your cooling system must be in good order because of the cubes and power involved. My car rarely exceeds 200 if ever, and that's with the lower third of the block filled with hard block. I do run a big block rad,160 degree thermostat, Edelbrock Victor water pump, and the stock fan and shroud though, which should optimize the cooling system.

zymurgist

And then there's the matter of the steam holes that need to be drilled in the heads when installed on 400 blocks. A lot of early hot rodders didn't do that and had problems with overheating. From what I've read, though, the steam holes really work to keep the temperatures down.

You might also want to ask the same question on chevytalk.com.

427V8

Um, I'm thinking that my scarcasm didn't cross the Internet Firewall...

I run a 400, stoked and bored to 434. It put's out a mild 460 hp and 500 ft/lbs.
I cool it with the stock smallblock brass radiator and used to use the stock water pump. I race the car, autocross and drag.

The ONLY time it's ever gotten hot is on 95' days when I make multiple back to back 1/8 mile passes, no time to cool! Or one other time also hot out doing a low speed autocross, again no air speed no time to cool...

400 cooling problems are a myth :yesnod:

joe73vette

I had a 406 in my street rod, it was awesome! Fastest car I ever owned! Torque of a big block and revs like a small block.
I used ported 882 heads, L82 cam with 1.6 rockers, old Z/28 intake with a Holley 750DP, flat top pistons (10:1) and stock rods. I had the assembly balanced and it would scream from 3000 to 6000 rpm! With 4.11 gears and a 4-speed, I could spin the tires all the way into 4th gear!
Just make sure you drill the steam holes, and use the right rear main seal if you line hone the block. Joe

PatsLs1vette

yeah mine never ran hot at all ran consistently at 180-185 or cooler if i ran a 160 stat in it.If you put other heads besides the 400 heads just make sure you drill the steam holes and youll be fine.

SmokedTires

Great topic being that I just picked up a 400 block a week ago :D I can't wait until I get all the goodies for it ;) !

brimcc

Stupid question, but what are steam holes?

427V8

Because 400's clyinders are so big they actually touch water can't get between them and steam builds up in the corners. steam holes let the steam out so it cools better.

BTW a friend of mine is building a sleeper S-10 with a 400. The truck is stripped so it will weigh like 2200 lbs with 400 or so hp.

Probably don't want to race a lowered yellow S-10 in the cities here :smash: