79 engine question
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Instructor
Joined: May 2009
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From: Huxley Iowa
79 engine question
Can someone tell me the difference in performance from the standard 1979 Vette engine compared to a 400ci small block with 780 Holley carb. I don't know much about either so I was wondering if this was considered an upgrade or not? What would be the positives and negatives of the 400ci? Thank you in advance!
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,883
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From: North Easton Mass
Can someone tell me the difference in performance from the standard 1979 Vette engine compared to a 400ci small block with 780 Holley carb. I don't know much about either so I was wondering if this was considered an upgrade or not? What would be the positives and negatives of the 400ci? Thank you in advance!
Rick B.
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Instructor
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 157
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From: Huxley Iowa
Thanks for the reply. I was actually checking out a car listed on this site and saw that it has a 400ci and don't know much about it. I did a quick search about 400ci engine and saw that the heads tend to crack, but was wondering if anyone could shed more light on this?
The 79 L48 is a pretty low HP engine. The highest HP engine you could get in 79 was 225 HP. Without knowing the specifics of the 400 it's impossible to say what the HP advantage would be but it is most likely more than 225 HP. The only negative I can think of with the 400 would be worse gas mileage. I would store the 79 engine if it is the original in case you or someone else wants to return the car to stock condition some day.
Rick B.
Rick B.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2007
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From: Southern Cal Ca
St. Jude Donor '22
The Orig motor was made during the dark years of early smog
motors.
Low compression and limited advance timing.
Given say a simple 1 hp per CI, the 350 has 350 horse ability and the 400 has 400.
I think a 350 has more HP parts available and would probably be cheaper to build.
Generally more CI will give more grunt.
motors.
Low compression and limited advance timing.
Given say a simple 1 hp per CI, the 350 has 350 horse ability and the 400 has 400.
I think a 350 has more HP parts available and would probably be cheaper to build.
Generally more CI will give more grunt.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,545
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From: 406ci SB, AFR 180 Heads - 490 HP @5,600 RPM 529 lb-ft @ 4,100 RPM
I run a 406ci, with a 750 carb, but performance will depend on what you wish to spend on building a 400 ci. But even a stock 400 will out perform your stock engine.
