Help with cam selection for SB 400
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 12,706
Likes: 329
From: Scottsdale Arizona
Help with cam selection for SB 400
I would appreciate help or direction where to find help for cam selection. I've never done this before. 
I was looking for an engine stand to start the rebuild on my rusty 350 when what should I find:
Probably means a little more time and certainly more money, but this was the motor that I wanted to go with next winter when I had more time. By the way, thanks to Chevyreb for his write up the other day on these. Gave me a much better idea of the bad things to look out for.
The pistons are Speed Pro -12.5 cc dished.
Heads will be Edelbrock RPM 170 cc intake runner, 64 cc CC
Approx CR is 10.1 to 1
Edelbrock performer intake
Rough idle doesn't bother me but not enough vacuum to run my accesories does
Looking for low end grunt rather than a high end screamer
Preference is for flat tappet, hyrdaulic
I know that the heads are a little small for the block, but that's what I have. Should be very responsive at least.
Suggestions on cam or where to look?
I was looking for an engine stand to start the rebuild on my rusty 350 when what should I find:
Probably means a little more time and certainly more money, but this was the motor that I wanted to go with next winter when I had more time. By the way, thanks to Chevyreb for his write up the other day on these. Gave me a much better idea of the bad things to look out for.
The pistons are Speed Pro -12.5 cc dished.
Heads will be Edelbrock RPM 170 cc intake runner, 64 cc CC
Approx CR is 10.1 to 1
Edelbrock performer intake
Rough idle doesn't bother me but not enough vacuum to run my accesories does
Looking for low end grunt rather than a high end screamer
Preference is for flat tappet, hyrdaulic
I know that the heads are a little small for the block, but that's what I have. Should be very responsive at least.
Suggestions on cam or where to look?
Last edited by CA-Legal-Vette; Mar 3, 2007 at 09:48 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 7,098
Likes: 378
From: Las Vegas - Just stop perpetuating myths please.
Try a Desktop Dyno.
Wow, nice accessory to the eng stand - a fresh looking 400" short block with new dished pistons.
I wish it was always that easy to find a good 400" short block.
As far as a cam selection, well 10:1 c.r. will support most any cam u want - big or small. smog requirements? U didn't list rear gear ratio or transmission so thats as far as a choice can will go and good luck with your new 400" short block.
cardo0
I wish it was always that easy to find a good 400" short block. As far as a cam selection, well 10:1 c.r. will support most any cam u want - big or small. smog requirements? U didn't list rear gear ratio or transmission so thats as far as a choice can will go and good luck with your new 400" short block.
cardo0
Racer
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 263
Likes: 0
From: Creswell OR
I would appreciate help or direction where to find help for cam selection. I've never done this before.
I was looking for an engine stand to start the rebuild on my rusty 350 when what should I find:
Probably means a little more time and certainly more money, but this was the motor that I wanted to go with next winter when I had more time. By the way, thanks to Chevyreb for his write up the other day on these. Gave me a much better idea of the bad things to look out for.
The pistons are Speed Pro -12.5 cc dished.
Heads will be Edelbrock RPM 170 cc intake runner, 64 cc CC
Approx CR is 10.1 to 1
Edelbrock performer intake
Rough idle doesn't bother me but not enough vacuum to run my accesories does
Looking for low end grunt rather than a high end screamer
Preference is for flat tappet, hyrdaulic
I know that the heads are a little small for the block, but that's what I have. Should be very responsive at least.
Suggestions on cam or where to look?
I was looking for an engine stand to start the rebuild on my rusty 350 when what should I find:
Probably means a little more time and certainly more money, but this was the motor that I wanted to go with next winter when I had more time. By the way, thanks to Chevyreb for his write up the other day on these. Gave me a much better idea of the bad things to look out for.
The pistons are Speed Pro -12.5 cc dished.
Heads will be Edelbrock RPM 170 cc intake runner, 64 cc CC
Approx CR is 10.1 to 1
Edelbrock performer intake
Rough idle doesn't bother me but not enough vacuum to run my accesories does
Looking for low end grunt rather than a high end screamer
Preference is for flat tappet, hyrdaulic
I know that the heads are a little small for the block, but that's what I have. Should be very responsive at least.
Suggestions on cam or where to look?
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 12,706
Likes: 329
From: Scottsdale Arizona
Auto tranny and I assume stock rear end. Not sure what's stock for a 73. I'll likely switch to a 200-4R when the funds recover.
No smog requirements in California for 75 and earlier.
No smog requirements in California for 75 and earlier.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 12,706
Likes: 329
From: Scottsdale Arizona
That's not entirely true. As I said, I'm much more interested in low end. Most of these components were chosen for 1000 RPM and up, though admittedly for a 350.
Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 10,674
Likes: 122
From: Millington Illinois
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 12,706
Likes: 329
From: Scottsdale Arizona
My wife assures me that my head is already too big.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 12,706
Likes: 329
From: Scottsdale Arizona
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 7,739
Likes: 630
From: Unreconstructed, South Carolina
Nice block ... With those pistons it may have less-than-desirable short 5.565" rods.
-edit-Can you see a number in piston top ? ... Like H601 or H615 ... H601 uses short rod ... H615 uses 5.7" 350 rod.
also ... how much deck clearance does it have? ... how far down in hole is piston when @ TDC?
-edit-Can you see a number in piston top ? ... Like H601 or H615 ... H601 uses short rod ... H615 uses 5.7" 350 rod.
also ... how much deck clearance does it have? ... how far down in hole is piston when @ TDC?
Last edited by jackson; Mar 4, 2007 at 11:54 AM.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 12,706
Likes: 329
From: Scottsdale Arizona
Nice block ... With those pistons it may have less-than-desirable short 5.565" rods.
-edit-Can you see a number in piston top ? ... Like H601 or H615 ... H601 uses short rod ... H615 uses 5.7" 350 rod.
also ... how much deck clearance does it have? ... how far down in hole is piston when @ TDC?
-edit-Can you see a number in piston top ? ... Like H601 or H615 ... H601 uses short rod ... H615 uses 5.7" 350 rod.
also ... how much deck clearance does it have? ... how far down in hole is piston when @ TDC?
Haven't been able to measure deck clearance yet. There is no flex plate/flywheel or balancer on it so I can't easily turn it while it's hanging from the engine hoist. i'll check when I put it n the stand.
Is there an easy way to measure the connecting rods> Is the length center to center? (pin to journal).
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 7,739
Likes: 630
From: Unreconstructed, South Carolina
Once you can rotate the motor ... and check deck clearance ... you might also check stroke/verify it has OE 400 3.75" stroke; unlikely but possible it's otherwise. In general, best to KNOW what you've got so you can better determine your best course as you plan for build. G'Luck!
