Engine Bulders - Help with 406sb parts selection
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,306
Likes: 36
From: Allen Park Mi
Engine Bulders - Help with 406sb parts selection
So I'm collecting parts for a 406 for my 71 LT1 clone -
here is what I have - a 509 standard bore block, the stock nodular crank,
a set of 5.7 Pink Rods from a real LT1 (which I'm not sure I can use because of the journal size)
heads will be a set of 186 with the steam holes drilled, with a port matched LT1/Z28 intake
I'll running a Holley Sniper FI setup on this motor.
I have both a NOS LT1 cam and a NOS 30/30 cam and would like to use one of the two.
Trans ia TKO600 - and 3.70 out back.
I will have NO plans to race this car - just want a solid running and reliable 400 cube small block that might see 6k from time to time (getting on the free way and such)
I'm not really looking to drop HUGE $$ on this build, but I will splurge where I have too.
I know there can be cam/rod issues in some instances - with 5.7 or 6" rods - but I don't know enough about what can be used in this configuration - and before I go into my machine shop, I'd like to have some idea of what can work and what won't work
thanks in advance.
here is what I have - a 509 standard bore block, the stock nodular crank,
a set of 5.7 Pink Rods from a real LT1 (which I'm not sure I can use because of the journal size)
heads will be a set of 186 with the steam holes drilled, with a port matched LT1/Z28 intake
I'll running a Holley Sniper FI setup on this motor.
I have both a NOS LT1 cam and a NOS 30/30 cam and would like to use one of the two.
Trans ia TKO600 - and 3.70 out back.
I will have NO plans to race this car - just want a solid running and reliable 400 cube small block that might see 6k from time to time (getting on the free way and such)
I'm not really looking to drop HUGE $$ on this build, but I will splurge where I have too.
I know there can be cam/rod issues in some instances - with 5.7 or 6" rods - but I don't know enough about what can be used in this configuration - and before I go into my machine shop, I'd like to have some idea of what can work and what won't work
thanks in advance.
Dr. Detroit
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 10,097
Likes: 4,027
From: New Braunfels Texas
Toss the rods and buy Eagle SIR rods.......the difference between the 5.700 and the 6.00 rod for a street engine is minimal.....pick the 6.00 if starting from scratch. The Eagle rod has the cam clearance built in....and are about 4x stronger than a pink rod....and about $200 for the set.
If you are stuck on the cams....use the LT-1 and team it with 1.6 rockers.
Also toss the heads as they are WAY too small for anything but a stock build. I run Dart 200 Pro 1's.....the differance between these heads and any GM head is staggering. Spend money here or forget about building a 406 and just build the 350 it came with as it will just be a truck engine with the GM heads bolted to it.
Use Wiseco Pro-Tru pistons.......build it for 10.5 to 1......a modern fast burn head like the Dart loves this.
The intake is a solid piece......GM spent a lot developing it and bolted everyone of them to garbage heads. The intake will support what you are doing.....but mill the center down a bit.....1 1/2" will work well.
Run a 1 3/4" header....long tube.
Jebby
If you are stuck on the cams....use the LT-1 and team it with 1.6 rockers.
Also toss the heads as they are WAY too small for anything but a stock build. I run Dart 200 Pro 1's.....the differance between these heads and any GM head is staggering. Spend money here or forget about building a 406 and just build the 350 it came with as it will just be a truck engine with the GM heads bolted to it.
Use Wiseco Pro-Tru pistons.......build it for 10.5 to 1......a modern fast burn head like the Dart loves this.
The intake is a solid piece......GM spent a lot developing it and bolted everyone of them to garbage heads. The intake will support what you are doing.....but mill the center down a bit.....1 1/2" will work well.
Run a 1 3/4" header....long tube.
Jebby
Last edited by Jebbysan; Aug 6, 2020 at 10:12 AM.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,306
Likes: 36
From: Allen Park Mi
Toss the rods and buy Eagle SIR rods.......the difference between the 5.700 and the 6.00 rod for a street engine is minimal.....pick the 6.00 if starting from scratch. The Eagle rod has the cam clearance built in....and are about 4x stronger than a pink rod....and about $200 for the set.
If you are stuck on the cams....use the LT-1 and team it with 1.6 rockers.
Also toss the heads as they are WAY too small for anything but a stock build. I run Dart 200 Pro 1's.....the differance between these heads and any GM head is staggering. Spend money here or forget about building a 406 and just build the 350 it came with as it will just be a truck engine with the GM heads bolted to it.
Use Wiseco Pro-Tru pistons.......build it for 10.5 to 1......a modern fast burn head like the Dart loves this.
The intake is a solid piece......GM spent a lot developing it and bolted everyone of them to garbage heads. The intake will support what you are doing.....but mill the center down a bit.....1 1/2" will work well.
Run a 1 3/4" header....long tube.
Jebby
If you are stuck on the cams....use the LT-1 and team it with 1.6 rockers.
Also toss the heads as they are WAY too small for anything but a stock build. I run Dart 200 Pro 1's.....the differance between these heads and any GM head is staggering. Spend money here or forget about building a 406 and just build the 350 it came with as it will just be a truck engine with the GM heads bolted to it.
Use Wiseco Pro-Tru pistons.......build it for 10.5 to 1......a modern fast burn head like the Dart loves this.
The intake is a solid piece......GM spent a lot developing it and bolted everyone of them to garbage heads. The intake will support what you are doing.....but mill the center down a bit.....1 1/2" will work well.
Run a 1 3/4" header....long tube.
Jebby
are you st all familiar with the new TrickFlow DHC heads? Aluminum castings, look like 461s or 186s
they are what Id like to run
https://www.trickflow.com/search/pro...lock-chevrolet
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,306
Likes: 36
From: Allen Park Mi
Dr. Detroit
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 10,097
Likes: 4,027
From: New Braunfels Texas
