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BluePrint 400 - Anyone Running One?

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Old Sep 21, 2020 | 02:32 PM
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Default BluePrint 400 - Anyone Running One?

Hi guys,

Putting together my list of Winter to-do's, and I'm seriously considering an upgrade in the performance department. My current 350 with Vortec heads and XE268 cam runs great and is a lot of fun, but I think it's time for some more power.

Is anyone running Blueprint's 400CI? https://blueprintengines.com/product...tor-bp4002ctc1

The car in question is a 79, and this will be mated to the T56 that is currently in the car. I'm planning to re-use the current serpentine set up, accessories, Dewitts radiator, etc. and will throw a new clutch in while i'm at it.

I like the appeal of the fully dressed long block, which leads to a couple questions...

1. Is anyone running their 400? I see lots of 350/383 combos on the forum, but haven't come across many (or any) c3s running their 400.

2. Any clearance issues under the stock hood (appears to be a standard dual plane manifold)?

3. Does anyone want to talk me out of the 400, in favor of one of their 383 long blocks?

Thanks in advance and I appreciate the guidance guys.

Last edited by CColosimo; Sep 21, 2020 at 02:34 PM.
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Old Sep 21, 2020 | 03:39 PM
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400 over the 383 all day long, no question! Big block torque in a sb package youll love it.

Last edited by cv67; Sep 21, 2020 at 07:59 PM.
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Old Sep 21, 2020 | 04:27 PM
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I currently have a 383sbc. When the time comes, it will be a 400 based engine. I'll probably do something like this though. Just something about saying I have a 427.

AS long as it's built right, there are only positives when you add 20 cubic inches with no more stroke.

https://www.skipwhiteperformance.com...-engine_91884/

Last edited by jimco84x; Sep 21, 2020 at 04:29 PM.
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Old Sep 21, 2020 | 04:37 PM
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pro: That's a New block, not reman
con: intake looks rather tall for C3; brand part number not stated: suggest ask BP in writing how/what fits

400's bigger bore allows any head to breathe better than on a smaller bore (350/383).
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Old Sep 21, 2020 | 05:12 PM
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Originally Posted by cv67
My god thats a long winded ad fell asleep 3x
, skippy snakeoyl's stuff is so good it'll cure world hunger
he can write a trilogy on just his pushrods.
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Old Sep 21, 2020 | 05:31 PM
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Love how he harps on china no name stuff, what are his heads and hardware? LOL
Those long ads honestly are a turn off. If you got a good product word gets around
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Old Sep 21, 2020 | 07:47 PM
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OMG! 400 all day long!!!!

The 383 is all hype unless built for max power over a similar built 355......400 is BB TQ from a SBC which is the real deal, not hype.

Last edited by jb78L-82; Sep 21, 2020 at 07:47 PM.
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Old Sep 21, 2020 | 08:31 PM
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I have thr Blueprint 383 and love it. Great engine. But if i had to do it over I’d get the 396 or 400 for a little more.
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Old Sep 22, 2020 | 07:49 AM
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There is no substitute for cubic inches.
It is difficult to explain how much better the large bore 400/406 runs compared to a small bore 355/383. Think of the difference between a 6.0 LS and a 5.3.

Jebby
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Old Sep 22, 2020 | 01:12 PM
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There's no substitute for cubic inches. Build (or buy) the biggest motor you can afford. I had a 350. Replaced that with a 383. Good motor. Blew that up and replaced it with a 427. Fantastic motor!! Absolutely love it! Now I see they have a 454 small block. I can't keep up.
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Old Sep 22, 2020 | 01:44 PM
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Originally Posted by drwet
There's no substitute for cubic inches. Build (or buy) the biggest motor you can afford. I had a 350. Replaced that with a 383. Good motor. Blew that up and replaced it with a 427. Fantastic motor!! Absolutely love it! Now I see they have a 454 small block. I can't keep up.
600" sbc
http://www.cferacing.com/
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Old Sep 22, 2020 | 02:28 PM
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IMO, go with a 421 with a Dart SHP Block if you are going to go 400. I think you will be more than happy as you carry the wheels a bit with an auto and 4,000 9.5" TC and 4.10 gear. My friends Camaro runs 10.50 constantly with his 421, WITH full exhaust and mufflers on it. A very quiet sleeper.
BTW Ron, Edelbrock still has NOT given me a quote on the pours and I think I'm DONE with them.
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Old Sep 22, 2020 | 02:52 PM
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Originally Posted by 71chimera
Wow!! Couldn't get much information off their website but I'm pretty sure that's beyond the point of diminishing returns for a street motor. I have about $7500US in my motor and I think that's pretty reasonable considering its all quality parts. Dart block, forged Scat crank and rods, AFR heads, billet roller cam, roller rockers. The block can be bored .060" over which yields 440 cu ins. but I'd much rather say I have a 427 than a 440
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Old Sep 22, 2020 | 02:59 PM
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Originally Posted by Buccaneer
IMO, go with a 421 with a Dart SHP Block if you are going to go 400. I think you will be more than happy as you carry the wheels a bit with an auto and 4,000 9.5" TC and 4.10 gear. My friends Camaro runs 10.50 constantly with his 421, WITH full exhaust and mufflers on it. A very quiet sleeper.
BTW Ron, Edelbrock still has NOT given me a quote on the pours and I think I'm DONE with them.
How does one build a 421? A 427 is a 400 block ( 4 1/8" bore ) with a 4" stroke. If you use a 400 block you need a 3.91" stroke to arrive at 421 CID. Seems like an odd number. Educate me please.
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Old Sep 22, 2020 | 04:16 PM
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Originally Posted by drwet
How does one build a 421? A 427 is a 400 block ( 4 1/8" bore ) with a 4" stroke. If you use a 400 block you need a 3.91" stroke to arrive at 421 CID. Seems like an odd number. Educate me please.
4.155" bore with a 3.875" stroke.
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Old Sep 22, 2020 | 04:54 PM
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Thanks guys. All this info gives me good direction and plenty to think about. My next step will be to contact BluePrint and gather some more info from them. I'm specifically interested in a PN for their intake. Would hate to buy a dressed long block, only to find that the intake is too tall for hood clearance.

For good measure, I will also be calling a couple of local speed shops to see what the general cost is for a fully dressed motor. My guess is the cost will be higher, but may cancel out shipping.

I know of a few, but if anyone has any builder recommendations in New England, i'm all ears.

Last edited by CColosimo; Sep 22, 2020 at 04:54 PM.
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Old Sep 22, 2020 | 05:07 PM
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How does one build a 421? A 427 is a 400 block ( 4 1/8" bore ) with a 4" stroke. If you use a 400 block you need a 3.91" stroke to arrive at 421 CID. Seems like an odd number. Educate me please.
Originally Posted by Sigforty
4.155" bore with a 3.875" stroke.
^^^THIS^^^ On how to build a 421 cubic inch SBC. This is why I suggested using a Dart SHP block. It really is a sweet running motor at around 700HP, 600Torq with a .700" cam and a 950CFM Holley. Google it, there are plenty of 421s to research on. Google is your friend.

As a matter of fact, my next build will be a 421 CFI motor. I have to validate the fueling, but I think I have it figured out on how to do it and get around 950cfm and it will be ALL crossfire injection. Should be rather impressive for a CF motor.

Last edited by Buccaneer; Sep 22, 2020 at 05:17 PM.
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To BluePrint 400 - Anyone Running One?

Old Sep 22, 2020 | 06:21 PM
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dart has a newer block (M2)
https://dartheads.com/little-m2-blocks/
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Old Sep 22, 2020 | 09:00 PM
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Originally Posted by CColosimo
Thanks guys. All this info gives me good direction and plenty to think about. My next step will be to contact BluePrint and gather some more info from them. I'm specifically interested in a PN for their intake. Would hate to buy a dressed long block, only to find that the intake is too tall for hood clearance.

For good measure, I will also be calling a couple of local speed shops to see what the general cost is for a fully dressed motor. My guess is the cost will be higher, but may cancel out shipping.

I know of a few, but if anyone has any builder recommendations in New England, i'm all ears.
Richie zul in new York or lee edwards in Calverton Virginia
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Old Sep 22, 2020 | 09:25 PM
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I have BluePrints roller 383 and its a monster! The 400 has to be unreal. I'm very happy w/ BluePrint
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