Need help with the 400 small block
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 583
Likes: 0
From: Maple Grove Minnesota
Need help with the 400 small block
I need some help with the 400 I purchased last fall. It has a comp cam 230/230 @50 480 lift, new crank, rods, and Keith Black Hypereutectic (stock bore) flat top pistons. I’m wondering if this is too much cam for a daily driver.
I have a ZZ4 cam I can put in it with LT4 springs if this would be better for a DD? I would like to reuse the 113 heads instead of the 400’s heavy stock 997’s or would the 997 be better?
If I put the ZZ4 cam in and the 113 heads will there be anything else I need to do? Will one of the push rod sets still work?
This is new territory for me so please bear with me. Which way should I go? Advice desperately needed. Thanks!
Also if I go with the ZZ4 cam I need to get keepers and shims. Is item #19171528 & 102112809 from Scoggin-Dickey the correct ones?
I have a ZZ4 cam I can put in it with LT4 springs if this would be better for a DD? I would like to reuse the 113 heads instead of the 400’s heavy stock 997’s or would the 997 be better?
If I put the ZZ4 cam in and the 113 heads will there be anything else I need to do? Will one of the push rod sets still work?
This is new territory for me so please bear with me. Which way should I go? Advice desperately needed. Thanks!
Also if I go with the ZZ4 cam I need to get keepers and shims. Is item #19171528 & 102112809 from Scoggin-Dickey the correct ones?
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 4,154
Likes: 553
From: Glenbeulah Wi
You need to spend some time determining what you need to make sure this project is a success. The issues you have are listed below:
-Flat top 400 pistons with the alum 113 heads will be 12:1 compression which will not work, you need to use larger cc heads or change the pistons to get to 10.5:1 compression
-The flat tappet cam you listed will work OK as a daily driver but it may be rougher then what you want.
-The ZZ-4 cam will be very smooth but it is small for a 400 and it is a hyd roller and will require retro fit rollers and a cam button to work correctly.
-The heads need the correct valve springs and retainers to work with the cam.
-You need to make sure the heads you choose have the 400 steam holes added to them
-The push rods need to be picked once you choose the cam you will run
-Flat top 400 pistons with the alum 113 heads will be 12:1 compression which will not work, you need to use larger cc heads or change the pistons to get to 10.5:1 compression
-The flat tappet cam you listed will work OK as a daily driver but it may be rougher then what you want.
-The ZZ-4 cam will be very smooth but it is small for a 400 and it is a hyd roller and will require retro fit rollers and a cam button to work correctly.
-The heads need the correct valve springs and retainers to work with the cam.
-You need to make sure the heads you choose have the 400 steam holes added to them
-The push rods need to be picked once you choose the cam you will run
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 170
Likes: 24
The best thing you can honestly do is identify a combo that is out there in this CI range with PROVEN results and copy it to a T.
Items like PR lengths and other critical components need to be verified on EVERY build regardless due to the fact every engine is slightly different. Overlooking something like PR length could sacrifice performance or worst yet the motor.
If you search back on my buildups I had a 406CI motor that ran bottom 11.0s and would be the one the I would copy if your in the stages of identifying a proven combo.
Items like PR lengths and other critical components need to be verified on EVERY build regardless due to the fact every engine is slightly different. Overlooking something like PR length could sacrifice performance or worst yet the motor.
If you search back on my buildups I had a 406CI motor that ran bottom 11.0s and would be the one the I would copy if your in the stages of identifying a proven combo.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 493
Likes: 0
From: Eden Utah
I have AFR 195 heads on my 400, mini ram and the cam is a Crower 236-240 with 559 - 550 lift with a LSA of 110. The car idles at 8/900 and I find it to be very streetable. If you have the right heads this cam makes torque between 3000 and 5500 and is as flat as a pancake. The RWHP is at 380.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 5,270
Likes: 3
From: Seattle Area WA
You need to spend some time determining what you need to make sure this project is a success. The issues you have are listed below:
-Flat top 400 pistons with the alum 113 heads will be 12:1 compression which will not work, you need to use larger cc heads or change the pistons to get to 10.5:1 compression
-The flat tappet cam you listed will work OK as a daily driver but it may be rougher then what you want.
-The ZZ-4 cam will be very smooth but it is small for a 400 and it is a hyd roller and will require retro fit rollers and a cam button to work correctly.
-The heads need the correct valve springs and retainers to work with the cam.
-You need to make sure the heads you choose have the 400 steam holes added to them
-The push rods need to be picked once you choose the cam you will run
-Flat top 400 pistons with the alum 113 heads will be 12:1 compression which will not work, you need to use larger cc heads or change the pistons to get to 10.5:1 compression
-The flat tappet cam you listed will work OK as a daily driver but it may be rougher then what you want.
-The ZZ-4 cam will be very smooth but it is small for a 400 and it is a hyd roller and will require retro fit rollers and a cam button to work correctly.
-The heads need the correct valve springs and retainers to work with the cam.
-You need to make sure the heads you choose have the 400 steam holes added to them
-The push rods need to be picked once you choose the cam you will run
He knows his stuff.With the block, if you have it apart, I believe you can drill and tap and grind in the valley some to retrofit in the spider for stock style roller lifters. Something to look into if this isn't assembled yet.
