I'm casually shopping for a short block that I can buy and build a street tire shredder ....no charger. I might add nitrous down the road.

Going for big Cubic inches as a base with forged bottom end. Undecided on heads as of now, but am going to stay EFI.

Looking at 2 blocks now that can be had.....this is a long term project so its not an emergency..... Yet. (I'll end up selling a kidney to complete it, most likely..)

A. 396 sbc 70s vintage 2 bolt main for $150. It will be stripped and checked.

OR

B. 400 sbc 1970s with a 4 bolt main asking $250. Same deal, strip it and build accordingly.

Would like to stay roller/hydro. Going to keep comp 11 or under to be practical. I DO want to get as much as I can out of a natural aspirated build though...
Gas is only going to get worse. I do NOT want to fill up at the airport. use to be able to do that yrs ago at private airports...not any more.

What do the expert builders think? Which would be a better base for a bad-*** street motor? No plans for the track, just want to scare small cars and offend Prius owners.... paint the street black, in other words. Tires are easy,. however, FUN isn't. I want the guy in the Frieghtliner to look around and say....wut wuz-zat?

Thoughts and suggestions on a block and what you'd look for...

TIA

 

You should talk to TPI421VETTE. Jim built my 396. Mine has forged internals, 4 bolt main and 1 piece rear seal. I'm very happy with the results.

 

The 396 bbc is a boat anchor for anything but a resto.

The 400 sbc is a good base for a street engine up to about 500hp. Beyond that the blocks are marginal and you end up with a lot of $$$$ invested in a potential grenade. It will require retro fit roller lifters. Howards Cams thru Competition Products offers the best price on them. It will also require a 2pc flywheel. If you reuse the stock GM crank it will need externally balajced FW and balancer... FYI the factory 8 inch balancer wont clear the Y Body crossmember without some torch/hammering work but there are aftermarket balancers that work like the Pro Race balancer.
Will

 

The 400 is the way to go. Kevin Norris of Norris custom engines in Bainbridge Island, WA just ran a 9.97 with a 400 block, and 4.125 stroke crank in an 85 on street tires. (206) 842-2365

Honestly, don't ask for 600 hp unless that's what you want! His dyno'd at 680+. This will mean getting rid of the TPI intake design, and he can modify the Stealthram so you can close your stock hood.

 

The 70s 396 is a big block. If you are going through the difficulty of installing a big block, get one that will outperform a built small block. Get 500+ cubes which will give you effortless hp and torque and reliability on pump gas. You might have to sell both kidneys and half a liver.

 

I would start with a hyd roller block. Either factory or aftermarket. Then there is no need to use retrofit lifters. If it's in the budget, a Dart SHP block will allow big cubes and still uses the factory hyd roller set up. I would definitely use use something that allows a roller cam over a flat tappet cam set up. You can build a 396 or even a 409 based off a 350 block. Or with a 400 based block you can build a 421/427/434 or beyond.

 

I'm not 100% sure on that one....its listed as a SBC but it says 70s out of a chevelle...not an SS. I assume that was the 2 bolt "tame" version. Looking at Chevelle history...the 396 ended in the 2nd gen in 1970. There were several 396 versions available up to that time. Who knows which, what or even IF this one is a genuine Chevelle 396. Think I'll pass on this one....
The 400 seems like the right choice as tpi 421 says....lots of options when you start with a 400 block....no place to go but UP.

A BBC is out of the question. It would be nice, but I'm nowhere near willing to put myself thru a 2 yr build project. I'd like to actually drive it before I take the dirt nap..

hell...I'll have looked at 20 potential engines before buying one I like the looks of...this is a marathon deal, not a sprint.

Thanks for the input guys...


Like Ahhhnald said...

I'll be bach.....

 

If your going with a 400 based engine, I would highly recommend something like the Dart SHP if it's in your budget. You can build the 421/427/434, but it's set up for the hyd roller unlike the old GM 400 block. And it's much stronger, and you can use the factory GM hyd roller lifters, and hold down parts.

 

I Agree for all the same reasons...
My album
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/memb...tor-33460.html

Mine is just a standard bore 400 Dart SHP. If I would have had more in the budget it would have been a 421

 

The Chevy 396 of 70's vintage was definitely a big block motor. The 400 was a small block.