Which 400?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 136
Likes: 0
From: Hillsborough North Carolina
Which 400?
Hello everyone!! I am reasonably new to the forum and already have questions for you. I am considering building a 406 for my '81 Corvette. This will be a street car that will probably see it's share of abuse....I mean spirited driving :-) Anyway, I am currently looking at 2 different 400 engines. Both are at a salvage yard,appear stock(unmolested), have 2 bolt mains,and are complete from intake to oil pan. One is a "817" casting, the other is a "511". Is there any benefit to one of these over the other? They are both the same price and guaranteed not to be cracked or otherwised damaged.
Also, what is your opinions on camshaft selection for this size engine? It will probably be an iron head,9.0 -to- 10.0 :1, pump gas ,street engine which may in the future see alittle nitrous.
Any info would be greatly appreciated.
Mike
Also, what is your opinions on camshaft selection for this size engine? It will probably be an iron head,9.0 -to- 10.0 :1, pump gas ,street engine which may in the future see alittle nitrous.
Any info would be greatly appreciated.
Mike
Race Director
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 10,258
Likes: 1
From: Calif.
Re: Which 400? (piratemike)
I understand the '509 and '511 castings have a better chance of being the high alloy "10/20"-style blocks.
What does that mean? Probably nothing from an end-user standpoint.
I will suggest, however, that you buy both of them if you can possibly swing it. Unbored, 2-bolt 400s are getting harder and harder to find. There are guys around here getting $275 for bare blocks (!).
Build one and bank one. Couldn't hurt and you may be better off in the long run.
What does that mean? Probably nothing from an end-user standpoint.
I will suggest, however, that you buy both of them if you can possibly swing it. Unbored, 2-bolt 400s are getting harder and harder to find. There are guys around here getting $275 for bare blocks (!).
Build one and bank one. Couldn't hurt and you may be better off in the long run.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 3,215
Likes: 6
From: Tampa Florida
Re: Which 400? (piratemike)
I have a 511 and it is just fine so don't have anything to say about which one to get (easiest to get to???)
I ran 280 CC hydraulic in my 9.9 to 1 406. It was a very tractable cam with idle vacuum of 13.5 with a 750 Holley, Victor Jr., 1.6 ratio rockers, and 041 heads. I have more info on my "homepage" under Nova.
Also note I used the stock 5.565 rods with 2352 Speed Pro forged pistons. Real economical way to go (pistons cost me 200 bucks). Still ran it to 6500 rpm on many occasion but mainly used 6000 for shift point.
Good Luck!
I ran 280 CC hydraulic in my 9.9 to 1 406. It was a very tractable cam with idle vacuum of 13.5 with a 750 Holley, Victor Jr., 1.6 ratio rockers, and 041 heads. I have more info on my "homepage" under Nova.
Also note I used the stock 5.565 rods with 2352 Speed Pro forged pistons. Real economical way to go (pistons cost me 200 bucks). Still ran it to 6500 rpm on many occasion but mainly used 6000 for shift point.
Good Luck!
