400 small block
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
From: Sault Ste Marie Mi
400 small block
I'm starting a build on a 400 small block and would like some input on cams, heads, pistons, cranks or whatever anyone has advice on or experience with. I would like a setup for street in the 400-450 hp range with matching torque. Also would like carb size info. Thanks, :p:
Race Director
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 10,258
Likes: 1
From: Calif.
Re: 400 small block (Mighty Mouse)
I'm starting a build on a 400 small block and would like some input on cams, heads, pistons, cranks or whatever anyone has advice on or experience with. I would like a setup for street in the 400-450 hp range with matching torque. Also would like carb size info. Thanks, :p:
Heads = Dart Pro 1 (200/210/215 c.c.)
Pistons = Forged flat-tops like SRP 138100.
Rods/Crank = Eagle.
Carb = Q-Jet/750-800 Holley.
That'll be $250.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 3,600
Likes: 170
From: Toronto, Canada
Re: 400 small block (The Dude)
Does the car have a manual or auto tranny?
I would look for a cam with short duration and high lift with fast ramps. A 400ci can tolerate more cam than a a 350ci, but as suggested somewhere around 230-235 @ .050 will work nicely.
No need for a forged crank, a good Scat 9000 or Eagle will suffice for your goals.
:cheers:
I would look for a cam with short duration and high lift with fast ramps. A 400ci can tolerate more cam than a a 350ci, but as suggested somewhere around 230-235 @ .050 will work nicely.
No need for a forged crank, a good Scat 9000 or Eagle will suffice for your goals.
:cheers:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 7,562
Likes: 9
From: B'Ville NY
Cruise-In III Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05
Re: 400 small block (95vettski)
Here's a thread that going on right now in the C3 section, my be worth checking out before you get too deep into your buildup.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=308755
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=308755
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,033
Likes: 0
From: Tracy California
St. Jude Donor '05
Re: 400 small block (Mighty Mouse)
Mighty Mouse
I ran a 406 in my 88 last year. My combo used Canfield 195cc heads with additional porting. I used the CompCam XE268 flat hydraulic 224/230 @ .050 with 1.6 RR's. My compression was 10.1
That engine made a Hell of a lot torque! I bet it had to be around 500# or more. The little cam idled great and the engine never stalled on me. But If I had to do it over again I'd go with a bigger cam and way bigger heads. The motor was done pulling by 5200RPM or so. The power band was ideal since I was using OEM 5.7's, crank etc.. parts in the bottom end.
I never really tried to max it out in the 1/4 because I couldn't stop the dam thing from leaking oil. But the few times I did run it, it would pull Z06's in the first 60' and they'd never catch up.
I ran a 12.50 witthout dumping the clutch and granny shifting 3-4th. I felt that the engine was not breathing adequately through the M.A.F. and would have done way better with a DFI.
I also did some track testing of various parts! email me if you'd like more info.
KM
I ran a 406 in my 88 last year. My combo used Canfield 195cc heads with additional porting. I used the CompCam XE268 flat hydraulic 224/230 @ .050 with 1.6 RR's. My compression was 10.1
That engine made a Hell of a lot torque! I bet it had to be around 500# or more. The little cam idled great and the engine never stalled on me. But If I had to do it over again I'd go with a bigger cam and way bigger heads. The motor was done pulling by 5200RPM or so. The power band was ideal since I was using OEM 5.7's, crank etc.. parts in the bottom end.
I never really tried to max it out in the 1/4 because I couldn't stop the dam thing from leaking oil. But the few times I did run it, it would pull Z06's in the first 60' and they'd never catch up.
I ran a 12.50 witthout dumping the clutch and granny shifting 3-4th. I felt that the engine was not breathing adequately through the M.A.F. and would have done way better with a DFI.
I also did some track testing of various parts! email me if you'd like more info.
KM
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,033
Likes: 0
From: Tracy California
St. Jude Donor '05
Re: 400 small block (CORKVETTE1)
Corvette1
Your car is impressive! No doubt about it... I don't know what the hell was wrong with my 406, but it just wouldn't run the MPH for me. It seemed like everytime I did a induction Mod, it dropped ET and gained very little speed.
Perhaps if it wasn't leaking all the time I would've kept tunning on it. The last time I ran it, it spit out the complete seal behind the dampner. How and why it did that, I will never know. That seal had been replaced 3 times with two different covers. My paitence had reached the end. LeakZilla was retired and eventually sold.
Who did your chip? I wonder if mine was just to conservative?
KM
Your car is impressive! No doubt about it... I don't know what the hell was wrong with my 406, but it just wouldn't run the MPH for me. It seemed like everytime I did a induction Mod, it dropped ET and gained very little speed.
Perhaps if it wasn't leaking all the time I would've kept tunning on it. The last time I ran it, it spit out the complete seal behind the dampner. How and why it did that, I will never know. That seal had been replaced 3 times with two different covers. My paitence had reached the end. LeakZilla was retired and eventually sold.
Who did your chip? I wonder if mine was just to conservative?
KM
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 3,099
Likes: 0
From: PITTSBURGH PA
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In V Veteran
Re: 400 small block (88-406)
i was running a stock chip for a while then i went to formato i do not think i gained much performance other than better idle and more mpg :)
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