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Your car is an 80,in 1980 Detroit was still trying to figure out what to do with smog controlls and horse power.You have a couple of avenues, you can go back 10 years and build a 4 bolt main steel crank 350 with a mechanical cam and a set of camel backs it was called LT-1 and had 370hp. Their are variations that can put out as much as 550 hp. Or you can build a 93-96 LT1 with aluminum heads optispark distibutor electronic injection nodular crank, hyperutectic pistons. 4 bolt for the vert,and 2 bolt on the comaro. Rated at 330, and 300 hp. Variations of that motor can go up to 5 or 600 hp. My self,I would probably go with Late modle LS1 or LS6 engine. You can easily build this motor with 400 hp and still be very riliable, and streeable. I'v built a few hot rods over the years and staying with the newest equipment puts you ahead of the game. Putting a late model computer motor into a early vert is bad butt, and not that dificult. You can get these motors from a number of places. Billy Grams in the south, Peach Street automotive in Grants pass Ore, to name a few. If you are lucky you might find a late modle ZO6 motor. An old vert with new vert parts is happening. Good Luck Have FUN
If you are asking about the 400 Small Block Chevy...like I think you are:)
Easy...add good aftermarket aluminum heads (AFR 195's), 10 to 1 compression, and decent cam (roller even better). You will have 400 bhp or more.
Check out latest Chevy Hi Performance...they have 406 (.030 over bore 400) with EFI and Nitrous...makes >700 torque and over 600 HP! They have done several 400 engine combos in the past...back issues?
Excellent engines even with the 'too short' stock connecting rod.
I also have my mild combo on my 'home' page under 69 Nova if you care to look.
I'd pass on the Eldelbrock heads and carbs, but would consider their intakes. On my last engine, I swapped out my camel backs for the RPM heads, and was disappointed with the RPM heads. I didn't really notice a significant differance. Like someone earlier mentioned, go with AFR heads (195 or 210's).You'll pay a little more, but get a lot more power.
Getting 400 hp out of a 400 isn't that hard. Flat top pistons, 220 duration @.050 cam, Afr heads, rpm intake, 750 holley, 1 3/4 headers, should be a easy 440 hp and close to 500 tq. That's similar to my combo.