I know nothing about engines, except for how to dissasemble and reassemble them. when it comes to making decisions as to what works and whats best, i've got no clue.
I've got access to a runner 400 small block that i want to someday rebuild for my camaro project. I want to make somewhere around 500+ horse (at the flywheel) without ANY power adders, on a budget, and ON PUMP GAS!!!
I am well aware of the infamous steam holes on the 400 heads, and how they need to be drilled into any aftermarket (or stock 350) heads.
what are your thoughts? i plan to run long tube headers (1 5/8" primaries), bullet style mufflers, and side exit exhaust. I also plan on a 4" cowl hood to clear anything that may stick up too high.
no power adders small block making 500hp on pump gas...
real easy if that pump is labled e85 , if your in Mass your in luck 3 or 4 stations mostly around Boston any other new england states your driving to Mass unfortunately
e85 can support up around 13.5/ 14 to 1 compression BTW and e98 can support close to 19 to 1
many race cars and street cars in parts of the country where its more available doing the switch since you can make more power on 85 than c16/116 octane race fuel thats approx. $10 a gallon when e85 is under $3.00 a gallon , it will get about 30% less fuel economy than pump gas but also cost 30-40% less than pump premium making it a wash or thereabouts.
you will need an e85 specific carb or larger injectors if you go efi and more fuel delivery capability from pump and possibly lines depending on what you have in place
before you discount this notion search e85 on you tube or street fire and check what some racers are getting for results , read thru comments too.
stay away from the vids trying to cause fear of it , thats just because big oil hasnt found a way to pump alcohol out of he ground in the middle east yet lol
The problem with e85, is its availability to me. I can get cam2 right up the street, but like you mentioned, its on the pricey side.
I'd really like to keep this a "pump gas" build as it may never see the track. I plan to beat this car like it owes me money (within reason, of course).
I just want something that sounds incredible, and has some sack to back it up, when need be. The main people I will be cruising around with don't really run anything too substantial. A very mild bbc cutlass(now with nawwwwzzzzz), a miniblown small block camaro, a semi aggressive 360 coronet, and MAYBE Brian(heard his ride was back together).
The car will have a locked 31 spline disc brake 4.10 8.8 with mini ladderbars and drag coilovers, drag struts with trick springs up front, an 8 point cage, and a completly custom subframe connector setup. I also plan to run a stalled 700r4 with a shift kit, 1-2 servo upgrade, a fresh set of clutches, and a ratchet shifter.
you dont need to drill the heads for the steam holes on a 400 ive been running a 400 with no steam holes in the heads for 14 years never had any head gasket problems ever thats a mith
Really Brian? Everywhere I've looked says they need to be drilled and they reccomend different sized holes depending on your build.
There's gotta be some benefit from having them drilled, and sense the heads I choose will probably end up in a machine shop anyway, why not have them done?
i ran 202 fuelies an never had them done and now run dart pro 1 heads an never had a problem i personally dont know anyone who has ever drilled the heads for that you can if you want but woundnt waist your time or money
the stock 400 blocks will handle up to about 650 - 700 hp and then thats it so if you want to expand at a later date you would have to plan accordingly. first start off with a set of heads and plan around them. obviously a set of 23* will do just fine. a set of 215 - 220 cc heads will work nice. afr's or darts are good. these profilers are also getting great reviews over on yellow bullit. these are a ported set http://www.speierracingheads.com/profilerecono.htm there is a link for a pump gas 412 sbc. i bought my intake off of chad spier and he is a well regarded head porter and his prices are reasonable. he can suggest a cam for this since the flow #'s will dictate what will work. as far as an intake goes an edelbrock victor jr. or maybe a super victor will fit the bill. even a holley strip dominator is a very nice piece. remember though that when buying a head for a pump gas engine keep the combustion chamber small like 64 cc's so you can run a flat top piston, achieve 10.5 - 11.0 for compression and not detonate. i would call pro systems for a carb. he will set one up for your car that will be great, minor tuning only out of the box and nott too much more than a off the shelf holley. you can use an eagle crank and rod set up for the bottom end. over seas forgings but machined over here. if you go with a callies crank and carrillo rods it will be big $$ and you won't need it. run at least a 6.0" rod, a bunch of off the shelf pistons to choose from with that you will need a set of 1 3/4" or 1 7/8" primary headers and run 3" exhaust. there are always used lemons headers for sale on racingjunk.com and yellowbullet.com for small blocks for 1/2 price and they fit like a glove. use a msd distributor and spark box and you will be good to go. will be a fun combo to drive around with. good luck.
i rember reading about that a while back. they say your better off with a 2 bolt block and converting it to splayed 4 bolt main caps over the factory 4 bolt mains. i had a 422 that was based on a stock 400 4 bolt block but it was only putting out about 600 hp.