I wanted to know if it was possible to use a 400CI block in a formula 350 and still be able to use fuel injection. I heard that the 400CI heads fit on the 350 so would the bigger block accept the 350 FI? Ofcourse there would have to be computer programming, but is this a feasible idea, and if it would work would it be worth it?

 

Ya can put any SBC head on any SBC.The 400 is no different than a 327-- except don't forget to drill the coolant holes in the head between cyl's for the 400 block.
Ya could go with aftermarket EFI and controls or put a complete LT1 computer and harness on it.

 

OK great, i have a L98 with about 140k on it and i imagine it wants to be retired soon. Either i am going to stroke it or go "traditional" and use a 400 block with the 350 fuel injection. Considering all the cutting and splicing ill need it may be wise just to go ahead and stroke the L98 and have the cylinders overbored to smooth them out?

 

I forgot to ask but rather than buying another block and having to adapt all my equipment to the 400 block, could the 350 block be reliably bored and stroked to produce 400CI?

 

NO......

If ya want to pay for the work,yes it can be done.

 

Yes you can do it. I have a 406(400 bored .030 over) and use a the factory injection system with bigger injectors and custom tuning.

 

In a 350 block?????
could the 350 block be reliably bored and stroked to produce 400CI?[/QUOTE]
Costs a lot to do that.....

 

no in a 400 block. you cant make a 350 block a 400

 

Gorgeous car wacky, i cant believe it got torn up like that. Right now im going through the same thing, i got hit by a truck and it hit the wheel so steering needs repair as well as my upper frame rail. My email is elementaltoad@hotmail.com i was wondering if you could possibly send me a few tips on that transplant, such as the parts ill need, modification of the 400 block and other things you ran into, thanks!

 

could the 350 block be reliably bored and stroked to produce 400CI?[/QUOTE]


That's what he asked.....
Ya can do it but it takes an aftermarket block though.

 

Yea i wanted to save some money on the upgrade and get the most dispacement. I always liked the thought of having a 400 FI but didnt know that it could be hooked up to my 1988 formy with the regular harness and FI

 

Yes you could do that, but one thing you wanna think about is that the TPI setup is all about torque and lacks power higher up, combine that with the torquey 400 engine, and you have a useless bottom end powerband. If i were to do that i would be thinking about a different intake manifold setup.

 

Amen to that brother, i plan on ditching the TPI as soon as i get the money for a holley stealth ram. Which will then be put atop the whole 400FI combo.im thinking that would be a pretty stout combo?

 

Sounds like a good combo to me. i have a friend that has a 400 with a mild cam, shorty headers and a HSR, T5, and 3.70 gears in a 9 bolt and turns low 12s at the track. Seems to me to be a nice streetable setup and relatively easy to duplicate. Good luck with your build.

I feel compelled to tell you to check out that L98 bottom end b4 ditching it. If its maintained well you could very well have a strong bottom end on your hands. You may be able to just freshen it with a hone, new bearings, polished crank, and some good rod bolts, rings. Think about a setup like that as well, because chances are you could save some money by doing so. Also the L98 has the advantage of being a hydraulic roller whereas you would have to retrofit a 400 to this, which again would cost more money. I would probably do this over the 400 unless your L98 is in poor condition, and the 400 is in immaculate condition. With the money save in doing so you may be able to put that towards a nice set of heads that would really wake your car up.

 

The sad thing is the actual engine itself is in great condition with not mechanical malities to speak of. But the computer is throwing a **** fit on me and my EST is bypassed because it throws my timing into a spasm with the tan/blk wire connected. which is a short wire and goes right to the distributer so its not melted. The only possibility left for me i think is a bad ECU. So ill have to replace it, as the ignition module/cap/rotor and plug wires have all been changed. I had the car running with the EST wire connected when i first got it. ANd it was in the most amazing condition for 140k miles. I could smoke the tires through 1st and 2nd and there are no mods on the car that i know about. Are the stock blocks really that tough? Id love to keep my block if it would be a wise decision for powermaking. I hear the HSR can bump you up to around 300hp posibly more dependant on the engines condition. Thanks for the help on my indecisiveness guys.