I am putting a 434CI in my 1997 Camaro. I have been hearing that the stock 400 blocks are not going to hold up to a 4" crank. They say that the cylinder wall will break down.(too thin). I just don't want to put all the good stuff in the short block if its just going to blow apart. So my question is can I get by with the stock 400 block, or do I need to get an aftermarket block.

Thanks in Advance.
Shaun.

 

What are your power goals? How do you plan to get there (NA, nitrous, blower, ??). That sorta determines things.

 

I hope you got some very good heads for that 434. Otherwise you would be better off building a 406. If your gonna build a 434 use an aftermarket block.

 

So far my set up is AFR 210cc competition heads, AFR super comp intake port matched to the heads. 950 double pumper 4150hp. Crank trigger dist. electric water pump. comp cam .630 .630 duration is at .50 252 258 lobe sep. is 106 solid roller. compression ratio is 12.2:1 JE pistons Eagle 4340 4.000 crank Eagle 4340 H-Beam rods 6.0

 

Look at the current issue of Hot Rod. It should be easy to find. I think there are 4 different cover cars and girls. Anyway, they did a 450 SBC with heads not unlike yours, but low compression. The article is pretty good, as are the sidebars. Oh, yeah, don't forget to vote.

What rpm are you looking at for power peak. Your cam sounds pretty big to me. Is that to make up for the relatively small port size (for a 434)?

My $.02

 

Big inch small Blocks need lots of air. With those heads you would make more power with a 406. Since you already have the 4 in crank I would get an aftermarket block and a really good set of heads

 

Ok I have swaped my crank out with a 3.750 4340 crank from Eagle. Im looking for peak power about 7200 rpm's.

 

No flame intended, but IMO, 210 AFRs on a 406 (4.155 x 3.75)aren't going to peak power at 7200. Maybe 800-1000 rpm lower. What happened to your original 434? That should peak at 6 or maybe less.

Why would you want to spin a stock block 406 (or over) that fast?

 

I'm confused:

From initial post in this thread (11-04-2003):
From above (11-05-2003):
From a post on "LT1 Tech" (11-04-2003):
From a post on "...For Sale" (10-28-2003 & 11-02-2003) :
What the hell are you doing?

 

I have had so many people tell me that my 434 is going to come apart, because of the weak blocks. So I have had to change my plans, Take back some parts, and waste a lot of money. I have never had a 400 block so Im not sure where the power band is going to come in and fall off. Iam Use to my 383 peaking out at 6300. My 383 put down 422hp and 419tq. Never had the chance to hit the bottle on the dyno. Iam looking to get closer to 500hp N/A. That is my goal with this set up. Just tryin to put a good combo together.

 

Jus stay w/ the 406. I am currently in the same process you are in. I had a 406 in my 81 chevy luv and Luv'd it. Had a massive amount of torque to it, and could spin it up to 5700rpms with a basically stock block. Hp was around 450. I'm going to put a 406 in my 96z. Going w/ the Dart 230cc heads, Victor Jr. intake, timing gears (Like the noisy ones), and unsure of cam selection right now. Looking at 600hp. Will decide on carb when i'm done.