RacingTiger04

got my hands on a 400 sbc that the previous owner locked up. they forgot to install the dipstick after a rebuild and the oil came out of the dipstick hole. so basically the motor was just rebuilt and then locked up. tried to get it unstuck but i think it got hurt beyond doing that. so whats the best way to build one of these motors for streetability with around 380-400hp (guess thats reasonable for a 400??) ive been told everything from make it a 383 to make it a 416, anyone know the advantages of each. also i was wandering if its possible to put lt1 heads and intake on the 400 block. im really new to all of this so details are always helpful

Greed4Speed

A 383 is a 350 block w/400 crank... Now you can run a 350 crank in the 400 and make a 377. I've seen these ran a lot for dirt track. Makes for a higher winding engine. If you want the power band up in the RPM, build the 377. If you want more of a drag engine, build it larger.

angel71rs

If you want 400 hp and streetability, build it big, don't go down in size. BTW if the crank is shot, call around to machine shops and ask if they have any 400 cranks. Last time I built a 400, that's what I did. Found cranks at 3 or 4 shops on their racks, machined and ready to go. Paid 100 for a 10-10 one.

Blocks are different, getting scarce. Took me a while to find a good one. So hopefully yours is in good shape. Have it tanked and inspected thoroughly before you invest any machine work in it.

A good head for these is the Vortec. There is a guy running a 400 with these heads on this board (also hangs out at nastyz28) and is making great power for cheap. I think his user name is dirt reynolds.

You can put the lt1 stuff on it, but those are reverse cool heads, so a lot of work is required to make this happen. And the Vortec heads are still better, bolt right on, only require a manifold for the Vortec bolt pattern. Click on this link to compare the flow #s; you'll see the lt1s would be a step down for a bunch more hassle:

http://chevyhiperformance.com/techar...98/index4.html

RacingTiger04

wow, thanks for the info angel thats probly what ill do.. only real reason i was thinking of the lt1 top end on teh 400 would be for an easy fit into my 94 camaro while keeping the injection and without having to re-do most of the gauges, probly gonna keep my 4l60e and see how long it holds up, if it doesnt last long il drop in the th-350 that came with the motor then do the speedo over . definately like the vortec heads though...ill also probly keep the motor a 400 unless a major over-haul is required, in that case ill build it up to a 416 or 17 i believe i was told it was, and just see how much it can handle reliably
thanks for the head info though! makes my decision a lot easier on how ill rebuild the 400