400's r hard to come across, i have found three within my search, however they have all had cracks in the block and i junked them, i would build a 350 anyday, a friend of mine has a 350 bored to a 355, runs on alcohol, aluminum head, powerglide, predator carb, some insane compression ratio, and all the ignition trick and goodies, anyways his car runs 6's in the 1/8 mile, so it can be done

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1981 Pontiac FB originally V6, converted to SBC (HEI), Performer RPM, Holley 750 Vac Sec., Chrome Dress up, True Duals

 

There are more than 50 400s for sale on Classical Pontiac ranging from professionally built engines down to short blocks. Finding them locally, I'll admit, can be quite a bit tougher. I would definitely build a 350 if it were original to the car, but it wouldn't be my first choice for a lot of projects. How much investment does your friend have in that 350? I bet it's significant. And a Pontiac 350 displaces 355 cubic inches to begin with - no boring necessary

 

Not for sure, he has it in a full drag Nova, fibergalss everything, including the windows, he did run NOS with the alcohol, but stopped for some reason. I know he got the rolling Nova for right at $5,000 then I'd say about another $5,000 in tranny, electronics, and engine. Never has been on the dyno yet, wish he would, maybe he's scared

 

Is that a Pontiac 350 or a Chevy 350 he's running in the Nova? They are VERY different animals.

 

chevy all the way

 

I was only referring to the Pontiac 350s. They have a little bitty bore and most of the heads are ill-breathing. A Chevy 350 can be built to run 12s in the quarter without having to mortgage your house as there is a gigantic aftermarket and parts are cheap and plentiful. A Pontiac 350 can run 12s, but it's a LOT of work to find the right parts and it would cost you a fortune.