Ozzy88GTA

I might have the opportunity to buy a 400 SBC from a friend. What do I need to look for, like casting #s, original car, etc.
Also I plan on re-using my TPI and 700R4 from my GTA. I know it is not optimal for a 400 but it will have to do if I buy it.
Will I have problems bolting up the TPI base if it's an older block and what about using a roller cam with an older block.

Any input is appreciated.

-Ozzy

RB83L69

There's only a couple of 400 castings. Either it is a 400, or it isn't.

TPI will strangle it. That goes without saying.

The base does not care about the block; it only touches it in 2 places, namely along the front and along the back, and there's no year-model differences in those that apply to 400s and TPI.

You cannot put a factory roller system in an older block. There's a much simpler, more effective, more robust system that was around for decades before the factory mutilated the whole idea with their weird unnecessary costly stupid Frankenstein. The rest of us have been building roller motors for a very long time before 1987 I can assure you. That system will slide right into a 400, just like it will go into any other small block Chevy from 1955 up.

kfoley

I wouldn't go with a TPI setup on a 400.... ever. Like RB said, it will choke it (and if it's stock it's already choked enough). An aftermarket FI setup would be necessary to feed a 400, or you can always go with a carb (cheaper to start off with, but not in the long run).

Ozzy88GTA

You guys might be right and I have given it some thought. Buying all the other stuff for the 400 will be very pricey. Buying the intake, injectors, PROM or even wiring and ECM, valvetrain, machine shop cost, and whatever else comes along will just eat up my checkbook. I'll wait and save for a 350 shortblock. This is my daily driver so extreme racing performance is not the object.

Thanks anyways,

Ozzy

blacksheep-1

Actually, you may find that 400 is the way to go, if you are conservative. It provides a ton of torque and would run forever. I'm not sure about the FI, it might be too small. Back in the day we ran 400 small blocks with 305HO heads and a Q-jet. (we kinda had to run this because of the rules at the time) with a 350/350 hydraulic cam. That engine combination was awesome, a whole lot more than what you would expect. It was also very conservative, just a good combination of parts that complimented each other.