Alright , I have been posting alot of what will bolt up to what engine posts lately because I am looking to build a new engine for my car and I am wondering what all I can re-use. Well I am looking at a 74 400 small block , and I was wondering what parts would be good for it. I am looking for a mild cam with probably about .450 max lift, what are some heads that i can get for it for less than $1000?It supposibly has 8:5 compression ratio I am looking for about 9:5:1 compression , and also can I re-use the serpitine brackets off of my old engine? Sorry there are so many questions , but I dont know much about 400's and its a deal I cant pass up.Thanks

 

Why only .450 lift? i have the biggest hydraulic compucam they make w/1.6 rockers (comes out to about 484 lift intake, 501 exhaust) and it still idles almost exactly like stock with 9.4 compression. As for heads, the vortec heads will bump up your compression a little and still flow well, and for well under 1000 bucks even if u have them modded to handle around 500 lift. then your serpentine setup will still bolt up (as is true with most aftermarket heads). Only thing is you will need a different intake manifold to mate to the heads.

 

I am only going with about a .450 because I want a low end cam to match with the 400's brute torque, and I dont want anything to radical. Also I was thinking of doing vortecs but I didnt think they would work with a 400 because of the steam wholes,but I found a place that makes them with the steam holes added to them so I am almost definetly going to get those if I get the engine. You said that the serpinitine setup will work with the vortec heads , but what about the stock 400 heads they are an 882 casting I think. I was thinking that it all should bolt right up but like I said I dont know much about 400's , I appreciate your input.Thanks

 

It really depends on what you want to do with the engine. I have .560/.580 lift and have more power than I know what to do with. vortec heads are good but you have to by an intake. I'd recomend Proptopline heads 200cc or 220cc depending on how big your cam is. Theres a good thread going on right now in the aftermarket parts board, buying a complete engine, or something is the name of the thread. It has alot of good info in it. There's also my 406 build up thread. You can get away with running a bigger cam in a 400 because it "hides" the cam better. That engine wants/needs alot of air to make really good power. If you are going to make it really mild, it might be cheaper to go with a 350. Like I said, just depends on what you want. Good luck and let me know if I can help any.
Jason

 

As far as heads go you can get protoplines (v good), world sportmans, or dart iron eagels (look for like 200cc runners). From my reaserch the toplines are the best (and most reasonable- $800 assembled per pair). And go with a larger cam for the 400 - they need breathing. A rule of thumb for a cam for a 400 - look for what you want in a 350 then go a step or 2 higher. Aslong as your heads have acceory bolt holes (all heads from like 68-up) your serp setup will work. I hope this helps.

 

Thanks for the help guys, I appreciate it . I think I would be better off building a 350 but this 400 is an awesome deal that I dont want to pass up, and I dont want a 350 like everyone else has I want something rare and challenging, and I am probably going to throw the commander 950 setup I have lying around on it to. There cant be more than 5 people on this board running a 400 with a commander 950 tbi setup. I will probably go ahead and get a bigger cam (no bigger than .510 lift) and get the vortecs machined to work with the higher lift. I am only looking to have between 320-370 hp , I really just want something that can run down Ls1's and have my own unique setup unlike all the other camaros in my town. Thanks again for the help guys.

 

the steam holes can easily be made by hand with a drill bit. they arnt anything really special. you can get any SBC heads to work with the 400 block



then you're looking to make some horsepower. if you concentrate on making only TQ like you implied at the start of the thread, you'll end up with a 450+ foot pound, 200hp car.