Well guys I am in over my head, not deep, I just have high aspirations. I have posted a few times regarding some questions about certain items, including intake, blower, and head questions. I have gotten some suggestions, and I highly appreciate it. I will give the rundown of my car, what I have now, and what I want to have. I will list the items that I have purchased, and things that from what I understand, I need. If there is a step by step book on any of this, I need it. I have an A1 master tech that is going to help me through it all, but I want to learn and do as much as possible myself. In the end, I want a 500-600hp highly streetable 92 Camaro "SS," a car that was never dreamed of back in the day.

What I have now:
1992 Camaro RS, 305 w/ a 350 TPI unit, upgraded wiring harness and ECM
5 speed T5 trans
Everything else is stock

What I have purchased for the build:
1972 GM 400ci small block, 4-bolt main, untouched from original owner
Moser Built Ford 9" rear end, 31 spline, modified to fit
1997 Camaro 4-wheel disc brake setup

What I want/need: (please suggestions and pricing ideas are welcome on items below)

Aluminum heads (AFR 210's suggested, anything better?)
T56 6-speed manual trans out of 93-97 Cam (Suggested, anything better?)
Pro Charger P1SC or D1SC (suggested, anything better?)
Better EFI (I have the TPI now, but have heard Ill want better?)
Centerforce Dual Friction Clutch (suggested, anything better?)
Anything Else I need??????


These are the major items I need to take care of. I am an ebay junkie, so I watch auctions all the time, and want to start to look for some of these items. That being said, I am not going to spare expense on this car, I will wait for the proper funds before I skimp on bad quality parts for the build. I dont want to get rediculous with price, but I am not going to go cheap, I want this car to be reliable. I am a technology Engineer and have good mechanical knowledge, so I dont consider myself an idiot with cars, but I need a lot of help. I appreciate the info you guys are willing to share, and hope to return the favor someday. Thanks,
Cole

 

Bump for some help.........

 

400 4 bolt. is this worth building?

 

400 4-bolt blocks are weakened in the main bearing web by the two outer bolts. They are not a good choice for a high HP NA application, let alone a blown application. The latest Chevy High Performance magazine did a 400 CI comparison build-up between an old-school 400 and newer LS1. They started with a 2-bolt main 400 block for this very reason. They were only putting out 580 HP NA.

Much better to start with an aftermarket block like the Motown. If not that, then a 2-bolt main block to which you have aftermarket 4-bolt splayed caps installed.

 

I was under the impression that the 4 bolt block was stronger than the 2 bolt, I guess that I was told wrong. Is this a write up in a magazine on this somewhere?

 

that is typically correct but the exception is the 400 4 bolt.

 

The article to which I was referring is in the latest Chevy High Performance magazine, paper edition. I don't see the article on their website.

 

Due to the suggestions that I have gained on here, and the reading that I have done in some Lingenfelter books, I have decided to not go with the 400 4-bolt. In that case, I am looking for something new. In Lingenfelters book he suggests using a Bow-tie block because of its inherent strength characteristics over the 400. ANyone have any experience with these, where to find them? In the end, I want what I stated above, a 500-600HP street car that runs on pump gas. What would you do??

 

use dart 215 pro-1 they out flow afr heads with out any port work. also i see 400 blocks like yours hold well over 600 hp as long as it is machined by someone who knows what they are doing. crowe automotive built my lt1 2 bolt cast crank, stock rods hyperutectic pistons (383) . it is a 1995 lt1 in a 1985 f-body. it puts out 455 hp @ the rear wheels. it also spins up to 7K rpm. i wish i had your block 1