2.8 to a 400
2.8 to a 400
i just wanted to find out all i can about this swap i have a 88 rs with a weak 2.8 efi and iam going to be putting a 400 bored over .30 with a edelbrock 750 carb. with the performer rpm intake. it will have a th 400 tranny and iam thinking about 3.73 or 4.10 in the rear. so i know i have to do some mods to the drive shaft but does anyone have the specs for this and or anything else to make this a better motor it will be a daily driver and drag on sundays. what about cam size iam thinking about going with a lunati cam bracket master 2 with 285 adv duration 455 gross lift i would like a rough idle or lopey idle. iam buliding on a bugdet but any advice on anythig would help. any good heads?
Supreme Member
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 18,457
Likes: 16
From: Loveland, OH, US
Car: 4
Engine: 6
Transmission: 5
Bad cam, very outdated... use a Comp XE274H with 1.6 rockers. It has more .050" duration, far less advertised duration, and about .050" more lift in that configration.
Lunati might also have far superior cams to that one. Look for something with advertised duration in the 275-280° range, .050" duration in the 230° area, and lift close to .500 with the 1.5 rockers.
You failed to mention the one thing that makes the most difference on a big-inch motor: heads. The stock 400 heads are pure unadulterated crap. What are you going to do there?
Also, this will be enough power to completely overwhelm the stock suspension. You'll have wheel hop, spinning, etc. You will definitely need some work in that area and some subframe connectors to be able to use the amount of power that the buildup in question is capable of producing. After all, you're talking like tripling the horsepwer and quadrupling the torque. Significant change.
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"So many Mustangs, so little time..."
ICON Motorsports
Lunati might also have far superior cams to that one. Look for something with advertised duration in the 275-280° range, .050" duration in the 230° area, and lift close to .500 with the 1.5 rockers.
You failed to mention the one thing that makes the most difference on a big-inch motor: heads. The stock 400 heads are pure unadulterated crap. What are you going to do there?
Also, this will be enough power to completely overwhelm the stock suspension. You'll have wheel hop, spinning, etc. You will definitely need some work in that area and some subframe connectors to be able to use the amount of power that the buildup in question is capable of producing. After all, you're talking like tripling the horsepwer and quadrupling the torque. Significant change.
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"So many Mustangs, so little time..."
ICON Motorsports
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 394
Likes: 0
From: illinois
Car: 86 camaro
Engine: 433 big block
Transmission: jw powerglide 5500 coan stall
Axle/Gears: moser9" 4:11 posi
i've done the exact same swap so if you have problems feel free to e-mail me. i started with a small old cam ,the L79. i would put a two -piece timing cover on now, wish i had, that will make it easier for you if you want to changeit.that small cam idled smooth and still ran 13.4 @107
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86 camaro 405 sm. blk. th 350 tranny 3.42 gears
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86 camaro 405 sm. blk. th 350 tranny 3.42 gears
thanks guys but what type of idle will that cam give me? and what about the edelbrock performerRPM heads worth it or not if not what type of heads? any certain compression i would want to stick with? any more info on anything is very helpful.
Member
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 131
Likes: 0
From: Thomaston, GA
Car: Transformed 86 Coupe
Engine: 400 sbc
Transmission: 700R4
In a 400 that cam will give you a fairly smooth idle. The Crane cam I have in my 400 is something like 221/230 @ .050" and right at .500" lift with 1.5 roller rockers. I installed 1.6 rollers and I am also using the Performer RPM heads. My compression ratio is 10.7:1 but my engine is fuel injected so I would not recommend going quite that high with a carb.
Most everyone wants a lopey idle but remember that too much cam will hurt you more than helping you. My setup made 420 Hp a couple of weeks ago on the dyno and would have made more but my ignition was crapping out at >5300 RPM.
Most everyone wants a lopey idle but remember that too much cam will hurt you more than helping you. My setup made 420 Hp a couple of weeks ago on the dyno and would have made more but my ignition was crapping out at >5300 RPM.
so whats he into, im interested in this swap too. will all the stock options still work? How do you play w/ the computer? What the eastest way to make sure you get all the right wires to the right spots.....
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