I got my hands on a 400 and I'm looking to replace the 305 in my 87 GTA. I've got a couple of q's:

Will I have problems with the starter location on the 400 with SLP headers? If so, what options do I have?

What combustion chamber cc should I run with the stock piston and head gasket to achieve 9.5:1 CR?

Thanks for any help,
Jason

 

The starter shouldn't be a problem since all small blocks are externally the same size.

 

i would add that you should check that the block is drilled for both bolt patterns. my block was only drilled for the diagonal bolt pattern and the full size starter wouldn't fit. luckily i found out the 502 crate engine mini starter worked although pricy

 

I've heard several reports about those headers having trouble with the starter for 14" 168-tooth setups. I don't have them myself so I don't know. People who have used them with the smal flywheel say it fits fine with that starter location.

If you have a 12¾" 153-tooth system, which would only be if you have a T-5, the 400 block doesn't have the inner of the 2 bolt holes for it. You can easily get a machine shop to drill it for you though. I drilled my 400 block and used the stock starter for years, which was a mistake, as I consistently had trouble starting the car through a nummber of both batteries and starters. I now have a CVR mini-starter, which spins the motor at least 3 or 4 times faster than thte stock one ever did, and fits into a much smaller space too. If you have a fit problem with the headers, that's what I'd suggest you do, as the stock POS has so little guts that it has trouble turning over a healthy big-inch motor.

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