Rebuilding 400sbc need feedback
400sbc +.30= 406ci
bottom end balanced,
this is what i want...

64cc Vortec heads with .600lift
Lunati Flat Tappet Hy Cam 504/525 lift
Performer RPM Vortec intake
800cfm thunder series carb
1:6 ratio full rocker rollers

or

TRICK FLOW TOP END KIT (FOLLOW LINK PLEASE)
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/TFS-K314-490-440/


ALSO I WANT TO REMOVE THE AC AND ADD A V-BELT, AND I NEED HELPING PICK OUT A STALL CONVERTER.... EVERYTHING HELPS, THANKS IN ADVANCE

 

better the TFS kit than the Vortecs. They're fine for getting a 383 to 450 hp at 5600 rpm, but your choice of cam, plus your alternative, show you're wanting more than that. Look at post 8 of this thread: https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/engi...st-builds.html

 

okay nevermind, i took a look nd i do hav dished pistons. but what is the price on a setup like tht???

 

ur using 64cc heads thats a down grade from stock 400 heads which are 76cc since u have th bottom end balance ur gonna be getting alot of your power throw your heads but they are still gonna work i have a 88 firebird and im putting my sbc 400 but since i dont have money to get it bored and rebuilt im gonna get it honed with new rings and the cam bearing with a huge cam, then im gonna upgrade my stock heads buy getting all new hardware in them with all that alone im gonna make 300 somthing hp just to show off till i get money to rebuild it

 

so ur saying i will get more HP out of my stock heads?

 

Factory 400 heads are about the worst possible choice out there.

 

so what did he mean by saying that using the vortec heads will be a down grade from my stock heads? and what set up u recommend

 

I'm always willing to defend 882s within reason, but he's mistaken.

 

I'm confused, but the fact is, well-ported 882s don't out-perform stock Vortecs. On a 400, the Vortecs do require dished pistons or race gas.
Those are the absolute facts. And arguing can't change them.

 

I'm gonna back Atilla on this one. if your building a 406 then I wouldn't even consider stock 400 heads, If you need to use a set of factory heads find a set of 993, 920, 487, 442, or 441 castings from a 350 and drill the steam holes. the 882 castings although good for lowend torque will always crack in the combustion chamber when exposed to upper temps and yes the 400 block will naturally run hot unless you adress the cooling issues(they are a simple fix)

 

In all my years doing engines, I've never once yet seen a cracked 882 head. They're not real responsive to porting, but they're fine for everyday street cruising.
400s running hot is a simple matter of 4 things: an adequate radiator, a good water pump, a 180 thermostat with a steam hole drilled through it, and the correct additive in the water. I like RedLine Water Wetter, but Royal Purple also makes something similar.
Once the temps stop dropping below 32, drain ALL the antifreeze (that's why there are plugs in the sides of your block) and switch to water with additive until 5-7 months later they once again dip below 32.

 

well ur pretty much losing power unless u get high performance heads with less youll make more hp im reusing my stock heads im getting all performance hardware in them and getting them cleaned so my motor will be all stock but im gonna make 300 to 350 hp out of it

 

their only bad if you get them ported

 

Well lets rephrase the 882 head debate. If you get the older head design that was flat across the outer headbolt area except for small u shape cutout then those heads held up fine but didn't flow to well compaired to other castings listed above. If you get the newer design that dips between every other headbolt for about 1.5 inch length those are the heads that crack in the combustion chambers because of poorer casting design. the newer design is what gave the 882's a bad name.

 

Someone told me to get 327 heads. they will produce 20-40 xtra hp. Is this true?

 

There were one or two 327 castings that were worth a hoot. They are rare restorer items, easily outperformed by a set of Vortec heads.