So, I have a completely stock 1982 Camaro z28. She needs alot of love, but at least she runs and drives. I was wanting to swap out the motor to somthing that actually has some hp. I was thinking a 400, but I'm unsure of how hard that swap is. 350 seems to be the norm around here, but I kinda wanted something different.

What are would be some good parts to put on a 400 to make around 400hp at the wheels? Is the 400 a hard swap? Will I have to route my belt systems different?

Thanks in advance and I'll post some pics as I start to dive into the project.

 

400 and 350 are essentially the same. externally its just another SBC the brackets and intakes and all that are the same. internally the stroke and bore are different, and the 400 is externally balanced. and you need to make sure whatever heads you use have steam holes for the 400 block.

 

Steam holes? Thats a new one on me. But I'll make note of it. What are good heads for a 400?

 

basicially the 400's internal water jackets are different than the 350. the block and heads have steam holes. if using 35 heads on a 400, those steam holes arent there and it causes problems. if youre using heads that came off a 400, they should already have those.

I dont really know all that much for the 400, but i do know the vortec heads are some of the best flowing factory heads. Any competent machine shop would be able to drill steam holes in a pair. They arent as expensive as aftermarket heads, but they arent as cheap as crappy factory heads either.

 

What kind of intake and cam should I run? Will the starter I have work? And the big question, should I eliminate the ac and heat? The ac has a leak, but it works, so I dont know..

 

Anyone else wish to chime in? I'd greatly appreciate more thoughts on this.

 

Intake and cam would depend on the heads youre going to run. And the a/c and heat is simply a personal choice question. Ask yourself this, do you actually use your ac and heat, or could you live without it.... that answer will lead you in the right direction.

 

my only issue with the ac is the loss of power. I'll probably delete that. But say I ran vortec heads, what intake/cam would work best?

 

If you go with vortec heads, first thing youd wanna do is have them machined for higher lift. Then a comps cams xe 262h 0r 268h. If you go with the 268 youd want to switch to a 2000+ stall converter (if you run an auto trans). If you plan on running this on the streets, Id advise keeping the AC if you live in any sort of warm climate. You dont loose much HP from the a/c when its not running so just turn it off when you wanna blow someones doors off at the light....

 

What exactly does machining for higher lift entail? I've always thought the only way to use big lift cams is to use pistons with larger valve reliefs. I was planning on having them ported and polished, and having the steam holes drilled anyway, so more machine work isnt a big deal. Also, duel plane intake or single?

 

They machine the spring seat down to accomodate springs for higher lift cams.

 

No, they machine the top of the valve guides so the retainers don't hit them at full lift.

You can machine the spring pockets for larger diameter springs, but you don't machine them lower.

 

I stand corrected. I havent personally had heads machined.