Tech / General Engine Is your car making a strange sound or won't start? Thinking of adding power with a new combination? Need other technical information or engine specific advice? Don't see another board for your problem? Post it here!

how much HP can the stock 400 take?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 09-14-2002, 03:41 PM
  #1  
Supreme Member

Thread Starter
iTrader: (9)
 
88 350 tpi formula's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: WI,USA
Posts: 3,532
Received 18 Likes on 17 Posts
Car: 89 FORMULA 350, 91 Z28 Convertible
Engine: ls1, LB9
Transmission: t56, Auto
Axle/Gears: S60/ 3.73
how much HP can the stock 400 take?

I know it is cast but, so are stock 87-92 350 ones right?
Old 09-14-2002, 03:45 PM
  #2  
Supreme Member

Thread Starter
iTrader: (9)
 
88 350 tpi formula's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: WI,USA
Posts: 3,532
Received 18 Likes on 17 Posts
Car: 89 FORMULA 350, 91 Z28 Convertible
Engine: ls1, LB9
Transmission: t56, Auto
Axle/Gears: S60/ 3.73
oops, I mean the crank and rods
Old 09-14-2002, 04:15 PM
  #3  
Supreme Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Ward's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 1999
Location: Rowlett, TX
Posts: 2,842
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes on 5 Posts
Car: 1988 GTA
Engine: 5.0 TPI
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 9 Bolt, 3.45
Yes, the crank and rods on all 400s are cast. Its not really the power of a 400 that you must worry about, its the RPM. 400s are not good revving engines due to the long stroke. Even with forged rods and crank, I still would not recommend more than 5500 RPM. 400 connecting rods are weaker than 350 ones due to the larger crank journal size.
Old 09-14-2002, 06:12 PM
  #4  
Supreme Member

Thread Starter
iTrader: (9)
 
88 350 tpi formula's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: WI,USA
Posts: 3,532
Received 18 Likes on 17 Posts
Car: 89 FORMULA 350, 91 Z28 Convertible
Engine: ls1, LB9
Transmission: t56, Auto
Axle/Gears: S60/ 3.73
well, I don't want more than 5000 rpm out of it so I should be fine right? I think 350 to 375 max hp is what I will be making these are real hp numbers not fast and furious numbers
Old 09-14-2002, 09:42 PM
  #5  
Supreme Member

 
F-BIRD'88's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 6,111
Received 52 Likes on 49 Posts
Car: 1988 Firebird S/E
Engine: 406Ci Vortec SBC
Transmission: TH-350/3500stall
Axle/Gears: 7.5" Auburn 4.10 Posi-Traction
A friend of mine has a 700+ hp 400 small block.

It's in a 9 sec drag car.

He runs the factory cast crank to 7000+ rpm
Total reliability

He had the crank "Iced" (cryonic heat treat)
Old 09-15-2002, 09:57 AM
  #6  
Supreme Member

 
zippy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Chander, Arizona USA
Posts: 1,338
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 2006 Silverado 1500
Engine: 5.3L
Transmission: 4L60E
they'll handle about all you want to throw at them. the two bolt blocks are generally stronger though. may of my friends that run circle track turn them 7k plus for 15 minutes or more at a time. just use good rod bolts and main studs along with a good balance job and you'll be fine.
Old 09-23-2002, 11:05 PM
  #7  
Junior Member
 
Mr_Happy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Bangkok, Thailand
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
450-550 HP just don't wing the pee out of it 5500 Max use a rev limiter MSD 6A etc... After market parts billet crank, concreted block, racing pistons and splayed caps it will hold around 1200HP.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Below Average J
Members Camaros
23
11-18-2015 10:03 PM
Genopsyde
Engine/Drivetrain/Suspension Parts for Sale
3
10-07-2015 08:35 PM
camaro71633
Tech / General Engine
39
09-01-2015 10:24 AM
lakeffect2
Cooling
11
08-23-2015 08:44 AM



Quick Reply: how much HP can the stock 400 take?



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:12 AM.