How many horsepower would a '81 400 have?

 

I think the last year for the 400 was 1980, but don't hold me to that. It's going to be a 2-bolt main btw. You're looking at about 260hp stock with all the crap on it.

 

http://www.rebuilt-auto-engines.com/...35102551326.8f
you were right 80, this is what im looking at and i was just curious. Thanks

 

70-73 had 4 bolt mains. That particular casting number is a 2-bolt block. You'd also be better off with the later two of the three head casting numbers they "might" put on it.

 

Factory 4-bolt 400s are known to be weaker than factory 2-bolt 400s. Which plant did that '80 block come out of?

 

i wouldn,t be too concerned in regards to HORSEPOWER,,,torque is the majic word ,,,,TORQUE is what will provide the pulling power,to get these cars moving,,,most big kenworth trucks are only 350,,400hp ,,,hp on a mazda rotary is as high as a stock small cube V8 ,,,but try to overtake up hills,,,it dont work,,the V8 will eat it,,to death,,due to torque

 

If your thinking what I think your thinking... Buying a Longblock 400 from a engine remanufacture is Not a great idea in terms Of Putting more HP between your fenders.


If you Want to build a 400 For you car, Go find one in a wrecking yard (Ha!) and have a Local shop Build it up for you (By the sound of your post, Ill imagine you might not be totally comfertable doing this yourself at this point, and wisely so), Using parts you can find information regarding On this site.

Even with the lowest budget build with carefully selected parts, your going to make much more power, and have a higher quality product Than any of these reman-longblocks.

If your still Hungup on the Whole longblock idea, There are plenty of Crate engiens out there designed with Horsepower In mind.

Leave the reman-longblocks for the Fleet guys with their work trucks.

 

Don't think you're going to get any kind of performance out of a stock 400 long block. Any sort of typical rebuilder's product will fall into that category.

However, you might want to consider buying a short block rather than a complete engine, if you're uncomfortable with the idea of building one; and putting a decent cam and set of heads on it. If you do it that way you dodge the issue of trying to find, select, and prepare a block, but you get what you want there; and you get the opportunity to create something that will actually run good.

 

Thanks for all of the help. I just dont know what do do with a limited budget. The performace crate enignes have high dollar price tags. I would really love to build a 350 but i dont know much at all about building the bottom end. This make me consider the zz4 short block but it cost 2 grand. I know there is no cheap way to get a good engine i just dont know which way i want to go in doing it.

 

thats what 4.10 gears and dropping it down to 2nd is for