would it be practical to build up a race-only 377 motor utilizing a 400 block and 350 crank? with the 400 block having the cooling problems that it does, would it be pretty much impossible to make lets say 500-700 hp without constant problems with cooling it down? it would only be driven to the track, raced (1/4 mile), and driven back, so its not like it is long road trips on a hot day or anything .

 

hey if all those guys that run in the fastest street car shoot-out can go on their 25mile cruises with no overheating then i'd say you can do it. ya just need to figure out what size cooling capacity and air flow you'll need to cool that much power.

 

well, i was just wondering since the 400 block has siamesed cylinders (you know what i mean, spelled right or not) which does make it different than other high performance motors.

 

It really depends on the specific situation.

I don't think your going to reliable make 700 HP out of a stock 400 Block tho.

At the 500 HP level you would probrably be okay with a sufficent cooling system.

 

I agree with Bort62. I ran a 630 HP version and didnt really have any cooling problems......C&R 2 row, 2 pass w/heat exchanger, Edelbrock water pump. A little more than someone would run for a street car, but I found it woth it.

The realibility of a production block would be my greatest concern.

At the 500 HP mark, you should be fine. At TRACO/GULDSTRAND we stuffed 377's in all of the "Grand Sport" tuner cars, and they put out numbers around there.....pretty good for a maintainable pump gas street car. But even JJ started with a 'Bow Tie' block and an overkill bottem end.....

 

The 400's didn't have any more cooling problems than any other SBC when set up correctly. Or, to put it another way, set up any SBC incorrectly, you'll have cooling problems whether siamesed or not.

The problem I have is figuring out why you would want to destroke a perfectly good 400. Extra expense for less power. The benefit would be.....what?

Bow Tie or Motown block would be a good place to start, either way.

 

you can use an older 350 steel crank for cheap and not have to buy a aftermarket forged 400 crank

so if you look at it this way, its not that much of an extra expense

my one friends motor:
377
Stock Production block
splayed 4 bolt mains
it was filled
4.155" bore
13:1
GM Steel crank
Eagle 6" rods
Super Victor
Dominator
Ultradyne Solid roller
Ported Track 1 heads
3000lb tubbed nova

went 10.60-70s on motor
went 9.30s-40s on 300 shot

(cam was a motor cam, 106LSA)

Later he switched to:
Dart Raised Runner heads
GM Raised Runner intake
both ^^ heavily ported
Fogger
MUCH bigger cam and it was suited for spray (112LSA)
Went 10.20s-10.30s on motor
Went a best of 9.27 draggn' the bumper to the 330 mark on only 250

377s can make some power, just gotta rev em