Is there such a thing as a budget 406?

The shops around here all quote $6000 for a 450HP 406 (Canadian prices).

All I want is something I can drive daily, so it doesn't need to be 11-12 second capable.

What kind of combo's can I build to get around 300-350HP (Enough to do mid 13's on street tires)?

Could I just use a rebuilt 400 with a cam/dart iron eagle heads?

What are some engines you guys have built? And would a 350 be cheaper?

 

400 parts DO cost more than 350, but well worth the extra cost. Go with a 5.7 rod for a street engine. You can run a larger cam with a 400 and get away with it much easier. And still have all the low end you need. Once you have a longer stroke engine you won't go back. You can build it for much less , if you already own the block.

 

I took the 400 out of my 67 camaro and put a cam and intake in it and thats it. Very fast for not a lot of money.

 

Budget 400. You have to find a 400 first and it isnt that easy to find a cheap one that doesent have a rod poking through it or just about to. IMO If your building a 400 dont have a budget at least where to rods are concerned or the heads.............

 

$6000 (can) is a lot of money for a basic 400 SB that has to go
say mid/high 12's and be a daily driver.

You need to shop around some more.
Many shops get carried away on whats nessessary for a street motor or just want to soak you.

You can build a cast ( hyperteuctic) flat top pistoned 400 for a lot less.
Use 350 5.7 rods (K rods) ( truck) use a stock gm 400crank
Use a standard 2 bolt 400 block. Put your money into proper
block machining ( decking, align boring) instead of a 4bolt block.

For a flat top motor you'll need 72 to 76cc heads.
for 64cc heads you'll need to use dished pistons.
This motor will need to be balanced.

I would use Protopline iron lightinng 72cc heads or
Vortecs with 64cc heads.
Use a dual plane intake and 750cfm carb.
A Comp XE 274 cam is all the cam you'll ever need.
An equivelent Crane or Isky will do nicely too.

I have just such a motor and got way less than $6000 (Can) in it.
it.

You can easily hit your performance goals with a 350 based motor with good heads. It will cost less. But if you want a 400 based motor go for it.

 

Yes, 400's can be built fairly cheap for the street. Stock bottom end should be fine, but you should probably invest in ARP rod bolts. With Iron Eagles and a cam you'll have gobs of torque and should be pushing a bit over 400hp. Like said above though, spend the money on machine work and decent rods/pistons, the last thing you want is to lose the bottom end becasue you wanted to save a few extra dollars.

 

You can still find 400's in a junk yard and I recommend a 2 bolt as they are much stronger than 2 bolt (even though in your case in doesn't sound like the block is in jeopardy) I would go with 6inch rods if you have to buy new ones since they will have a better rod ratio with a 400 stroke(they are even going 6.125 now). The stock cranks are just fine to about 6000rpms. If yo buy a set of after market heads keep in mind you will have to have them drilled for the steam holes. I personally would build the 400 if I could do it all over again....

Try and find a complete motor and that will save you a ton of money. You won't have to buy a flywheel, balancer or crank.

 

Since I'm starting with the 305, I have to buy the engine.

Would it be cheaper to build up a 350 as opposed to a 400 (Since I have to buy either block)?

 

Not if you can find a complete 400 Just remeber that the 400 is the only externally balance SB so parts aren't as easy to swap as wiht a 350....

 

Here is a Canadian source for all the engine parts you'll need to assemble a 400. You'll need a machined block, rods and crank.
The assembly will need to be balanced.
They will ship to your door. Now all you need is a 400 Core and a good machinist.


Accelerated Motion

Send him an email and tell him what you are building.
Top quality and excelent service.

 

Nice.

I got an awesome machinist (Over 20 years in the business) to help me out, plus another mechanic (Who worked in a performance shop for 10 years) to help with the installation.