ok....ive been in the market for an engine for a while now....what do u think

400 short block....virgin....stock crank, rods, pistons, he'll throw in the heads too....$350

400 short block....bored .030, crank turned, stock rods, federal mogul .030 pistons, and will throw in sotck heads.....($800)
he says the pistons cost $400. soo....its like im payin 50 bucks for the bore/turning.)

 

Personally speaking,I'd do the $350 deal,then you can do what you want as far as pistons go. Check the price on those Fed Mog slugs. You can get a nice set of Speed Pro's in the $250-375 range and Ross,JE,Manley etc.etc,for 500-650.

my $.02

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My sons car: 86 Iroc,388ci,Brodix,Victor jr,TPI-700r4,3:73.

 

I think it should come down to how close a shortblock are you going to have compared to stock. If you elect to use something other than the 5.565 rods, the pistons on the $800 combination will not help you much. In that respect, the combination for 350 will provide you with the best initial investment. Your still paying 350 bucks for a bare block, (and that is a little high even for a 400).

IF your going to keep the thing close to a stock bottom end, go with the 800 route.

 

how sure are you of the quality on the engine that has already had work done to it? if you know who did it, and know the engines history(and its good), then maby go for it.. IMO i'd go for the first option, just because i like to do things my way from scratch

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• 83 Z28--ttops, 200k miles--very ragged out. sold after a year of owning it
• 74 Z28--slightly modded 383, TH400 tranny, 10 bolt rear, not to swift, but a 700R4 and EFI is on the way

 

well..i kinda trust the guy...i dont know him ALL that well...but my friend does...and he has built a several engines...for several people and their only downfall was that he used badger pistons($98) but that was cuz the guys wanted a budget build.

also i might add the pistons are forged...and obviously are (.030). the bored one hasnt been used since boring/turning of crank...he was building it for someone who backed out.....

i was kinda plannin on keeping it stock for a few years, til the TTs get here ....

the pistons are forged by the way....and are new.

[This message has been edited by Black Beauty (edited March 14, 2001).]

 

If they are forged, and the bottom end was put together pretty good by some one with a decent reputation, get it.
The virgin 400 sounds good too, but you will need machine work on the block,crank turned and polished,new forged pistons, moly rings,all new bearings and freezeplugs,etc.
So if he did a good shortblock, by all means get it. But if you do the virgin 400, replace the rods to the 350 (5.7) rods. Better geometry.

Sounds like your off to a good start, then when the beans hit, replace to a better head.

Happy building!

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350 4 bolt main, Speed-O-Motive 383 stroker kit, re-sized rods ground for clearance,TRW Forged pistons,10.7:1 compression,HPC Coated RPM intake, Speed Demon 750 cfm carb,World Products Sportsman II heads,2.02/1.60 valves, Comp Cam 1.6 roller rockers, Comp Xtreme 284 cam,240/246@.050 with .540 lift,Crane pushrods,ATI damper,Proform HEI and MSD6A box,HPC coated 1 5/8 headers, 2.5" exhaust with 40 series mufflers,TH350 with B&M 3000 stall, Powertrax NoSlip Locker, 4.11 gears.

[This message has been edited by Polecat (edited March 14, 2001).]

 

I found TWO for $200 each!! Still know where I can get 'em too!!

 

uuuhhhh....where

hopefully in cali??

thanks for the replies guys

 

86tpi,
So you know where 2 virgin 400's are.......if so, let me know!

 

stock 400 heads are a.s.s.

dump them ASAP