I have a 400 SBC that i am going to build to put in my 85 z28. Question is im looking for a good combination for all parts and maybe a possible $$ amount its gonna run me. Im lookin for 450-500 hp. As of right now the parts im going to get is, just the bolt ons list..

Headers of course
3 inch... borla sound good with carb??
edelbrock air gap manifold
demon 800cfm carb
msd 6a box
msd distributor

thats pretty much what im workin with, is 800cfm enough for 450-500 horse?

I am going to use my t-5 tranny. I am having a rebuild and built up quite a bit to handle the load. I'll be doing all my suspension stuff so really what im lookin for is allthe internals on the engine and what cam and heads to use. also going to have internal balanced so i can use my 350 flywheel. Also does anyone know of a place that sells a nice serpentine setup for sbc. Want to get one of those too cause my vbelt setup was causin me havoc i couldnt keep the alt belt on. thanks guys i know that was kinda messy but hopefully you can sort thru it and know what im lookin for

Tim

 

Well whats your budget? Tell us that and we will tell you how much power and how fast you can go.

 

First of all:
Believe it or not, you arent the 1st person to build a 400 sbc.

Before you get too far into this, i would sit back and look at the budget issue.

Borla = ~$650
Demon = $$$
The only company i know that sells a full serpentine conversion is March and if i recall, its excess of $1,000. Why not use a stock serpy setup? It will bolt up. And you do realize 400 is externally balanced. It would probably be cheaper to just buy an external balanced fly and damper than to have the engine balanced internally just so you can use a 350 fly.

So far, no offence, but it appears as if you are just picking the prettiest looking parts with little regard as to the overall price or otherwise.

 

So far, so good.

What pistons does it have in it?

What sort of budget do you have for heads and cam?

You're going to need a good solid 250 CFM of intake port flow to get the power you want; pretty hard to do that with almost any stock heads. Ported Vortecs maybe. Other than that, you're looking at aftermarket. For that matter, I doubt Vortecs would be any cheaper by the time they were suitably prepared.

If you go aftermarket, I'd suggest flat-top pistons and Dart Pro 1 215s in the 72cc chamber size; or some other similar setup.

 

Heads are what make or break the power potential of a motor!!!! Get a great set of heads and you dont need a big cam to make gobs of power, which will make your car much more street friendly, but still have all the power!!!

I think Lingenfelter(or some famous racer) said:

"You can have the GREATEST cam in the world with average heads, and the motor will make average power.

But If you have a good(not even greatest) set of heads and an average cam, your motor will make good power"

But if you dont have the money to do heads, Save for heads, even if you dont do any mods for a year, it will tottaly be worth it in the end.

Good heads make great power, and also have lots of prestige!! Nothing like poping your hood and having people ask you what kind of heads you have...... "AFRs" and they go.. :rockon:

 

money is not an issue, as this 400sbc is a long term goal as i have my 4th gen to drive. im lookin for parts to buy and progress over a year, im just lookin for the 450-500 hp range and not worried on money. anyway wouldnt internally balancin my engine be more efficient than an externally balanced? i dunno just what i always thought. so sorry for the not sayin the budget but the budget doesnt matter. just lookin to make my 3rd gen my baby again. its my project. thanks

Tim

 

Internal balance is easier to build a car around but requires non-stock rods. They MUST be longer than the stock 400 length (which is 5.565"). 5.7" minimum. Which also means non-stock configuration pistons. Although, there are ALOT of good pistons available for not too much money, that will meet the rquirements.

As was said, heads are critical. For a big-inch motor to make big power you need big flow.

 

Since Money is not an Issue, look at what I did and it cost me about $5500.00
SBC 408 PARTS and PRICES
MANUFACTURE DESCRIPTION PART# PRICE
AFR Heads 195cc AFR-1036 $1,425.00

ARP Main Studs ARP-234-5501 $51.95
Head Bolts ARP-134-3701 $58.95
Oil Pump Stud ARP-230-7002 $6.50
Oil Pump Shaft ARP-134-7901 $13.95
Fuel Pump Pushrod ARP-134-8701 $14.95
Cam Bolt Kits _ARP-134-1001 $3.95
Fuel Pump Bolt Kit ARP-430-1601 $7.88

CARTER Fuel Pump 12 CRT-M6900 $59.95

CLEVITE Main Bearing MS1038H $55.00
Rod Bearing 8-CB663H $55.00

CLOYES True Roller Timing Chain CLO-9-3100 $60.09

CRANE Energizer Roller RockerCRN-11744-16 $132.50

EAGLE H-Beam Rods CRS6000B3D $335.09

EDELBROCK Elite Air Cleaner EDL-4207 $49.88
Valve Covers Tall w/ Script EDL-4249 $69.95

ELGIN Solid Lifters VT1992-16 $50.00

FEDERAL MOGUL Cam Bearings 1235M $19.00

FEL-PRO Head Gasket FPP-1014 (2x) $63.90
Intake Gasket FPP-1205 $13.95
Rear Main Seal Align Bored FPP-2909 $18.95

HOLLEY 750 VAC. SEC. HLY-0-3310S $249.95
Fuel Regulator HLY- 501 $26.00

LUNATI Flat Tappet Mechanical LUN-280/284F10 $183.71

MILODON Oil Pump Pick-Up Screen MIL-18311 $34.95
Street/Strip Oil Pans MIL-30900 $123.49
Diamond Stripper Windage Tray MIL-32250 $74.95
Lifter Valley Screen Kits MIL-23150 $15.95
Oil Pan Baffle MIL-32500 $5.25
Lifter Valley Baffle MIL-32610 $29.95

MELLING Oil Pump MEL-M55 $13.75

MR. GASKET Oil Pump High Press Spring MRG-26 $3.95
Brass Freeze Plugs SBC 400 $14.95
fuel pump mounting plate MRG-1514 $4.88

PIONEER Balancer 8" Int.Bal. PIO-872003 $95.88
Flexplate 168 tooth FRA-100_ $34.50

RUSSELL Clear Fuel Filter RUS-645470 $14.88

SCAT 4340 Forge Crankshaft 4-400-3750-6000 $490.00

SUMMIT Fuel Pressure Guage SUM-800115 $19.95
Timing Cover Bolt Set SUM-G1574HS $2.69

WISECO Pro Tru Forged Pistons PT020H4 (0.040) $419.00

TOTAL COST $4,434.02

Engine Parts Total $4,426.45
Engine Machine Work Total $954.00
$5,380.45

 

Here is the machine work. Price will vary depending on location:
MACHINE SHOP WORK NEEDED PRICE
K&P MACHINE Deck (.002) $150.00
Align Honed Mains $135.00
Tap Starter Bolt $30.00
Hone $105.00
Tap 3 Oil Holes $15.00
Install Deck Plugs $100.00
Mount Pistons to Rods $40.00
Balance Rotating Assembly $185.00
Hone Pistons $24.00
Hone Harmonic Balancer $25.00
SUB TOTAL $809.00

TURNER MACHINE Bore w/ deck plates (.040) $120.00
Install Cam Bearings $25.00
SUB TOTAL $145.00

TOTAL $954.00