Can someone please help me im a complete newb at this stuff. I want to put together a TPI 400 Sml BLk chev. I have the 400 Sml Blk now. Its actually being cleaned up at the Local Machine shop. At any rate i want to put a TPI onto it. Obviously a factory L98 wont flow enough but a aftermarket one should right Edelbrock i was thinking with a 58MM TB! On to the Heads! I was looking at the Fast Burn Aluminium heads from GM or Edelbrock Performer Heads ( I don't know if centerbolt heads will work?!?)Both say they will work on a 400Sml Blk the Fast Burn say they are meant for lrg disp. motors though?!?! The other tricky part is the injectors i've heard everything from 24# to 30# injectors!?! As for a Camshaft i figure one for a heavily modded L98 would probally do the trick. And Obviosly id have to get a chip burnt for this Application and i would like to use MassAir over SD. PLease help me even if its a little here or there A big thank U goes out to all in advance. U guys truly are the TPI Gods!

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In Progress 400sml Blk into a 91 S-10 Z!

 

Here's how I would built a 400sbc TPI.

Must use either a Superam or a Miniram intake if you want to do it right the first time.

The most important part of any engine buildup is the heads. I think every engine builder would agree with me when I say you need a set of heads with a 200cc minimun intake runner or higher.

Yes, the Fast Burn heads would work cause of the big runners (215cc) and out the box could flow up to 500h.p. with the right combination but I would probably pick another head. Here's why. Fuel injection TPI manifolds will not be interchangeable with these heads and until now a lower base TPI manifold is not available yet. That means no Superam. HOWEVER, TPIS has formulated a special MINIRAM compatible with the Fast Burn heads ports BUT only could be used with these heads. Check out a set of Dart Pro I heads, Canfields or even the Sportsman II heads which are traditional SBC heads. I would go with the AFR 210cc heads if the money was there.

Cam wise go with the 219 Lingenfelter Cam if you decide to go with the Superam and upgrade to 1.6:1 roller rockers for maximum power. This is a proven street cam that Lingenfelter uses on a 420sbc that makes 510h.p/562ft-lbs. If you decide with a Miniram and for peak horsepower numbers I would go with the Comp Cam 230/244 dur. cam at 510/540 lift on 112lsa.

TPIS suggests keeping the 24lbs. injectors all the way up to 500h.p with increase fuel pressure to better dilute the fuel/air mixture. Depending if you go DFI or not I would speak with the person who's doing your chip if it would be feasible to go with anything bigger than a 24lbs. SVO injectors. Don't forget to get an adjustable fuel pressure regulator.

58mm t.b. is always a good idea on a big displacement Small block.

Long tube headers with 1 3/4" primaries should do the trick for the exhaust part of the engine.

I don't know if Centerbolt heads could be used on a 400sbc probably not since they were manufacturer back in the 70's. I think you could still used the Fastburn heads just because there made for both perimeter and or centerbolt style.

So in a budget I would go with Sportsman II heads,LT-4 Hot cam, Edelbrock lower base, Superam intake, 24lb SVO inj. This engine combo would be a torque monster and probably too hard to hook up on an S-10 since they are much lighter than an F-body.

For optimum performance I would go with AFR 210cc heads, 230/244 Comp Cam roller cam, Mini-ram intake port-matched to heads, and 30 lb. injectors to be on the safe side. I would give up on the Chip thing and just Pick up an ACCEL DFI unit or Haltech. You could fine tune it for any engine combo.

 

I would use the Accel base, SuperRam Plenum, BBk 58mm TB. For a camshaft I would use the Lingenfelter 219 roller if you have the money. Or the Lingenfelter 213 Flat tappet, both are designed for A 383-406 SuperRamed Small block. I would use a head in the 190-200cc range. The smaller heads will work great with the SuperRam And still pull good to redline. I like the trick flow 23* heads They out flow the fastburn heads out of the box. If you were going to run a MiniRam or carb Then I would use the 210cc and up heads.
A set of 1 5/8 headers will work well with the rest of the package. You are building midrange torque with this setup. And still making an honest 425-450 horsepower at the crank. With even more torque! You can use Centerbolt heads on a 400. Just drill the steam holes.

I would use the 30# Injectors Also, And a walbro 255 pump.

Thats the motor I will be installing in a few weeks. With an Ed wright, or S&P chip.

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Black 90 IROC, L98, A4, 323 gear. SuperRamed 406 in the works!

[This message has been edited by MikeH (edited January 07, 2001).]

 

I am currently running an injected 400 SBC. On an 89 Iroc. I have the 23 degree TFS heads along with a custom comp cam, Accell SuperRam. I would recommend going with a MiniRam in place of a SuperRam as the SuperRam is much more difficult to get on and off.

 

The 400 is a great motor and have been using them since 95’. As far as suggestions for what to do with your 400, it really depends on what you plan on using it for, street/strip, strip-only, etc.
My 400’s have been built to be streetable strip motors. I’ve used both the Accel Superram/lower and the TPIS Miniram. If you’re going to use the Superram, you are going to want that the runners and the ports through the lower manifold completely ported and polished. Get it done professionally or send to Lingenfelter for the porting. I’ve gotten close to 40hp from the Superram porting. Along with fully ported Sportsman 2’s, 58mm throttle body and a custom ground hyd. roller cam (236/240 @ .050, .560”/.560” lift, 114 LSA) I was able to spin the motor up to 6200rpm.
I also have the Miniram on another motor. It’s a completely different feel compared to the Miniram. It’s not fully ported. The hyd. roller cam is somewhat smaller (230/236 @ .050, .560”/.560” lift, 112 LSA) Heads are fully ported TFS. The flow numbers I got from them are similar to my fully ported Sportsman 2’s. I’ve been spinning the motor up to 6200rpm, but it feels as thought there’s more there.
Don’t go with injectors under 30lbs. Either get a chip burned to used them or just run a DFI like me. To be honest, when I first used a 400, I ran it with a long tube runner setup and an ADS stage 2 chip with 30lbs injectors and ported Corvette heads. That thing ran fine. Was able to get low 13 time slips. I’m considering using the 36lbs injectors for my Miniram setup.
Any of the after market heads with 190+ cc’s will do fine. Most of them are very close as far as flow numbers so go with something that suites your wallet. Forget about the 1-5/8” headers. You’ll want to use the SLP 1-3/4” headers or if you’re not worried about smashing up the primaries, go with the Hooker 1-3/4” full length. Both the Superram and Miniram are great manifolds. I love em both. Cams like the Hot Cam, the ZZ-9 or the Lingenfelter 219 seem like peanut cams in a 400. Run a cam with durations ranging from 220-230 @ .050” for a street type motor. My hyd. roller cam in my first 400 was the LPE 219. Didn’t like it. Switched to a Comp Cams (224/224 @ .050, .525”/.525” w/1.5rr, 110 LSA). Definitely preferred it over the LPE 219. You can go more, but you have to tune the computer to run with it. I know guys that run cams with duration in the 240’s –250’s @.050 and run pretty decent on the street. But they run DFI’s and spend the time to tune for such modifications. Centerbolt heads will fit. Like I said, I’ve used the Corvette aluminum heads for my early setups.
Hope this helps.


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N/A 406, TPIS Miniram, 58mm TB, 30lbs injectors, Custom Ground Elgin Cam, Ported TFS heads, SLP 1-3/4", & DFI computer.
11.70@117mph

 

All i can say is U guys are AWESOME holy Crap!!! Thank U so much all of U.

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In Progress 400sml Blk into a 91 S-10 Z!

 

What type lifters would i use? I prefer CompCams cause i can get them for cost or wholesale. I think i will use the LT4 Hot Cam as i want to keep this vehicle as a daily driver and don't want something overly outrageous. So i know the cam is a Hydr.Roller Cam and need 1.6 Rocker Arms.... So can u help me thanx

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In Progress 400sml Blk into a 91 S-10 Z!

 

The Comp hyd. roller lifters are great. Pretty much the brand of roller lifters I use. for some reason, you can find them for cheaper than the others. From what I hear, the lifters, just like the cam blanks, are manufacturered from the same plants. The manufacturers just stamp their names on em. My Comp CCA-853-16 lifters look exactly like some Speed-Pro hyd. lifters I used way back as well as some Lunati and Crower hyd. rollers I used in a couple friends' motor. If you can get the Comps for wholesale, get em. If you can spread the wealth with me, even better.

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N/A 406, TPIS Miniram, 58mm TB, 30lbs injectors, Custom Ground Elgin Cam, Ported TFS heads, SLP 1-3/4", & DFI computer.
11.70@117mph