400 build

[Cuda_451]

400 block bored .40 with a mopar performance camshaft 272/.455 . kb pistons with edlebrock intake and 750 cfm edlebrock carb. Headman headers. Anything wrong with this?

[Chryco Psycho]

 
 Not the way I would build it
 Far better cam choices than the 40 year old MP designs
 I never skimp on pistons & use forged only not hyper KB
 Which Eddy intake ?
 I never use Eddy carbs again there are far better available .
 Hedman headers often do not fit well & hit everything or leak
 What are you trying to accomplish with the build ?

[Cuda_451]

This is my first build being that I'm still in school and this was the better of our 5 e-bodies so im just making it a temorary build but still wanting some decent power. its matched with 727 trans and 8 3/4 posi trac rear end with 3.55 gears.

[Chryco Psycho]

Coool , Have fun with it 

[Cuda_451]

Thanks!

[GreenFish]

Ive got KBs in my 440, been there for over 10 years. I abuse the hell out of that car and no issues.  I'd probably use forged if i did it again. Spend as much as you can in the right places. I understand a tight budget. I was in my 20's when my engine got built but i can be done on the cheap. Most stuff today is a lot less expensive than it was 20 years ago, and much better.

[Cuda_451]

I'm just trying to get something fairly quick right now, but what times could I possibly get with this build? I'm just curious right now lol what's your set-up?

[Chryco Psycho]

I always build wih the best parts available , so in your case I would use forged pistons so the short block is perfet , things like headers , heads , cams , intakes & carbs can be swapped in later easily pistons not so much .

[Cuda_451]

Okay, thanks! What d would be a good estimated time that I could run with this set up? And what horsepower numbers an I looking at?

[1 Wild R/T]

I always build wih the best parts available , so in your case I would use forged pistons so the short block is perfet , things like headers , heads , cams , intakes & carbs can be swapped in later easily pistons not so much .

While I agree the thing is no one makes an off the shelf piston for a 400 that makes decent compression... Everyone who builds a 400 is generally building a stroker...  The tallest off the shelf piston has a C/H of 1.908 & those are all KB's...

JE SRP Ross Sealed Power Speed Pro,,, All don't offer pistons for a stock stroke 400... Now if you want stroker pistons all have options.....

My suggestion... Set the 400 block aside for a future build.... Find a 440 block, there are more piston options..... 

Until your ready to put allot of money in your 400 your just throwing money away & boring a block that should be put to use as a stroker.. 
Build a 440 & when you build the 400 stroker later you'll still have the 440 that can be put to use in another car....   JMHO..

[Cuda_451]

The block was already built when I got it so I just gonna use if for now until I decide on what to do to a 440. I'm just wondering what numbers I could expect for now

[1 Wild R/T]

If it's already built throw it in & see what it does....  Thats a whole lot different that throwing money at a new build..  If you want to spend a few bucks either put some decent heads on it....

[Cuda_451]

What type of heads you recommend? What type of power could I expect from this?

[1 Wild R/T]

Since we don't know what KB pistons you have & what heads you'll be running I'm sure you'll be in the 150-325 HP range....  There are a couple KB piston options the poor choice will have you struggling to make 8-1 C/R the better choice with small chamber heads will make 9.4ish...

As previously mentioned the cam isn't ideal but it can make some power, just that there are cams that would offer better drivability & still make as much if not more power..

Thing about heads is they can be bought now & transferred to another build in the future... You could even have them ported at the time of the new build.... But heres the thing, do you choose small chambers now to help this engine all you can? Or do you try to figure out your future build & buy heads based on that & accept what gains you get for now knowing in the future they are the right head?  The current flavor of the week in good performance heads at a reasonable price? Sidewinder... But nothing wrong with Stealths and about a half dozen other offerings... Back in the day we dreamed of having these problems...

[Chryco Psycho]

The new Trick flow heads would work well  small heart shaped chambers will help compression