400 Engine thoughts

[Shmingey]

Hello everyone, I am looking for some opinions on putting a 400 in a 72 Challenger?  I am currently looking at a 72 project car that is mid way through the swap that comes with a older 400 with 727 trans that is supposed to run good but I would plan on rebuilding it anyway.  I have read a little bit on swapping out some parts for 440 parts make it a 400 stroker but am wondering how good this will be for a car that I am looking to mostly cruise around with but every now and than have some fun with it. Is there any fitment issues with headers etc?

Thanks in advance for the help.  I am mechanically inclined with it comes to maintenance and average repairs but have never done a full restoration project but have rebuilt a couple engines and did a few engine swaps on smaller cars.

All opinions are appreciated.

[femtnmax]

You have a great combination with a 400 and 727 trany.  Many performance parts will fit your 400.  Lots of folks like the engine torque of a stroker motor.  With the stroker you will need a sure-grip rear axle, good brakes, etc.
I would be happy with the 400, but to each their own.

[Chryco Psycho]

building a 451 from a 440 crank & rods & a 400 block is an awesome combo , you end up with a 440 that loses 7 lbs of rotating mass & revs more like a 383 but retains the torque of a 440

[Cooter]

Hello everyone, I am looking for some opinions on putting a 400 in a 72 Challenger?  I am currently looking at a 72 project car that is mid way through the swap that comes with a older 400 with 727 trans that is supposed to run good but I would plan on rebuilding it anyway.  I have read a little bit on swapping out some parts for 440 parts make it a 400 stroker but am wondering how good this will be for a car that I am looking to mostly cruise around with but every now and than have some fun with it. Is there any fitment issues with headers etc?

Thanks in advance for the help.  I am mechanically inclined with it comes to maintenance and average repairs but have never done a full restoration project but have rebuilt a couple engines and did a few engine swaps on smaller cars.

All opinions are appreciated.

The 400 Mopar was a smog engine...Worthless pig unless you stroke the hell out of it. All this "I only want to cruise it around" is typically Bullsh*t...
Lemme translate what most mean when they say that ...."I only want to just cruise it around. Not looking for a race and do not need 500 HP until my buddy shuts me down in his Neon R/T, then I'll be back on the forums asking how I can get 500 HP out of a pig 400 and only spending $500.00 "

Stroke it NOW, so you won't have to "wonder" later.

[Challenger6pak]

Here we go again. 

http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=79252.0

[Shmingey]

Here we go again. 

http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=79252.0

Sorry I am confused, I'm not in anyway trying to start anything like that thread.  I'm purely wondering, since the car comes with a 400, what kind of performance can you expect out of a 400?  This forum hasn't had a whole lot of discussion on it regarding the 400 so I was hoping to gain some insight on it. 

The 400 Mopar was a smog engine...Worthless pig unless you stroke the hell out of it. All this "I only want to cruise it around" is typically Bullsh*t...
Lemme translate what most mean when they say that ...."I only want to just cruise it around. Not looking for a race and do not need 500 HP until my buddy shuts me down in his Neon R/T, then I'll be back on the forums asking how I can get 500 HP out of a pig 400 and only spending $500.00 "

Stroke it NOW, so you won't have to "wonder" later.

I see what your saying and maybe 10-15 years down the road it might happen but I still doubt it.  If I did go the 400 route I would be stroking it before placing it in the car, I was just hoping to gain some info on if there are any fitment issues with the 400, if it's worth putting my money into the 400 instead of just buying a different engine to use etc.  I really don't get too involved in the "My car can whoop your car" contest and after reading the 340 thread, I am not half as set as you are on having the biggest baddest engine in your car.  If I race someone and they beat me good for them, I hope I get a chance to see what they beat me with.  It will not make me lose any sleep or cause me to rip my engine out and put in a newer and faster version.  I have dreamed of having a Challenger my whole life and when I do finally get it, I don't plan on making it my race car, it is going to be a car to take out on nice days and cruise around with my brother when he goes to car shows.

[Challenger6pak]

Sorry to confuse you.  I know you are not trying to start a war.  The other thread was not intended for that either.  I hope this does not become one and it stays to topic so you can get your question answered.

[Chryco Psycho]

Back to the topic !
  the 400 as it came from the factory is junk , it was a smog engine , no compression , no real torque with the short stroke crank , lame cam grind etc .
 Having said that the 400 block is an excellent starting point , it is very strong & is a natural for a stroker you can have a 440 crank machined to fit the 400 or just buy a kit but I do recommend using the long 6.7" 440 connecting rods . This reduces the piston weight by over 1/2 lb each & reduces the mass of the crank to balance  the assy , you need to do some minor bore notching at the bottom of the bore but that affects nothing . This results in the same torque potential as the 440 but with reduced weight so it revs faster with massive power potential & ability to rev to 7000+ RPM . Add some good heads  , headers intake & a large carb & you have a monster .

[femtnmax]

The 400 will take the same parts as a 383, so installation should not have any problems.
Here is some rebuild detail info:
http://www.moparchat.com/forums/showthread.php?t=115625

Sounds like performance parts are more common for a 383 vs 400.  Appears the best use of your money for the 400 is to stroke it.
Hope this helps some.

[mopar12372]

all around the 400 /451 stroker is a great choice over the  440 . you wont be disappointed.