400 sbc build up - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

wibilly · 05-22-2006, 11:02 AM

well i changed my plan again, from 400 pontiac to 500 caddy and now to a 406sbc for my 71 3/4 short fleet4x4 and saving the other moters for 2wd trucks i want to build the 406 for maximum torque at the bottom end. this engine will never see upwards of 4000 rpm if that, looking for peak torque just under 3000 rpm i want to run it on pump gas possably 87 octaine but91 is not out of the question because i know the whole key to voulometric efficincy is cr. iwill probably use 5.7 " rods. i would like your oppinions on pistons and heads. i have a performor and a holly street dominater intake. i will contact either ultra-dyne or lunetti for a cam grind when i have everything else worked out. i'm running 4.10 gears with 33' tires in a aprox. 4500#truck with a turbo 350 trans to be used as a driver and a tow rig till the next tow rig is put togather

4x4Poet · 05-23-2006, 02:23 AM

Lightweight hypereutectic for the pistons. I like the ones with coated skirts. No need for forged for sub 4k rpm use. I've heard Speed-Pro/Fel-Pro are better than KB hypers, but that's just cartalk.

Definitely go with the 5.7" rods. No brainer.

local13hutch · 05-23-2006, 02:55 AM

I have ran 400 sb's in mild to wild configurations four different trucks. In my opinion there great for the track but for towing and hot rod street stuff over heating is hard to get away from. And I wanted more than the average 383 stroker but it seems that unless you go real mild the 400 can be a pain. I understand that you are looking for that bottom end that the sb 400 can deliver but for my ramp truck I went through 2 400's and then put a 454 pushed to a 468 set up for towing and have never had another headache. And for my pro-street c-10 I just finished A 396 stroker that is a fire breather, But without the overheating problem's I have had with my hot rod's cruising on a hot afternoon....BUT THEY ARE GREAT FOR STRICTLY RACE-TRACK...Just my opinion. I know that there is alot good things that you can do with the 400...Five years ago in my eyes there was no better way to go.....Now I think there are better ways to go.....

05-22-2006, 11:02 AM	#1
wibilly Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: northwestern wi Posts: 2,111	400 sbc build up well i changed my plan again, from 400 pontiac to 500 caddy and now to a 406sbc for my 71 3/4 short fleet4x4 and saving the other moters for 2wd trucks i want to build the 406 for maximum torque at the bottom end. this engine will never see upwards of 4000 rpm if that, looking for peak torque just under 3000 rpm i want to run it on pump gas possably 87 octaine but91 is not out of the question because i know the whole key to voulometric efficincy is cr. iwill probably use 5.7 " rods. i would like your oppinions on pistons and heads. i have a performor and a holly street dominater intake. i will contact either ultra-dyne or lunetti for a cam grind when i have everything else worked out. i'm running 4.10 gears with 33' tires in a aprox. 4500#truck with a turbo 350 trans to be used as a driver and a tow rig till the next tow rig is put togather __________________ common sense isn't so common anymore

05-23-2006, 02:23 AM	#2
4x4Poet Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: "Under Montana skies." Posts: 1,836	Re: 400 sbc build up Lightweight hypereutectic for the pistons. I like the ones with coated skirts. No need for forged for sub 4k rpm use. I've heard Speed-Pro/Fel-Pro are better than KB hypers, but that's just cartalk. Definitely go with the 5.7" rods. No brainer. __________________ '71 GMC K20 Suburban, '71 GMC K10 Suburban, '72 Chevy C10 CST Suburban, '72 Chevy K20 clunker pickup.

05-23-2006, 02:55 AM	#3
local13hutch MEMBER Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: garden grove, ca Posts: 185	Re: 400 sbc build up I have ran 400 sb's in mild to wild configurations four different trucks. In my opinion there great for the track but for towing and hot rod street stuff over heating is hard to get away from. And I wanted more than the average 383 stroker but it seems that unless you go real mild the 400 can be a pain. I understand that you are looking for that bottom end that the sb 400 can deliver but for my ramp truck I went through 2 400's and then put a 454 pushed to a 468 set up for towing and have never had another headache. And for my pro-street c-10 I just finished A 396 stroker that is a fire breather, But without the overheating problem's I have had with my hot rod's cruising on a hot afternoon....BUT THEY ARE GREAT FOR STRICTLY RACE-TRACK...Just my opinion. I know that there is alot good things that you can do with the 400...Five years ago in my eyes there was no better way to go.....Now I think there are better ways to go..... __________________ 86 sub 4wd, 1 ton, duallie, big block th475 72 c10 short fleet, pro street 72 K/5 blazer,2x4 almost stock 72 3/4 ton sub 4x4 61 morris minor pickup, chevy 4.3 v6 03 escalade, 24" momo's wifes 96 2wd 2door tahoe 67 2wd suburban 72 4wd k5 99 vortec 14bolt/d60 205/th400- 72 4wd crewcab 1 ton sb cummins allison -2012 2ss camaro black hard top- 8 yamaha quads- 05 4wd one ton duramax dually, family limo.

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