Which motor

[gonnuts]

I would like some input from some of the sbc experts on here. I'm putting a new motor in my truck & can get a 400 from a reputable performance shop or a lightly used (so he says) 385FB 350 crate engine that he has robbed the alum. heads off & replaced with cast vortecs. The 400 is 40 over with Kieth Black hypereutectic pistons, the rotating ass. is balanced. It's just the short block as I have a set of cast vortecs to go on. I'm planning on running a Edelbrock performer intake & carb(size depends on engine). I would be into the 350 for probably 1/2 of what it would take me to finish the 400. Oh ya I'm running a 700R4.

[ETsC10]

Personally, I've got a weakness for SB400's...awsome engines but you really have to make sure they
have a very good cooling system behind them. When they get bored larger, I don't know.

IMO-you can always buy a crate engine...one that's not "lightly used".
I can't imagine a performance engine over a month old being "lightly used".


BTW...going to move you over to the Engine folks that really know this stuff.

Subscribed.






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[gonnuts]

I'm going to have a new 4 core rad & the builder said they would machine the steam holes in my heads. Not to mention I don't live in AZ.

[Captainfab]

SB400's are my favorite also, so that would get my vote. That Fast burn 385 wouldn't be bad, but depending on just what 'lightly' used means. Also without the Fast Burn heads, and who knows what else he has robbed, you are going to be a bit less than the original 385hp with the cast Vortec heads. Of course this greatly depends on just what you want in an engine for your truck. It is going to be easier to make more power with the 400, and it will make more torque than the FB385, which is what you need to get a 4000lb brick moving.

[stich626]

I'd go with the fast burn..
it's only 15 cid from 400 without all the 400 issues..
he has vortec heads, did he, or will he machine them so they'll take a cam bigger than .480 lift?
also the fast burn crate has a ROLLER CAM.. the 400 will be over a grand to add one.
fast burn is the better deal..
have him machine the heads for a higher lift cam if not already done..
and remember you'll need a melonized gear on your hei..

[gonnuts]

Actually the 385 is how many hp it has with fb heads, it's actually a 350. It does have a roller cam I'm just not sure what one, if I go look @ it I will have to check for clearance issues. It is suppose to have the original dist. I agree with you captain on the 400 being a better choice because of the extra torque, but I believe the 350 with cast heads will actually produce more torque but less hp than with the fb heads, please correct me if I'm wrong. I think the 400 would be a great motor but the added 2 grand or more wasn't really in my budget for this spring.