SMALL BLOCK 400-THE OTHER GUYS SMALL BLOCK! HOW TO MAKE MORE HP WITH YOUR BIG-INCH SMALL BLOCK CHEVY

CAN A 400 CHEVY MAKE BIG POWER? DO CHEAP (LOW BUCK) INTAKES WORK AS WELL AS EXPENSIVE INTAKES? DOES A 400 SMALL BLOCK MAKE MORE THAN A 350? WHAT CAM SHOULD I RUN IN MY 400-INCH CHEVY? DO I NEEDED PORTED HEADS ON MY SMALL BLOCK 400? WHAT IS THE BEST CARB FOR MY SMALL BLOCK? HOW WELL DOES THE DART INTAKE WORK ON A SMALL BLOCK? WHY DON'T WE SEE MORE 400 SMALL BLOCK BUILDS? CHECK OUT THIS VIDEO WHERE I BUILT UP A 400-INCH SMALL BLOCK WITH A HOT HYDRAULIC ROLLER CAM, CNC-PORTED DART HEADS AND MATCHING INTAKE TOPPED OFF WITH A HOLLEY 950 CARB. i THEN SHOWED THE RESULTS OF CARB TUNING, A CAM SWAP (TO SOLID ROLLER) AND AN INTAKE SWAP. I ALSO INCLUDED A WILSON 4-HOLE TAPERED COMBO CARB SPACER TEST!

[@mcdonaldm73]

I still have fond memories of buying 400sbc's for $50 back in the early 90's. Nobody wanted them for fear of over heating. I've built probably a dozen over the years and LOVE them. So hard to find a complete core to build off of nowadays.

[@DiscoGreen]

Yes I paid 1k for a long block, sold the heads for 200 bucks put a skip white kit and 220 flotek heads on mine. I prob got 5k into it tho.

[@JimBronson]

Mid/late 80s for me doing the same, working in a machine shop as an apprentice. Agree the 400s aren't great in the trucks that they came in, but they are awesome in drag car, as far as SBCs go. 406s with the camel humps was what everyone in the know wanted. You could scrounge the camels pretty cheap in the junkyard also. That stuff, light porting job, decent intake, 280H cam, 750 DP or so, 4.10s in a light car like a 60s Nova or Chevy II, you could run in the 12s for not too much money if you had your stuff dialed in. Some guys who trailered their cars took 406s in the 10s but they were pretty radical. Nowadays having a street car doing 10s is no big deal, but back then it was, at least out in the sticks in rural America where I grew up. Moved on to the tech industry in the 90s and still working, getting closer to retirement every day. Maybe then I'll have the time to mess around with engines again. And live in the sticks, sick of this big city traffic.

[@DiscoGreen]

@JimBronson you and I share a lot alike brother. I started as a Vat Boy at Midwestern Motor Rebuilders in Tulsa then was grinding cranks and doing heads within a year after half a decade went to work at Dick Moritz shop on Admiral. He had the funny car St. Moritz, we made floaters for funny cars and did some radical engine work into late 80s and early 90s. I left in 95 to move to Dallas to work for 711 in tech then moved to development in 96 been a Sr software and firmware engineer since 2000 and still do. But I sure love motors. My 406 ain't fastest car but in a c3 vette that lost 500lbs it beat hellcats on motor at the track. Fun motor. Good times.

[@spectr3l_dabpen889]

I have a 1978 k20 Scottsdale with a 400 in it purs like a kitten

[@josephholland1987]

I just bought a .60 over block for $50 off fb marketplace 😊

[@MarcS-mp1je]

I had a 406 in my 69 Chevelle with AFR heads and a big ol comp cam, a built TH400 Manual automatic valve body trans, a 3500 stall converter and a 12 bolt rear with 4.10 gears. I used to pick up my kids from school and it and I park right in front where everybody was and when the kids got let out I’d start it up and scare people. I had a lot of fun with that combo.

[@richardsmith-qy6vl]

That's a nice 600+ hp combo very simple and affordable. Thanks for the video

[@alvingriggs6932]

We were putting 5.7 rods in these back in the late 70s grind one side of the rods keep from hitting the cam notch the block 462 heads big flat tapit ( SOLD LIFT ) bad ass combo

[@robertcarnes3451]

i run a 1971 small block 400 out of a brookwood wagon it runs well with the stock bore and cam. starts up immediately runs smooth it is in my 55 belair 308 gears amd muncy M20 transmission . I am very happy with the engine combo

[@curry10]

My Dad had a 1974 Chevelle (Malibu Classic) with a SB 400 from the factory. Drove it off the lot for $4200. All 190 Hp worth of American Muscle. He said he really wanted the Nova but it was $4700 😂😂

[@weskirkland5850]

How about a stock 400sbc long block with a cam and intake? roller cam upgrade since flat tappets as daily drivers are a liability these days. 91 gas if needed. Then do all that with basic head upgrade. We want daily drivers. The most power in a DD thats reliable.

[@joshuagarvey9362]

My junkyard 400 is no joke.Pulled the 2 bolt main block out of a station wagon back in the late 90’s.Junk yard find.Kept the block and tossed everything.This little AFR headed 406 is a FREAKEN BEAST! On the street.Them new mustangs/Camaro/dodges have there hands full when this old 68 comes rolling up to them on a light.🤩 rockstar time.This old 2800lbs 4’11 gears really gets the jump on them on the street.Send them home thinking WTF just happened.I beat the shit out of this motor and it pulls HARD all the way to 7500.Nothing wrong with this 2 bolt main ARP bolts.I just recently tore the motor down after 30 years to check everything and the bearings are good as new.The only thing I changed out after 30 years was heads.These AFR’s 195’s are now joke.Sitting at 11-1 there was no question as to what manifold to run back then and I still run it today.Ported Victor Jr.No need for a Dual plain.As they say would rather have it and not need it then need it and not have it. Top end is the finish.Plenty of torque down low already. if this motor wants more than 6500 RPMs, I’m gonna feed it more.😳.Knock on wood as I am saying it lol.

[@Inthefoxhole]

I called a highly reputable Machine shop the other day.Their dad was a NHRA legend back in the 60's thru 80's.He's passed away.The sons wont touch a stock 400 block theses days.Damn shame.

[@silverado9964]

@@Inthefoxhole that’s a shame .

[@strokermaverick]

I'm, 51. When, i was 17, i had a good friend, with a '76 c10. 400 sbc, mild cam, Rochester quadrojet. It, ran 9.0's, in 1/8 mile. Stock, rear gear. I learned, respect for sbc 400, decades ago.

[@Olds_Pwr]

For the ones that don't know, the Chevrolet 400 is actually 401 cubic inches. Another fun fact is the Pontiac 350 is actually 354 cubic inches.

[@ajperez7124]

Man this makes me want to build my 400 in my old k5! Great power potential

[@guyconnell2250]

"Truck guy" here. Be interesting to see a dual plane setup on this engine with various cams with LSA in range of 106 or 108.

[@DiscoGreen]

I spin my 817 cast 406 to 7 grand every pass. Still 2 bolt. Just a race pan.. Not even splayed. 220 flotek cnc heads Schnieder cam forged internals, weisco pistons, gapped for 300 shot. scat 9000 series crank, forged 6" scat rods..internal balanced link bar Howard's race lifters. Beating hellcats.

[@DiscoGreen]

I got my 817 block on marketplace.. $1k have a th400 with ATD rmvb and 4500 freakshow stall, next 400 I'll do a shp 427

[@DiscoGreen]

Yes I run a hp950 carb

[@mickmagnetta6264]

SBC 400 were in small dump and tow trucks. 1970, 1971 and 1972 400's are 4 bolt main block, i did SBC 400 with a large journal 350 crank and 2.02/1.6 086 heads, the 2 bolt blocks were rumored to be stronger. ive never any data on that.

[@shadvan9494]

the factory 4 bolt block have a tendency to crack in the main webs. they were thinner in that area compared to the later 2 bolt blocks. the hot ticket is a 2-bolt block converted to splayed 4 bolt caps. I have seen a few 400 4 bolts with cracks in the main webs especially in the center main web. on the passenger's side. I think it is caused by serval factors. 1. the thinner material of the 4-bolt block, 2, the crank is externally balanced with weights on the fly wheel and damper, if out of balance it with cause more stress on the center main cap and bearing, 3. the passenger side motor mount takes the most stress when you a full throttle and the engine is twisting under torque. also, around that time gm converted to the clamshell engine mounts and those are awful for wearing out and flexing under load. 4. the Siamese cylinder bores, they drilled steam hole in the decks to help alleviate the overheating issues that caused. but i think GM did a "just good enough" job to keep them from locking up and creating warranty issues. so, i suspect that uneven temps also is a factor in the cracking in the main webs. my understanding is that the later 2 bolt blocks are thicker castings. since GM had so many issues with the thin wall engine castings on the 70s era small bolds like 307, 262, 305. and low perf 350s.

[@troymecey]

They also came in the 70s Chevelle/Malibu and Monte Carlos. One of mine came from a 74 MC

[@mickmagnetta6264]

nice write up. TY@@shadvan9494

[@ldnwholesale8552]

NO 400 4 bolts made. 4oo blocks are all iron crank as well. Many 4" blocks have far thinner main webs than 4 bolt blocks, those blocks cannot be converted to 4 bolt. A good 2 bolt 010 block is pretty tough but those extra caps are always nice. @@shadvan9494

[@keithfilkins2043]

I have a factory 400 sbc,2 bolt main. I would like to build a street combination,nothing to radical for my 71 Nova. I had one in a 70 Monte Carlo many years ago and it was awesome, at 45-50 mph it would break the tires loose! Anywho, love your video's, thanks for doing what you do!!!

[@scotttimpany2845]

Love the green station wagon with wood on the sides. Brings back lots of memories

[@jamesandannschmitt6835]

My favorite combo was a 377 destroyed 400. Broad flat torque curve and crazy acceleration rate

[@JimBronson]

Destroked you meant? lol. I built one of those one time for a corner burner. It loped harder than a 406 with my favorite cam back then (late 80s) but I never really saw it put to use beyond that, it was for a customer.

[@edpetrocelli2633]

I`ve taken them down to 352cid for circle track application, they were impressive, now only modifieds allow it

[@lesliesimoson8124]

The 377 was my absolute favorite engine I ever owned in my 69 nova. It had 13.5.1 comp, 650 solid roller, brodix track 1s 227 cc heads, edelbrock victor Jr intake and a bg 850. That car ran like a rapped ape! 7500 shifts no problem, and 10.20 on motor.

[@cedricwilson2055]

I’d never destroke a 400. Small motor never won an emc challenge

[@EtxSmokeshow]

Last 400 I built was 10 years ago. AFR heads, Isky solid roller. Made 613 on pump 93. Could cruise it on the highway.

[@jayhart2203]

what size afr?

[@robertmiller7481]

I've ran 400's for a few years now and they are tough, just watch what you are doing and you can have a little monster in sheep's clothing, 400 4 ever!!!!

[@rapson672]

I have a 400 4 bolt main complete engine that came out of a Impala with the 400 turbo trans. Back in the late 80s I picked up a set of ported & polished Humpback heads. I took it apart & gunked it at the quarter wash and put it back together and ran it daily until the car was junk and pulled it. G.M. was the last to machine this when made. 4 SALE. Should still be meaty ! I'm near Fort Wayne Indiana.

[@Gregoman89]

Where is The Old Man’s Garage? He loves these things

[@semmble2k7]

I got one out of an 84 k10 that I scrapped! Obviously not the original engine, or tans for that matter, gonna build it to swap into my 81 K2500

[@derekdeckens2559]

A 406 was the first engine i ever built and i loved it. Vortec 5.7" rods, slight dish pistons for 9.1:1 compression, iron vortec heads and a comp 268H cam with a GM disk plane and a 650 double pumper. I swapped a lot of iron on a small budget and traded an old car for machine work. That motor was a ton of fun and had a lot of untapped potential still. Lots of torque and decent horsepower also.

[@cedricwilson2055]

Slight dish, big dish. To get 9.0 compression

[@PatandDoopypoopy]

I about copied your combo - but I ran dual planes for street and isky 282 hyd Mega cam gave the 400 a nice hotrod idle and also wicked midrange torque (and that cam worked well with budget friendly Z28 type single springs. (Our oval track 400 we ran a victor single plane, solid cams, etc). Love me 400's

[@hardball107]

I stocked up on 400's 30 years ago when people were throwing them away for blowing head gaskets. I have built 2 of them now using MLS head gaskets and 062 Vortec heads and the last with a Chevy Hot Cam with LS6 springs. Dropped it into a '74 Nova hatch with a rebuilt 200r4 and a 3.73 posi. Long story short I never had to twist it over 6000 and very few times it has seen tail lights. Traction seems to be my biggest problem and running it in the quarter low 12's are the norm which puts it faster than 95% of what's out there and cash outlay was penny's compared to the competition.

[@JimBronson]

This is how we did them back in the day in the 80s, except with camel humps and usually 4.10s. Vortecs were just a twinkle in some engineer's eye back then. Cam selection was not as good and people weren't really running the 4 speed autos in those days, usually built Turbo 400s with a 3000-3500 stall were the norm. But still with a lighter car like a Nova you could get into the 12s if you had your stuff dialed in. The Hot Cam is a nice cam for the street and makes great power for the duration and lift it has, pisscutter performance on KZbin made 400+ HP on a mildly refreshed L31 with that cam.

[@spankitout]

We all love the Big Power at the end , but over the years i have found on the street lower end is always fun .

[@eeatem]

Great video!! I ran a 406 for years. AFR 227 11.8 to 1. Ran 93 octane. Bullet 257/263 cam. 10.50's all day in a 3600 # 5 speed Camaro..Interesting how the speedmaster intake didnt preform tho..i have one on a large sbc. Seems ok but it is ported tho.. Keep the videos coming!!

[@ldnwholesale8552]

Speedmaster work?? seldom!!

[@JimBronson]

Wow 257/263 even in a 406 is a lot of cam. I guess the 5 speed helped. Did you drive it on the street or track only?

[@eeatem]

@@JimBronson street. Still do with different Cam and heads runs 10. 1 at 134 LOL

[@eeatem]

@@ldnwholesale8552 Speedmaster is on a 406 on the street and seems to be better than the Dual plane but never dynoed it to see if it actually makes more physical power than a really good intake it was a cheap alternative

[@scotthultin7769]

22👍's up Richard thank you for sharing 😮🎉😂

[@charlesroyal2357]

I have built 5 love the big bore breathing have never had heating problems 2circle track 3 streat have a 421 that i built in 94 in my 77 k15 4x4 got close to 180000 never ever above 200 temp no oil use betwen service im a crower hyd roller guy have never had a problem

[@1mrowens2]

I've been waiting for this thanks Richard 🎉🎉🎉

[@CruisinWithKevin]

I’ve had mine stock rods stock crank with a cam and bolt ons since 2000 and until recently (always changing combos) it has been reliable driving couple hundred mile trips to the track etc.

[@salvatoregiovanni8967]

For anyone wondering, the early model C10 truck he shows was never equipped with a 400 SBC despite the front fender callout saying 8-400. It was actually a big block. Just fyi.

[@briand2614]

Met a guy from Florida in the early 80’s when I used to drag race. He talked about using basically stock 400’s with a cam and bolt on mods for bracket racing. They were very popular down there as I assume they were cheap and readily available. If it broke they just threw in another one. As others have mentioned here they did have a bad rep for overheating, but I’m not convinced that was deserved. I think the problem was that when they did overheat they were more likely to incur a blown head gasket, where as a non-Siamese bore Small Block might survive it.

[@joedavis845]

Love the video any other 400sbc video’s available would be great. I run one in my 70 chevelle. It runs great for what it is and I have 3 more blocks in the garage for the future.

[@JimBronson]

That's smart, the 400 blocks are not as common as they used to be. You could pick them up for a song in the 80s.

[@hangfire6368]

I picked up a 400 block that was hot tanked and coated with preservative about 15 years ago for $200. Standard bore still. I'd like to do a mild build for a C10. AFR 180s, AFR dual plane, Hyd roller: Duration @ .050 (Int/Exh): 218/228 ;Gross Valve Lift (Int/Exh): .503/.503 ;LSA/ICL: 112/108. NV4500 5 speed would be my choice for a driver. I'd stick with vacuum secondary carb, HEI, stainless headers. Probably a Scat rotating assembly with a cast crank.

[@gordocarbo]

Or try the afr vortec 190s and thier intake. Overlooked heads that make big tq

[@troymecey]

Your build is similar to the 406 I'm building. Mine is using the same cam , only ground on a 112 ls and small base circle. Dart IE 215 heads and a Victor Jr intake. I plan on running a progressive shot of n2o up to 250hp.

[@firstcurrency7585]

I would like see this 400 small block under boost might good power

[@adambatchelder4121]

I run a 400 in my 4wd, love the torque over a 350.

[@novapat67]

Maybe I missed it, but I am a little surprised you didn't try 1 7/8" headers. Seems like it would be a good fit given the displacement and rpm. Awesome video!

[@richardholdener1727]

WE DIDN'T HAVE BIGGER HEADERS

[@subzero18851]

Do you think 1 7/8 headers would make more power? I want to build a similar 406, but I would like to run 1 7/8 headers but they are hard to find...

[@johnparrish9215]

I sure wish you had tested a Tunnel Ram on it, it would make the midrange come alive.

[@andrewdenmark145]

As always great content I would love to see a 377 vs 406 video can’t hardly find any info online or on KZbin about this debate if I’ve learned anything from ur videos is that there is no replacement for displacement but I know people that have ran both that claim the 377 is dominant by revving up quicker and get into power quicker I’d like to see it settled once and for all

[@richardholdener1727]

they rev at the same speed on the dyno-a 400 makes more

[@thman6453]

I would love to see a comparison with the 400 big block

[@ldnwholesale8552]

Everything is bigger and heavier in a big block. Heads flow more so power is more.

[@lelandwise3478]

Just read an article on that subject. Both engines were built to same specs cam, compression etc. The big block beat the small one by about 40 hp and 40tq maybe a touch more or less but around that amount. They were very mild builds 450hp avrg. A little more for the rat and killed little less for the mouse 🐁.

[@TheRacingMemes]

Test any destroked version of 400: the 377ci - 400 pistons w/ 350 crank the 347ci - 400 pistons w/ 327 crank and 6in rods and the 321ci - 400 pistons w/ 302 crank and 6in rods All forged (pistons, rods and crank) and afr heads if you can

[@richardholdener1727]

westech has a 372 DART-they have more than 1500 pulls on it

[@gordocarbo]

@@richardholdener1727 Id love to have Steve fine tune my 67 Camino...$ has eluded me for a fewyrs

[@scottm7341]

I worked in a machine shop in 1982-83 and took apart many 400's. I did see cracks, but in every case the cracked ones were poorly maintained, with blocks full of rust and vent holes plugged with rust. It's too bad chevy never made a performance 400. With better heads a 400 could have outperformed a 396 bbc for 150 lbs less.

[@takeit2-11]

Impressive power! That thing would be nuts with a turbo! turbo magnum! turbo magnum! turbo magnum!

[@tenorhowlermonkey3454]

I'm okay with being that other guy in this case. Love the SBC stuff!

[@andrewinsinga2993]

My Dad had a 1975 chevy Impala station wagon and it had a 400 small block with a 4 barrel q- jet carb

[@chevyrc3623]

Oh wow nice Dyno on a 400 not a lot of people do 400 SBC stuff but that's pretty cool. And I noticed you have a 110 LSA I wonder if you did 106 LSA on it I wonder if it would gain more torque but hey cool testing I really like 400 stuff

[@zAvAvAz]

Hey try this: 350 block dart or other. 4.040" finished bore size bore notch clearanced for intake valve clearance and stock spec 9.025" finished deck height. 3.93" stroke forged crank. Ported Project X215 ported heads VERSUS Brodix STS 1 227CC cnc heads. 4.060" gasket .039" squished measured. 5.85" stoker scat rods. 1.210" piston worked to 8cc flat top. Combustion chambers from 64cc worked to final 70cc for target compression of 10.58:! XR294HR cam with 4&7 swap with 106*LSA. PRW 1.65 roller rockers. Custom sized headers. Victor JR intake with tapered 4 hole 1" spacer adapter to dominator carb. The other 403 c.i. small block chevy stroker.

[@702couch]

Just swapped the engine in my square body. Pulled the number on my old block and was very surprised to see its a 400 sbc. I was under the impression that is was a 305 as that's what the vin called out. Now I get to build a 400.

[@richardholdener1727]

congrats on the 400

[@paulthompson1654]

West tech did a DART 400 build 215 as cast heads ,,830cfm carb 242/248 HR cam made 523 hp

[@getawayperformance]

love the 400, my buddy is building a few 400 SBC right now. thanks!

[@kellyheath8547]

if you are going to an aftermarket block the 4.125 bore is a no brainer. if only a SBC head could flow like a good oval port BBC. seems the junkyard 400 2 bolt mains would be great as hydraulic roller for a street car. A 67 short bed with a 400 and a turbo 400 could have a mild stall and still move out pretty well.

[@JimBronson]

You can get more exotic SBC heads that will flow pretty high numbers but they require a number of compromises with manifolds and valvetrain components, as you probably know. And $$$$

[@Techangler65]

Yes love the 400. I wish I never sold mine 😢

[@faustthehammer8706]

I have a factory 817 block 400 .040 over small dome top splayed 4 bolt mains. 13.6 compression and 18° brodix cnc heads solid roller no issues makes 700 hp n/a no problem it's just a 396 chevy in a sbc basically. So power and torque potential were there if you mod them factory 882 with small valves hideous cam profile and 7.8-1 compression made them turds fix that and have a solid block its a runner

[@russelljackson7034]

Right on

[@edpetrocelli2633]

I loved those 400`s nobody wanted them and they were cheap. Truly no substitute for Cubic inches. They were so detuned in the cars they came in they got a bad rep. I built one for a high school kid and put a big hydraulic flat tappet cam in it with a set of those old 292 casting heads and he whooped every hot rod in his school then we took it to Carlsbad drag strip and it ran 12.20`s with a 308 gear ratio. I`m still using the 4.125 bore new blocks from dart usually a 4 inch stroke with cheap chinese heads making 600 to 650 hp no problem

[@JimBronson]

That is awesome! The 400 blocks were the hot ticket when I was a teenager in the 80s and that's exactly how we did them, camel humps with a big hydraulic flat tappet.

[@gordocarbo]

Neighbor of mine in the 80s had the same engine in his 65 Camino. Roasted them in 2nd and 3rd gear while pulling hard I was impressed. Never built a small motor again.

[@gordocarbo]

Need Dulcich to bring you a dodge 400 and see what could be done wiht it. Never seen one built. Ford 400 too. Nice vid Im about convinced to get a tapered 1 in to replace my open....ported team G 383 230cc ported dart Isky 294r sr

[@Wilson_Racing]

I have the 2 bolt main high nickel "509" casting 400sbc from a 70s chevy truck in my Camaro on Holley EFI. Its a torque monster with cheap (but good) aluminum heads, mild XE274H cam and single plane air gap manifold. Runs high 12s in a full weight car

[@alleyoop1234]

I have seached extensively, and have found absolutely NO concrete evidence of any high nickel SBC's...

[@Wilson_Racing]

@@alleyoop1234 then you're not in the right place

[@Wilson_Racing]

@@alleyoop1234 in 10 seconds I can google search "high nickel 400sbc" and get tons of results. You probably didnt even look because its literally right there for everyone to see online

[@Thumper68]

⁠@@alleyoop1234​​⁠​⁠yeah it’s pretty much a myth. Some year blocks are just thicker better castings in reality look at the thickness difference around outside of the block on common comparable areas like freeze plugs etc. some blocks are thin some are thicker. Here’s a good video from a guy who’s been around knows his stuff showing it. kzbin.info/www/bejne/f6mUn6KEo8SDY9Usi=XCEVgAZZGr2kSTCD

[@gordocarbo]

@@alleyoop1234 Its a myth....higher tim maybe but theres no "specfial" 010 blocks. That just showed where they were cast lol

[@peggyparrow2059]

People did not realise, you cant put 400 ci. Behind a radiator for a 283, yeah it will over heat, also they run them without thermostat, etc, you have 400 ci in a case that was designed for a 265, chevys 1st. V8, the outside of the motor never changed much, just inside, needs big radiator,schroud,etc.

[@cedricwilson2055]

Ran one with a stock 307 rad in a 69 AC car nova. Stock fan and shroud, Edelbrock water pump, stock pullies. No problem overheating.

[@pizzandoughnutspage7817]

There’s only one cam…solid roller! Still have a 509 block in storage, just finished a Dart Little M 400, 680hp NA with a large TR! With SRH heads should go 730+! #23degreebadass

[@atheplummer]

Torque Vs. Horsepower debate: I've always looked at it as Torque is the ability to make work happen. Horsepower is the ability to keep that work happening. So, to my mind, good torque will get you moving, and horsepower will carry you to the end. In a particular acceleration race (drag racing), its all about traction and acceleration. You'll make up more time from zero to 60 foot by launching faster (providing you can maintain traction), than you will make up time on the big end of the track with speed. But in a perfect world, you'd want both... So, it's always a 'balance' between torque and horsepower to get the best time. Steve Brule' always says that to maximize "pull" (maximum acceleration is to get your transmission gear changes to fall just to peak torque, and shift to the next gear when you reach maximum horsepower). I couldn't agree more. Most drag racing gear changes are within 1000RPM. So, if your engine crates its peak torque at 5000 rpm, and peak HP at 6000 rpm. that's where you want your 'operating RPM range' to be. So, you need to gear your transmission to accommodate that characteristic of your engine. If your engine has a 2000 RPM split between peak torque & HP, gear accordingly. My dad always said that if you let the nose of your car fall over, you hung on to that gear too long. Your nose should never fall. That was his way of explaining what I described above.

[@richardholdener1727]

racers don't run their motors from peak torque to peak hp for maximum acceleration, they run them past peak hp to equal the most average hp production

[@richardsmith-qy6vl]

Great video Richard I just bought a 406 short block the other day and my plans are pretty much the same combo with the solid roller it's got good pistons and crank I just need to get some good rods for it. Also it's a GM 509 block so I'm going to have my buddy put 4 bolt main splayed caps on it.

[@barrykilts4506]

I have the 509 & 511 and leave the 509 2 bolt after buying the 4 bolt caps.unless you’re going with crazy hi hp it’s isn’t needed.

[@andrewdenmark145]

Do y’all’s 509 blocks have two freeze plugs and no boss for a third like a 350?

[@badhabits77]

This is cool. I just watched your video on the 400M. Anyway you could edit together a 3 way 400 block shootout? Chevy vs Pontiac vs Ford, Stock vs all out (heads, cam, intake, etc, no boost or all get boost?).

[@19novA68]

I own one 1970 400 4bolt main .. You can find them inside the 70-73 Chevy Impala

[@TurboDog73TX]

400 SBC = the BEST SBC, ever. Fight Me. And the reason You almost never see them in Junkyards is they've been highly sought after forever and a day, and their low production numbers vs. all the other, much lesser SBC's. 4.125“+ bore FTW.

[@JimBronson]

When I was a teenager in the 1980s it was easy to find them in the junkyard as all the 70s trucks were getting retired, and everyone was so worried about overheating in truck apps that they replaced them with 383s if they went for a rebuild. They are the best stock block SBC for the dragstrip hands down.

[@martyjohnsonozarkoutdoors8198]

Bigger bore will help with airflow too. And more airflow makes more powwwer

[@RealJohnnyGuillotine]

I've always destroked it using a 283 crank to the 400sbc then have the block bored to a 406 (didn't want to go too deep.) Boost her to the moon... But you gotta tinker timing and fuel... It twisted the Sonoma truck she sat in, was awesome till I realized I was having more work.

[@Anarchy-Is-Liberty]

@@RealJohnnyGuillotine What?

[@tracybrowner5121]

I flip my brother nova with one of tgese beast, thank you. I bought this block last month ready to everything in this engine. Already got aluminum head that was on a 406, but this will get a supercharger 177 is on my mind. Anything advice will be greatly appreciated, specially the piston. You say i go.Going in a 91 s10. 700 r4 transmission

[@richardholdener1727]

what is your question?

[@mariopetrucco5602]

Picked up a unmolested 400 sb a few months ago, gonna make it a stroker and got some afr 225 cnc heads for it and a nasty cam. Gonna see what will do in my Monza coupe hopefully next year. Got a 383 in it at the moment. Factory block so I hope it will stay together.

[@gordocarbo]

421?Great bore stroke combo

[@peggyparrow2059]

You are about 30 to 40 years to late to find a 400 sbc, and David Visard said to run the cam at about a 106 lsa depending on valve size, use his formula !

[@patrickmoore1017]

Fantastic build

[@gordocarbo]

FOund a lot of imported knock off intakes' runners to be smaller than the USA one they copied internally. Wish HOlley still made the 300-36 loved that thing.

[@miguelhinojosa73]

i see 400 sbc on impalas 70' here on chicago area 20 years ago .

[@chrisreynolds6520]

Look in the G Vans from 75 to 80, especially the campers. 400 was very common in them.

[@strokermaverick]

Liked and subscribed! Many month's ago!😊

[@HioSSilver1999]

Had a 400 *406 in my k5. They're nasty and it don't take much to make them that way. It broke up everything in my k5....even spun the pumpkin on the axle tubes.

[@matthewvarnam4302]

Couldn't you use a Pontiac 400" cubic inch engine or would that give you different Dyno results.

[@JayDee-bz2ge]

In all the videos here, I never see RH talking about the ECU running the system. Options, cost, limitations, etc... I would like to see some videos on that side of the build. I'm probably not alone here...

[@richardholdener1727]

you want to see ecu limitations on a carbureted small block?

[@alleyoop1234]

Just a couple weeks ago I pulled a 400 out of a 1979 motorhome. It was pinged to death with one top ring land missing. It is low mileage .060" over though, not sure if I should build it because of that

[@ejm406]

I’d like to see this with a dual plane manifold.

[@brandonrohrer7914]

Lets see the number 400 sbc vs 400ci ls. But show cam differences side by side. Both should be carbed.

[@andyharman3022]

Yeah, the new L8T truck engine is 400 cubic inches. The LS/LT based 400 would win, just based on the great heads that are available for them. No small block head from back in the day even comes close.

[@RyTrapp0]

Ayy Richard, surely we're going to have to have a SBC 400 and an SBF 400 comparison at some point, right? Would be interesting, considering how much of an oddball the Ford is, with it's small block 4.280 bore spacing combined with a big block 10.300" deck height. REALLY limited in intake options though of course, there is at least an Edelbrock and a Weiland option.

[@travisartis5141]

2 different animals Ford 400 is more of a big block

[@regal105]

My favourite SBC

[@raystevens687]

Well did also use the Terminator fuel injection Carburetor on this engine.

[@BobHoehn218]

If I could go back in time, I'd save the SBC 400 from my friend's Impala station wagon and the "Stroker 351" 400 SBF from my Country Squire. Boost would've helped both of them.

[@ldnwholesale8552]

400 Ford do a good job dragging around 2 ton cars. But will not take any serious modification. 3" mains amomg many other things is the issue. And yes I own one. Better engine as a stocker than 400 Chev though as it is far bigger with 6.55" rods, 400 Chev is 5.6" rod

[@peggyparrow2059]

Wonder what the torque would be if cam had 106 lobe separation?

[@roykrossin8343]

Still have a block from my Monte Carlo. Supercharger makes it hum --“

[@danieleckert4027]

Well there goes the price of 400’s, I’m glad I got a block, 2 bolt main that I’m going to machine for 4 bolt splayed

[@cedricwilson2055]

They been high, someone paid 1000 for a stock used long block

[@PeggyParrow]

Somesome body please donate a good, well centered , 400 chevy block, so Richard can run his own test on it, maybe have him hard block the water jackets, run big heads, big roller cam etc and go for 700 hp.?

[@richardholdener1727]

this was already a good block-not interested in making 700 hp from a 400 (expensive race motor territory)

[@edwardwood3622]

Yes!

[@Mr.Frost181]

That is exactly how much horsepower I wanna make on my 400sbc is 560hp and I'm good

[@georgedreisch2662]

400’s from GM in the 70’s were prone to overheating / water circulation problems, with their early Siamese bore blocks, weak main webs, etc., aggravated further, by castings quality issues. Many of these ended as scrap, as the expense of rebuilding, if there was a rebuildable core, weren’t, due to the expense and availability of 400’s unique parts, and were commonly replaced with less expensive “Target Master” crate long blocks and motors. Ultimately, many of the vehicles they could be found in turned into colanders, or were sucked up by scrappers, along with those “engines under the bench”.

[@Frankmjcsmm]

So let’s see the whole thing again, only with boost…… from maybe two/three different sources…….that would make more of us smile…….

[@richardholdener1727]

THE BLOWER STUFF IS UP

[@joe-hp4nk]

I would still go with a big block just for the extra torque.

[@carlzalesski2975]

I have 3 great engines

[@justinschmidt9180]

Theres nothing other guys about any chevy sir

[@tonybuck5252]

400 was the best bang for the buck u could ask for.

[@straighttimestirrups]

I’m curious why the Dyno charts always seem to start at 3-4000 RPM. It seems to be in the real world of a street engine it would be nice to see what a chart says from off idle all the way to redline. If the answer is: We are rolling on the throttle at idle to 3-4000 rpm, I’m sure the Dyno is sophisticated enough to list the throttle position at a given RPM. Anyway, it would be nice to have you do a series of videos at least on a few engines at least demonstrating this process.

[@richardholdener1727]

You are never at wot at idle or even off idle-the start and end speeds can be programmed

[@straighttimestirrups]

@@richardholdener1727 I understand that, but part throttle hp/tq is beneficial to know as well. I guess what I’m getting at is it would be a cool video to have you do a Dyno Run showing the numbers you can achieve at part throttle from idle to max achievable rpm in 1/8th throttle increments. As an example, set a throttle stop up where you limit the full throttle travel in 1/8th increments and see what hp/tq & rpm are achievable at 1/8, 1/4, 3/8’s etc. I have never seen this done and it would truly show real world drivability potential for each engine tested.

[@richardholdener1727]

you don't demonstrate drivability on an engine dyno-but I have part throttle test video up

[@josephbrownjr3564]

I had a 400 4 bolt that was destroked to 377. Modified SB2 heads, 13.5:1, retarded cam with all the lift and over 300 degrees of duration (meaning that it’s been 25 years and I don’t remember the specs). And I would shift it at 10,200rpm in my 1987 Monte Carlo with a Liberty 4 speed and a 9 inch with 4.00 gears. There’s no other sound in the world that compares to a push rod engine revving like a RB26

[@gordocarbo]

sb2.2 my dream engine. Not happening on fixed income though. lol Your mill sounds badazz

[@Paul-e9w]

Had one in a Jag xj 6 hard starting when hot went through starter motor