400 engine?

[noff57]

I need to rebuild my 400. I was thinking about upgrading the cam carb headers. What do you guys recommend? And how much hp would these upgrade give the motor?

[1Bad70Charger]

While you are at it throw in a 440 source stroker kit and make her a 496 stroker making close to 600 Ponies! 

[RD]

my first question to you is this:

what do you want the engine to do for you?

[noff57]

Well RD I dont know much about building motors. But the car is just going to be a cruiser but when i want to have fun the power is there. But on thing i do know is i want to hear the lope. What would it take to get it in the 400 ponies range?

[Nacho-RT74]

you don't need to stroke it to get a powerfull 400. Just get the right pistons and some other stuff around an voila! you can get it on 380-430 HP ratio ( maybe little bit more ) fairly easy without spend BIG BUCKS. Thats a good jump from the stock 250-270 HPs

on a 400, PISTONS IS THE KEY!!! then the rest of toys like any other engine

you don't stroke every 383 or 440 around all the time... 400 are the same.

Not everything in the life is simply stroke buddies!

RD got the first question on the right track!

[nvrbdn]

get a pair of 383 closed chamber heads for her. pistons, cam and intake.

[noff57]

what pistons cam headers intakes do you guys suggest? 

[Nacho-RT74]

on the cheap, we have only one option... KB240. as far I remember and has been told, they are 0.100 higher than the stock piston. Suposelly after mill down the stock heads close to 84 cc ( stock are on 88-92 cc rate ) and metallic headgasket you can get a CR close to 9.5, what is VERY DECENT AND RESPECTABLE for an street car, gas pump and taking care of quench

then, you can get customs forged around ( diamond, ross )

another option, a low comp ( post 73 ) 440 cast flat top pistons on 0.020 size. Deck height would need to ve checked though. as far I remember they still sits a little bit down the hole ( something like  0.010 or 0.005 ) BUT block deck height will need to be checked anyway. KB240s suposelly sits 0.020 down the hole

heads, you can work your stock ones.... some porting, bigger valves, mill down job

Headers... I think shorties are preety much enough AND easy to get acces to starter motor

Intake... lot of ppl will be agreed on RPM performer or D4PB ( last one just on used market ). Advantage on the RPM performer on a BB againts the RB is, BB gets more clearence with hood to fit a regular air cleaner. Street dominator, also on used market it looks a good option. Lats one will allows you to fit the stock RV2 compressor if you have AC. The other ones not. Regular performer intake also allows you to fit the stock AC,m but this intake is pretty much an stock intake just in aluminium. Is an upgrade too though, but smaller step

Camshaft, anything from MP HP resto camshaft, and no more than 230 or maybe 234 duration at 050º if rest of combo is acomplished. Higher duration, more compression needed and more stall on converter... 2400 to 2800 stall

once again I'm thinking on a fairly driver car. I'm on same deal just keeping the outside look, so no headers for me or fancy intake. Simply the Performer.

Not an expert. Just what I have read.

[RD]

i built a 400 with kb240 pistons, open chambered 346 heads, forged crank (internally balanced), a summit cam 292/480 lift cam, dual plane intake, demon 850, headers with flowmaster exhaust, and 3.91 gears.  had it in my 87 ramcharger and 72 dodge charger.  ran really good, had a nice lope, and would burn the hides really easy.  closed chambered heads would have been a great addition though i never got around to the upgrade.

[noff57]

Did you guys ever have them put on a dyno? how much hp? torque?

[RD]

Did you guys ever have them put on a dyno? how much hp? torque?

no dyno runs, but I clocked a 8.91 1/8th mile in my charger. (about a 13.7 quarter)

[Nacho-RT74]

Did you guys ever have them put on a dyno? how much hp? torque?

I haven't been built mine yet... lot of laziness, out of animous, some sad... etc...

and not tools or money to pay for the definitelly build. I have everything bought though