Recommended Intake/Carb? 400 - 451

[Charger1973]

My car has the stock 400 in it now, the factory 2bbl carb is in need of a rebuild.  I decided i'll just buy a new intake and carb and forget about putting money into rebuilding that junk.  One day it will be a 451 and I dont want to have to buy an intake and carb twice, so I would prefer a setup that will work for both.... 

Can anyone give me some advice on what to buy?  I like the Edelbrock/Carter style carbs and even though I do have a stock 4bbl intake I could use, I prefer to get an aluminum one. 

[Ghoste]

I love the Carters too but if you plan to go with a stroker soon and you want the best performance go with a Street Dominator and a Holley 750.

[Nacho-RT74]

personally, will never change the TQ option for a while you get a good one... price againts cfm is the best relationship

of course I'm agree is hard to get one perfect.

[Heck2G14]

RPM performer Intake and a Proform 750DP carb. This combo will handle future builds

[supserdave]

I agree with Heck, definitely room to grow...Or maybe a 6 pack

[Ghoste]

Are you beginning to think you are going to get a lot of different (and all valid) answers to this one? 

[jg68]

I agree with Ghoste, The street dom. & a 750dp or Proform will work great , believe me when i say this, you'll play hell trying to kill off the torque on that 451, i know first hand, even the M1 single will work & not hurt much, but you can't beat the SD

[Charger1973]

I love the Carters too but if you plan to go with a stroker soon and you want the best performance go with a Street Dominator and a Holley 750.

I figured I would get lots of different aswers but most seem to agree on this combo so far.  I wonder what im looking at spending to do this with new parts?  You guys dont think this will be too much for the stock 400? 

[41husk]

I have an M1 I took off my 440 because it was to tall to accomodate my ram charger set up.  I would be willing to part with it, if you decide to go that direction.

[Charger1973]

I have an M1 I took off my 440 because it was to tall to accomodate my ram charger set up.  I would be willing to part with it, if you decide to go that direction.

I dont want to go overkill, but if it will work good with my 400 and future 451 thats a possibility...  I just dont know much about this stuff.   Would it fit under a standard bulge hood?  I'll get a regular bulge hood eventually.  I have a flat hood right now, id probably have to cut a hole to get this hood to close over that intake, wouldnt you think?  Ive got plenty of flat hoods around though, so I have no problem cutting one of those up if I need to. 

[Charger1973]

I see the Performer RPM intakes for sale in catalogs but no Street Dominators other than SB Chevy.  Are they still available?  If so, where? 

Also while looking at carbs, I realized that I dont know whether I need mechanical or vacuum secondaries?

[Ghoste]

Street Dominator for a low deck has not been available for some time, you have to go used on that.  If you are running an automatic, the vacuum secondary one will be a little easier on fuel and simpler to live with and give nearly the same performance.

[Charger1973]

Street Dominator for a low deck has not been available for some time, you have to go used on that.  If you are running an automatic, the vacuum secondary one will be a little easier on fuel and simpler to live with and give nearly the same performance.

So im assuming Performer RPM intake be a good alternative?

Ok here is where it gets tricky.  I AM running an automatic but someday I MIGHT go with a manual trans.   

[Ghoste]

The Performer RPM would be a very good alternative.  You will find support for both versions but if it were me, I'd just put the vacuum one on for now.

[Charger1973]

The Performer RPM would be a very good alternative.  You will find support for both versions but if it were me, I'd just put the vacuum one on for now.

Thanks man.  Is this the right carb?? 

http://holley.com/0-80508S.asp

[Ghoste]

Sure, that'll work. 

[Charger1973]

Ok I have changed my direction a little bit.  Here is what I am looking at now...  Would these work well together with a 400 and a 451? 

Edelbrock Performer RPM intake and Edelbrock Thunder Series 800 CFM carb   

[Ghoste]

Yes, very well.

[firefighter3931]

Yes, very well.

The RPM dual plane or street dominator would be a good choice. On the 400 engine the RPM will make slightly better tq due to the dual plane design and the short stroke of the 400 engine. 



Ron

[Charger1973]

Great thanks guys.  Looks like I have my mind made up! 

[Chryco Psycho]

I would use a bigger carb 850 CFM or so to allow for the extra CI later on

[Charger1973]

I would use a bigger carb 850 CFM or so to allow for the extra CI later on

I dont think they make one that big in these carbs do they?

[Charger1973]

By "these carbs" I mean the Edelbrock Thunder series.

[Chryco Psycho]

no , that is why I don`t use them

[Charger1973]

I went ahead with the Edelbrock stuff.   I got a Performer RPM intake and Thunder series 800 cfm with manual choke.