Thread: rebuilding a 400 chevy small block for street performance

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I need help i'm rebuilding my first engine. I dont know what parts i can get the most performance out of, and im hoping you all can help me. In the end i would like to hit at least 500 hp. So if you all can tell me the best choice for valves, headers, heads, intake, etc. i would really appreciate it. I want to build it right not just slap it together. The block is a 1977 and in good shape. Hopefully someone can reply Thanks.

Get yourself a set of AFR Heads for starters. I don't think to many people sill disagree with me on that. (Hopefully).

I am a firm believer in using combinations that are engineered to work together. There are a number of companies in the market that are doing this, offering various compbinations, some in stages that can be added to or built upon to achieve the level of performance you can afford or desire. Some of the companies are Edelbrock, Crane, PAW and Holley. There are several others as well. Do a google search on Performance Engine comninations, or variations of that theme to find them. Call the companies up and give them specifics of what you want to accomplish, how you will drive your car, what ties and suspencion you will have etc. Just saying I want 500 horsepower really does not give much to go on. In my opinion it is much better to take advantage of the research and development done by these kinds of comapnies than to try and mix and match from various sources. I realize this may not be the sort of specifics you are hoping for but that is my suggestion.

Good luck

Pat

Originally posted by cruisin65-SS
I need help i'm rebuilding my first engine. , In the end i would like to hit at least 500 hp. I want to build it right not just slap it together. Hopefully someone can reply Thanks.

Do you intend to use this motor in your 65 impala? Are you going to drive it on the street?Does your car have everything else to go with 500hp?Can you afford gas at 3 to 4 dollars per gal for premium or racing fuel? That's what it's likely to be by the end of this summer. How do you like 6 to 10 miles per gallon?

Do what you like ,but for my first motor I would be a lot less comcerned about 500hp and a lot more concerned about building a good 400, 9.5 compression or less that ran good,that I could drive anywhere I wanted on pump gas,with reasonable mileage.

When you read the articles in all the major magazines,( and these guys are experts) ,you dont see many building street 400s putting out 500hp.
I guess its just a matter of what you want and how much money you have. Think it out before jumping in with both feet.

Good Luck!

Im actually hoping to put the engine in a 69-70 nova, and your right the gas prices would be pretty bad on it, and when it comes to the money part its gonna be a piece here and a piece there, i will look around like you said pat, and thanks for the choice of heads blwn31

p.s. The 500 hp is just what im wishin for i'll be happy to hit upper 300 to lower 400