400's are they any good?

I'm not sure why you would need to go to 8000 rpm's?

here's my 400 based engine.
Shift around the 6800 rpm range.
Car runs 9.50's


They can handle HP in the 800 range.

400 Based? Is i a 400 or not? Not really helpfulto the guy looking to keep it a 400, but note worthy non the less.

Needsaresto; With using old 383 small chamber heads I was really talking about ways to take a stock 400 short block and try to build a dirt cheap motor that makes modest power. Its part of the debate about getting good power without getting a stroker kit and having all the machine work on the block. 25 years ago when I had very little money I did things like this all the time and street raced the hell out of junky combinations. One thing is for sure, trying to make good power with sub 9 to 1 comp and 400 or less cubes is not easy without power adders. You can't just throw in a big cam and expect it to work. I have no plans of throwing together any junk motors now so the post was only meant to be helpful to anyone who is doing this sort of thing.


On the cheap is a great thing to look into. It really helps those of us that have shalllow pockets but a great yearning to do something rather than sulk, moan and wish apon stars. Nevermind stroking it!

Everyone is so quick to scream stroke it or dump it in favor of a bigger engine. Such a shame.