Anybody feel like clearing this up? Which cam and lifters?

I respectfully disagree pishta, I have never seen a 400hp LA build with 1.88 valves.

I'm not saying it's impossible, but I think the valves and seats are not good places to make compromises.

Phil, Bottom line for a 400hp 360ci build.

Stock heads. 2.02/1.6 Valves. light bowl blend.
High rise dual plane manifold (performer RPM, Air gap etc)
750CFM four barrel carb

Hydraulic camshaft should have approx 228-233 degrees duration @ .050" lift.
107-109 lobe separation angle.
.475"-.525 lift (that's with 1.6 rockers)

In all honesty I would ask a cam manufacturer about cam specs. they will ask you a bunch of questions and then give you a suggestion.

they usually know what they're talking about, so take their advice seriously. (Don't get enthusiastic and decide to over cam your motor!)

9.5:1 compression should be fine. Keep in mind you will need to measure this accurately with a beurette, Thick perspex and a dial indicator.

Regarding compression ratio, do NOT rely on manufacturer's advertised specifications. they will be wrong wrong wrong.

You'll need headers and a free flowing exhaust



Don't expect it to make 400hp from the word go, you'll need to tune it.

A large number of people assume their engine makes *** horsepower because the parts they used to build it are the same as they saw in a magazine or the same as someone else had in a fast car, that's foolish IMO.

An engine can easily fall short of it's potential. sometimes as much as 125hp down short at peak in a street strip car. this is often due to running an out of the box carb and distributor. it's actually reasonably common.

A motor can run perfectly smooth with plenty of punch below 4000RPM and still sound like a cammed up monster. The owner is often blissfully ignorant and happy to boast about the parts inside.

I also recommend the book "How to hot rod Small Block Mopars" by Larry Shepard.