Small Block & Big Block Chevy Specific Mouse & Rat Motor Discussion & Conversions

1971 SB400 Help

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Old Dec 29, 2008 | 12:33 PM
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Default 1971 SB400 Help

Hello everyone.... New member here looking for some help. I just came across a good condition 71 Caprice with the SB 400. I would like to improve the motor a bit but I’m not sure what way to go. Don't really want to go into the block just yet so I’m looking for bolt on's. From what I have heard so far is the ignition system is a weak link so I would like to upgrade it. Other than that I’m at a loss. I don’t know much about engines prior to LT1's and LS's so any help you all may provided will help a lot.
TIA!
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Old Dec 29, 2008 | 01:58 PM
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nice cam,performer rpm air gap,nice carb,MSD 6AL and new cap,rotor,coil and wires,long tube headers,mufflers,3.73 gears or 4.10,shift kit and thats it
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Old Dec 29, 2008 | 02:13 PM
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Really good info. Thank you... Any good recommendations for cam and carb? Didn’t really want to go into the bottom end just yet but if I’m able to swap the cam without a whole lot of hassle I’ll give it a shot.
TIA!
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Old Dec 29, 2008 | 02:18 PM
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The old comp cams 292 cam with .500/.500 lift and a 3000 converter, and 3.73's woke one of my old 400's up a while back.
This was with flat top pistons, 993 heads, perf rpm intake, 750 vac sec holley, headers, old factory HEI.

I had all the above, but just the cam swap took 1.5 seconds off the 1/4 mile ET.
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Old Dec 29, 2008 | 02:36 PM
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Again really good info gentlemen. So I guess heads and cam is the way to go huh? I really hate to tear into a engine with this low mileage just yet so I'll stick with good bolt on's until she blows or my pockets get a little deeper...LoL!
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Old Dec 29, 2008 | 03:35 PM
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Originally Posted by JayoSS
Again really good info gentlemen. So I guess heads and cam is the way to go huh? I really hate to tear into a engine with this low mileage just yet so I'll stick with good bolt on's until she blows or my pockets get a little deeper...LoL!
The 993 heads were stock on a lot of 400's. Either those or the 882's
As long as they have 1.94 intake valves, I've seen some castings with 1.72's

I was really pushing it back then, I was running that cam with the stock valvetrain and cheap springs.
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