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

396 BBC or 400 SBC?

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Old Jun 16, 2009 | 11:30 AM
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Default 396 BBC or 400 SBC?
Ive been looking for a 400 SBC to replace my 350 on my 81 toyota bog truck. I cant find a 400 within 150 miles of me but i did find a 396. Whats the wieght difference? How much bigger is the block? Think i can get it to fit since we did get a 350 to?
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Old Jun 16, 2009 | 12:56 PM
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well i found a 400. so now my question is which to go with? found a 400 for 250 the 396 is 600. I figured with the extra money id save from the 400 it would produce quite a bit more than the 396 and weigh a bit less. any other info or recomendations would be greatly appreciated
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Old Jun 16, 2009 | 01:16 PM
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I would go with the 400 SBC. Less weight and parts are cheaper
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Old Jun 16, 2009 | 01:19 PM
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make sure the 400 isnt cracked. lots of times they are cracked from overheating...but as far as i'm concerned, small block ftw.
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Old Jun 16, 2009 | 02:05 PM
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the 400 is going to be lighter, and mount the same/use the same headers the 350 did so it'll be a lot more of a direct swap than a 396
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Old Jun 16, 2009 | 05:18 PM
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Thats what i was thinking thanks for all the help guys
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Old Jun 16, 2009 | 05:33 PM
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377 stroker anyone? alot of guys take the old 2 bolt blocks plop in a 350 crank and circle track em. not really street friendly but rev very high..which is what I like
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Old Jun 16, 2009 | 06:20 PM
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Originally Posted by steelcity6
377 stroker anyone? alot of guys take the old 2 bolt blocks plop in a 350 crank and circle track em. not really street friendly but rev very high..which is what I like

I second his notion....This is what I would build.

I love BBC, but they are expensive to build.
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Old Jun 16, 2009 | 08:00 PM
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400 all the way. less weight. I can only see a big block beeing used if it's 454" or bigger.
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Old Jun 16, 2009 | 08:37 PM
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this is just my opinion and experience... if i owned a bog truck i would do something with a 350 cause a 400 doesnt like rpms like a 350 does.... they over heat also...
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Old Jun 16, 2009 | 09:06 PM
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Yea, IF the 400 is good, that is the way i would go, or a 454 with aluminum heads would weigh the same as a 400 with iron heads and make more torque.
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Old Jun 17, 2009 | 06:09 AM
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400 i had a 406 that went 5.90s in the 1/8 in my camaro with a eagle i-beam rod and stock crank,58cc alum heads
396s are junk.
454 with stock heads will work real good also. but building a 454 or big block period you better bring a BIG BLOCK of CASH
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