Bipolar

Yep, I'm buying a running 400-4 barrel small block from a 1978 C20 for $250... Its all complete & stock and has never been rebuilt/bored. Although its running I plan on doing a complete budget yet some what "HiPo" rebuild. I know... That's an oxymoron. Any way, I will most likely bore it 30 over unless its in extreme good condition but I plan on it needing it.. I think 30 over makes it a 406cid.. I really don't know much about 400's but im learning. I know they have steam holes in the heads, they are a Siamese bore block, which I hear makes it more ridged but harder to cool, & they have a short 5.560 rod. I plan on going with 5.7" or maybe 6.0" H beams & a set of Speed Pro forged pistons. Which length rod is better & why? Now here is the question I really wanted to ask...I can get the steam holes drilled locally for $20 in what ever heads I plan on using, so should I go with a set of Vortec's OR.... Aerohead Racing (AKA Indy Cylinder Heads) has a set of 1986 & Earlier, 65 or 76cc Combustion Chambered heads, with 2.02X1.60 Stainless Valves, & .525 Lift Springs, 3/8 Screw in Studs assembled and ready to bolt on for $369.00 with no core charge!! And for $150 more I can have the intake & exhaust bowls ported and polished.. Isn't the bowl area the hardest & most important part to do? I mean, I can do the runners, chambers, & gasket matching myself.. But I don't know which would be the better move. I read today that the Vortecs out flow the Edelbrock Performer RPM's at .500 lift! WoW! Maybe I should get a set of Vortecs and have 2.02/1.60 valves put in them and have'em ported and polished, but remember, this is supposed to be a "budget" build. Whenever I figure out which heads i'm going to use then I will have Comp Cams recomend a cam for my aplacation. So how do I know what heads will be best for me? Is this 400 SBC a good move or not? Any info or suggestions on the whole mess will much be appreciated wether its good or bad news.. BTW this is going into a 86 RX7 with a T56...Thanks guys!
PS... I know the Vortec's use a specific intake manifold but I have one from Professional Products that is a dual bolt pattern for either style head.

67RSCamaroVette

iTrader: (63)

This isnt the best place to ask that particular question in, in regards to the heads, etc. This section is more leaning towards, "will it fit?," type threads, or questions pertaining to electrical, fuel, exhaust, and motor mounts for the LS1 style engine in a non-ls1 vehicle. The SBC/BBC section, about halfway down on the main page, will help you with your question much better, lots of engine gurus there. Good luck with the swap, any pics?
olly

Bipolar

Thanks! I did not see that sb/bb thread board. Can I get this moved?

NoFive0

Dart Iron Eagles or Ported Vortecs.

Bipolar

Cool, Summit has the Dart Iron Eagle 215's and 230's on sale right now for $450 for the pair bare!

slow trap

iTrader: (22)

i would get the 230s and get flat-top pistons with 6.o rods. for camshaft a solid or my favorite solid roller i'd get something in the upper 240s-low 250s with .600-.630 lift. i have a 259-.267 @.050 in my 406 and it's a great cam.

Hot Copper Z

iTrader: (5)

Brodix Track 1 Race Heads

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Brodix track 1 heads
Ready to bolt on, HVH did all work, extensive port work, 5-angle valve job,2.10 intake, 1.60 exhaust. 229 Intake runners, intake flows 315 cfm @.700,exh.flows 242cfm @.700.59cc combustion chambers.Springs set up for solid roller. $1,800.00 If you have any questions please call 865-740-2587.I can't beleive no one is buying these heads they were on a 421 sbc in a 3200lb car that went 6.50's in the 1/8th on motor.I've got a lot more than $1,800.00 in them.I had a 406 w/ 5.7 rods, flat tops, small base circle cam to clear the rod bolts, AFR 210 heads and a 250 shot and ran 6.52 1/8th mile.

Red95Formula

slow trap--what times does that cam run? Cam motion gave me some specs but they are a little bigger than that. I will be running brodix track 1's that are cnc'd.

Camaro396

iTrader: (14)

check into Air Flow Research heads, i know a fuel people running them on 406s and they all love them, i bought a set for my 406 but sold the motor before i ever put it in my car..

JPMuscle

My vote, Id look into either the Brodix 18* stuff or the 18x stuff. Personall Id go with the True 18 degree stuff the 18x stuff is nice because you can use 23 degree valve train components but you will make more power with the True 18 degree stuff.

slow trap

iTrader: (22)

no idea.it has around 550 fwhp probably,but i only have a 3500 stall and 3.70 gears so it isn't exactly set up for drag only but it "should"turn 6.90s to 7.0s in the 1/8th at 100 mph.the cnc track 1s should put up good numbers.

Strokinit383

iTrader: (22)

Ever though about something like this:

http://shop.enginekits.com/osb/itemdetails.cfm?ID=2118

Definitely what i would do if i had a 400.

slow trap

iTrader: (22)

i'm not a big fan of the 400 block,especially when there is a 4 " arm in it.i can't count how many i've seen crack in the middle cylinders unless filled with block filler,then they overheat if driven on the street.i know my 406 is an accident waiting to happen but i'm too poor to drop 1800-2100 in a block only and i don't want a splayed factory block either.