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400 Small Block Build

T

TrojanMan06

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Alright so me and my buddies were able to get a K5 for free that has a 400SB. We are going to turn in into a offroad only rig. Im going to rebuild the motor but want some more power out of it. I dont know what power it put out stock or anything but I know Ill want more out of it. Im wanting to learn some build options. Maybe like a good, better and best build options. Ive read about cooling problems and ways to overcome but besides that and dont know much.

Also any lift kit recommendations would be good too. Would like to put 35s-38s on it. Dont know really anything about the K5s but here to learn it all.
 
if u want good flex, i wouldnt do anything over a 6" spring front or rear, u can do a shackle flip to get the rear up so u can use a flatter softer spring. but just be prepared to get A LOT of different opinions and options to do with ur k5 on here. theres 100 different ways to get to the same lift. u just have to pick through it all and do what u want.
 
shaun89 said:
if u want good flex, i wouldnt do anything over a 6" spring front or rear, u can do a shackle flip to get the rear up so u can use a flatter softer spring. but just be prepared to get A LOT of different opinions and options to do with ur k5 on here. theres 100 different ways to get to the same lift. u just have to pick through it all and do what u want.
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Ya ill looked at a few lifts. 6" will be the max. we will put on it. Anyone do a coilover set up on these?
 
TrojanMan06 said:
Ya ill looked at a few lifts. 6" will be the max. we will put on it. Anyone do a coilover set up on these?
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ya, theres guys on here that have done that. it gets real expensive that way but if u have the money then hell...do it, ull have a sick rig. but if u dont, longer then stock leaf springs flex real well too
 
Is there a coilover kit you can buy similar to the one in the link above. I could probably find the diffs. myself for cheap. Would just need the rest of the stuff. I could maybe build the control arms but not the rest.
 
My last K5 had a 400SB in it. I had the block bored .030 over, high lift RV cam, holley intake manifold, 750 cfm holley carb, deep pan. Heads were ported/polished. I never had it dyno'd, but I could drop it in 4l, stand on it and smoke all 4 35" tires. In 2wd, you couldn't really get on it until about 10-15 mph or it would spin the rears. It was a beast. Never had any overheating problems with the stock rad, and thats in AZ, with 110 degree heat, with the AC running. It was a dog on gas though. Had to run premium and averaged 6-8mpg in town.

rr
 
ragedracer said:
My last K5 had a 400SB in it. I had the block bored .030 over, high lift RV cam, holley intake manifold, 750 cfm holley carb, deep pan. Heads were ported/polished. I never had it dyno'd, but I could drop it in 4l, stand on it and smoke all 4 35" tires. In 2wd, you couldn't really get on it until about 10-15 mph or it would spin the rears. It was a beast. Never had any overheating problems with the stock rad, and thats in AZ, with 110 degree heat, with the AC running. It was a dog on gas though. Had to run premium and averaged 6-8mpg in town.

rr
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Sweet thats what im looking for. So you did some modification but nothing major. Same rods,cam and crank? Do you remember how much money you put into it?
 
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TrojanMan06 said:
Sweet thats what im looking for. So you did some modification but nothing major. Same rods,cam and crank? Do you remember how much money you put into it?
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I believe the crank was the same, but I did have a high lift cam (RV style is what they called it). I'm sure the rods were changed but I can't remember for sure.

This was in about 98-99 or so. I paid about $3500 for it.

One thing to watch for, make sure you use the correct head gaskets. The shop found out the hard way that 350 gaskets are just slightly different, and had to take it all apart again when it started leaking coolant everywhere.

rr
 
ragedracer said:
I believe the crank was the same, but I did have a high lift cam (RV style is what they called it). I'm sure the rods were changed but I can't remember for sure.

This was in about 98-99 or so. I paid about $3500 for it.

One thing to watch for, make sure you use the correct head gaskets. The shop found out the hard way that 350 gaskets are just slightly different, and had to take it all apart again when it started leaking coolant everywhere.

rr
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Alright well this is a good start. Hope I can knock that price in half since ill build it myself and hopefully get some good deals on parts.
 
I have a 76 small block 400 and from what Ive read its rated at 175 hp and 305 ft/lbs of torque. I recently rebuilt mine to +.030 over. It runs awsome, had some problems with bad lifters from comp cams. Right now im takin it back apart cuz theres a bad vibration at 3000 rpms, machine shop screwed up on the balancing. With a 12-230-2 comp cams xtreme energy cam and headers and straight pipes the comp cams software says 500 ft/lbs of torque at 2000 rpms(91 octane gas), not exactly sure how accurate that is but its a huge difference over stock. I wouldnt settle for less then a 400 ci small block. Not sure on the mileage yet since ididnt drive it much, but before the rebuild i used to get on a non windy day 13 mpg with a 700r4 overdrive tranny and 3.08 gears, stock tires of course. I hope you enjoy yours as much as I do.:D:D
 
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