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406 Setup and Dyno

K85 Octane

K85 Octane

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Just throwing this out there. To compare your options, rebuilding an old engine VS going with something like an LS motor. The dyno run was not for tuning or performance gains, it was used purely to break in the cam and check over the rest of the engine. I will be installing a FAST EFI setup and would not be able to break in the cam properly. Not sure how much better it could get, just happy to have a finished engine. :woot:

This is my 406 small block. I don't know everything about it, but I know some. It is still a smog motor, so I didn't go crazy on it at all.

'78 406 small block
'92 TBI heads with Vortec style intake runner, but not Vortecs
2.02 / 1.60 valves
Standard rockers
Slight dish pistons
9.3:1 compression
Stock crank and rods
Speed Pro cam (specs below)

Dyno sheet says he used a 2" spacer (:dunno:) timing set @34, used 92 octane. I think idle timing was 15*.

Cam specs and dyno sheet

Dyno.jpg


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Dyno003.jpg




zz.jpg
 
That's pretty cool so looks like it maxed out at
317hp and 421lbs of torque

Is this to the wheels? That's pretty dang good I think they say 27% power loss through the drivetrain is conservative.

So that things making some pretty good power at the flywheel. I hope to get my 383 on the dyno soon.
 
Our motors are like identical. Except the smog stuff and i got roller rockers but thats not really any big deal. Cool results man :D
 
nsxxtreme said:
That's pretty cool so looks like it maxed out at
317hp and 421lbs of torque

Is this to the wheels? That's pretty dang good I think they say 27% power loss through the drivetrain is conservative.

So that things making some pretty good power at the flywheel. I hope to get my 383 on the dyno soon.
Click to expand...

nah, it was an engine dyno. Still working on getting the truck running and put back together.
 
K85 Octane said:
nah, it was an engine dyno. Still working on getting the truck running and put back together.
Click to expand...

Still nice numbers. I'm hoping for 350hp and in the 400's for torque.
I dont have all that smog stuff. Mine still passes a snif test
 
Your 406 is nearly identical to mine, except your cam is a hair bigger and I still have the stock heads. I ran mine on a dyno and made right at 200HP/300ft lbs, at the rear wheels. The dyno shop figured I was right at 300HP and 425ft lbs or so at the crank. The difference with your motor, likely due to the slightly better heads and cam, is that you are still making power into the upper 4000rpm range, mine drops off like a bag of bricks past 4K. But, it rolls in strong starting at 2200 or so.

My plan is a cam change and aluminum heads, likely AFR's. Should put me in the 400+HP range, at the crank. Daily driving a 500HP Cummins kind of ruins a guy on small blocks...:doah:
 
Can you get specific 400 heads with the steam ports, or do you need to get them machined in after buying a set. Id like to get some aluminum heads eventually for mine. I loved my motor....... Untill I rode in Zims Maiden with the 454, now my motor feels like :sign9:




Need mo powwa!!!:D
 
My experience has found that nearly any head maker will drill steam ports for 400's if you request it.
 
A lot of people dog them but the 87-95 TBI heads make great power. I have built 3 engines with them and they are very good for the price and make great power for a street rig. They actually have a vortec flow to them, but not called vortec. The true 96-2001 vortec head follows the vortec flow through the combustion process with the heart shaped chamber.

Good numbers.
 
Last edited:
63chevyll said:
A lot of people dog them but the 87-95 TBI heads make great power. I have built 3 engines with them and they are very good for the price and make great power for a street rig. That actually have a vortec flow to them, but not called vortec. The true 96-2001 vortec head follows the vortec flow through the combustion process with the heart shaped chamber.

Good numbers.
Click to expand...

exactly, tis what I have. The guy that put the engine back together actually cut down a little of the "vortec" intake runner between the valve seat and guide. Helps to make more power above midrange. Then added the 2.02/1.60. Still a mild build, but I'll be putting serious miles on it before I think about anything else.
 
I think you're giving up a lot by not having the Vortecs. They may even give you better BSFC(fuel efficiency). You'd need less initial timing and less total timing as well. I LOVE the engine though! I wish I had just stuck with the basic 406. Instead I ended up with a high $ 415. It should be kick ass once it finally breathes though. I got into the "gotta have this" thinking and now my motor has 6.125" rods, a roller cam and custom made Probe pistons(and a TON of other ****). FML

Vortec heads are cheap and I put together a 383 with them and an 80$ Summit cam that ended up being an outstanding truck motor. I built it using Performance Trends compression ratio calculator. The #s the program gave me were spot on as far as cranking compression.

It looks like your engine will be rock solid reliable and it makes great power too. :)
 
The only reason I didn't go with "vortec" heads, from the very get go, is they don't have an EGR. I couldn't even get sneaky with an intake manifold that both fits Vortec heads and has an EGR. It was in the plans, but once EGR use went out the door, Vortecs followed.

Aftermarket heads were also an idea, but these heads were in the shop ready to go.
 
K85 Octane said:
The only reason I didn't go with "vortec" heads, from the very get go, is they don't have an EGR. I couldn't even get sneaky with an intake manifold that both fits Vortec heads and has an EGR. It was in the plans, but once EGR use went out the door, Vortecs followed.

Aftermarket heads were also an idea, but these heads were in the shop ready to go.
Click to expand...

They have a way to mount an EGR valve for vortecs.
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...zqpOcH&usg=AFQjCNH9_pTXaqEk6ob8-rIVc-WUDSnb-g

Not the best pictures but EGR on vortecs do exist. I skipped the EGR valve and my motor passes a DEQ snif test just fine.
 
Deuling said:
Can you get specific 400 heads with the steam ports, or do you need to get them machined in after buying a set. Id like to get some aluminum heads eventually for mine. I loved my motor....... Untill I rode in Zims Maiden with the 454, now my motor feels like

Need mo powwa!!!:D
Click to expand...

My edelbrock etec 200 heads come with a manual that shows where to drill the steam hole if going on a 400. So I imagine all heads can be set up this way. If I had a 400 I probably would have strocked it and made a 465.
 
U can stroke them that high? I was thinking it would be fun to deatroke one, put a sweet top end on it with roller cam and you would be able to rev the everloving piss out of it!!! That would be fun I think.
 
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