Should I scrap the 350 and get a 400?

[8_YOUR_H2]

Right now I am running a 350 .40 over with a mild cam and flat top pistons. I have been takling about getting a big block but my buddy tells me has knows of a 400 complete carb to pan for $200 we could make into a stroker. Well I have checked and I cant justify just scrapping out my 350 for a 400 when it seems I can make my 350 into a stroker for less money. The only thing is I think is better is the 400 has 4 bolt mains and my 350 only has 2 bolt mains. I guess after looking at the prices of everything the big block is way out of my league so its a no go for sure.. its down to the 350 or the 400...does anyone have any input on this situation?

Also will 350 heads work on a 400? I dont see any special 400 heads when I look at edelbrock performer or dart stuff.

Thanks
Brent

 

[gtkustoms]

the 400 requires steam holes in the heads, you can drill out the 350 heads to work on the 400

 

[Triaged]

$200 is cheep for a 400. You say it would cost more to stroke the 400 than the 350...of course it does. But that isn't a apples to apples comparison. Compaired to a 350 the 400 is already bored and stroked. You don't have to mess with it at all if you don't want to. A non-stroked 400 will make more torque and power than the 383 will and for 200 you can't go wrong. If you really feal like stroking the 400 you could end up w/ a 415 or bigger/forums/images/icons/shocked.gif which is getting into big block size displacement...so don't be suprised if you start getting into BB $$$.

 

[BorregoK5]

Triaged, I resemble that remark /forums/images/icons/smile.gif! As far as the 400 or 350 goes, $200 is a steel for a 400 if its in good condition. If your not reving the engine over 6000 rpm then don't wory about 2 bolt vs 4 bolt, and if you are, a splayed kit on a 2 bolt is stronger than a 4 bolt anyhow. As far as the 350 vs the 400, with stock build up, it would cost you just about the same for either one. As stated above, building a 383 would cost more and you'd be getting to where a stock 400 already is. Where the 350 block really shines over the 400 block is for sustained periods of high load rpm. The 400 has siamesed pistons so there is heat transfer between them where your water cooling can't reach. The steam holes help to combat some of this heat but not as well as a 350 where coolant surrounds the piston bore. You could get spendy on a 400 and stroke it like I have but I think most would be pretty satisfied with with a stock 400s performance and basic small block bolt on modifications.

 

[Z3PR]

I'd buy the 400 and start building it up as you can. Keep your 350 in the truck till you're ready to drop in the built up 400, then either keep the 350 as a spare motor, or sell it. That's what I'd think about doing.

 

[rodzzilla]

For regurlar street/off road use, a 2 bolt will be fine. A built 400 would have more power than the 350 will. I have heard that the 4 bolt 400 blocks were weak in the webbing. For $200, I think you should pass on it and send it 51 miles East./forums/images/icons/laugh.gif