I have a 76 caprice that im slowly restoring has a 305 with a 400 trans & Im trying to put a 350 but found a 400 . What do you think is better to go with ?
2007-11-07 04:41:54 · 13 answers · asked by mr cool 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Car Makes ➔ Chevrolet
the 350CID is better!!!
the 400CID tens to crack at higher RPM at the boss's on the tree center main bearings cap mounts as there is less material on the 400CID at the boss's and lower side walls of the block, this is done to make room for the counterweights of the larger crank stroke but they took to much.
as in the 350CID when you stroke a 350CID you only take the material needed from the lower side walls and leave the boss's alone, this is why (world motown, zoops, dart and edelbrock ) all start with a 350CID casting for there stroker motors, hell world/motown/hardcore make all the way up to a 472CID from the 350CID forum ( not a 400CID )
2007-11-07 05:18:38 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
The two share a lot of parts, like most small block chevs. It would depend on the condition of the engine, if it's a good deal and not overbored or run out in the bottom end. 400 would give you more thump and use a bit more gas, depending on how you build the engine. This is really a personal preference thing, you will find people who will argue to the death that one is better over the other. Invariably the heads on stock 400 are cracked , you can check 20 pairs and 18 will be cracked between the bolt hole and the steam hole, this can be repaired with a sleeve in the bolt hole. some people let the crack go and get away with it. The cranks usually are good just check the thrust bearing surface at the rear journal, no wear is allowed unless you want to go for oversize thrust type bearings that are hard to find and costly. Also watch for cracks through the oil hole in the main webs of the block, usually not a problem on 400's but i have seen it a few times. Stock pistons will crack in the skirts up from where the steel strut is on the sides, most likely need replacing.
2007-11-07 04:57:41 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
first of all the 400 is NOT a smog motor! that is just crazy!!! the 400 wins hands down any day. EXCEPT for fuel economy. that is a bigger car and the turbo 400 trans takes alot to make it work. go with the 400. much more torque and hp! had both stock and have built MANY hi performance small block chevy's. that is what i do for a living. you could always do what not many people do cause they are not aware of the perks. put the crank out of the 350 into the 400. that will give you 377 cubic inches. as far as the 383 which is a 400 crank in a 350 block. big bore shorter stroke. that is what made the dz 302 small block chevy the ultimate small block EVER produced. i hope this helps. you can email me with any questions you might have.
2007-11-07 11:03:13 · answer #3 · answered by joe e 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depending where you lived there may be a place near by that could ultrasonically check the cylinder bores for core shift and cracks. It's a simple easy test. A company called: Krautkramer Branson 50 Industrial Park Road Lewstown, Pennsylvania 17044 Phone 717 242 0327 could tell you if anyone nearby you has flaw detecting equipment that could detect cracks or core shift inside a cylinder block. It's worth youtr time to at least ask because what if you spent money on a short rod 400 that had a bad cylinder wall. The Chevrolet Performance Parts catalog lists several blocks with large lifter bores that can be safely bored to 4.180 that's .055 more than what you have already. You could jump up to 5.7 or 6.0 rods with re-located piston wrist pins. They have several crankshafts small and large journals that would fit their blocks.
The name of the game today is low end grunt. and a 400 would be a stump puller.
If your 400 block is used up and you're short of cash a 350 would be the way to go. Please slap on a set of the brand new Vortec cylinder heads they come in two intake and exhaust port sizes They are worth a minimum of 40 hp. off the shelf. The small port 185cc intake runner, 65cc exhaust port sixe head would create more intake velosity thus instant power. The part # is 255344421.
If you must, the large port heads # 25534431 has 215cc intake ports and 84cc exhaust ports.
2007-11-07 15:28:39 · answer #4 · answered by Country Boy 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
A 350 is superior to the 400. The reason is the 400 is basically a "smog motor" laden down with too much anti-pollution junk. I'd keep searching until I found an early 350. Good luck!
2007-11-07 04:56:11 · answer #5 · answered by Kiffin # 1 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i have a two door 85 caprice that i just put a 350 in go with the 350 the bottom of the 400 is not as strong as the 350 once you stared with add on like a bigger crab batter intake cam Herder
2007-11-07 05:12:19 · answer #6 · answered by G T 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I* would say go with the 350, the chevy 350 is a great motor and very easy to get parts for. also there are so many aftermarket parts availible for it. My 68 camaro has a 350 and it runs and drives great with plenty of power.
2007-11-09 07:53:19 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
the harmonic balancer is solid all the way around for 350 the 400 has a large piece of metal missing from one side the differance is internal balance or external balance same goes for flywheel / on flexplate it has a 4" metal weight welded to one side [400] no weight on 350
2016-04-02 22:33:11 · answer #8 · answered by April 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
400 tends to have a problem with running hot since there is more cubes with the same amount of water around it.
2007-11-08 14:15:01 · answer #9 · answered by boogie_4wheel 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
chevy 350 its a more relieble motor that is better known and has a better part choice. but if u wanted to do it right u would buy a ford and use a 351 windsor or a 460
2007-11-07 10:41:17 · answer #10 · answered by Devon S 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋