400 block forged or hypereutectic pistons?

ive heard that the cylinders on the ends of the chevy 400 block run hot. is this true?

if they do run hot should i run forged pistons or would hypereutectic pistons be ok? i would rather run the cheaper hypereutectic type pistons if possible.


and one more question. how great are the remote type cooling systems that you run along with a normal radiator?

thanks!


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Never heard that. If anything, a small block Chevy is hotter in the middle of the head because of having two exhaust valves situated next to each other. The sequence is E-I-I-E-E-I-I-E.

They originally came from the factory with cast pistons, so use anything you want to. Cast or hyper for the street, forged for racing.

The motor doesn't care where the radiator is, so long as there is sufficient circulation of water through it and sufficient air blowing through the core.

Its possible, the 400 is an odd engine. There is no water jacket between the cylinders due to the bore being too large (in my opinion) for a small block, by the time the coolant gets to the rear cylinders it will be pretty hot. Thats true for any engine, but coolant can circulate better in any other engine that doesnt have "siamesed" cylinders.

The first thing you have to get straight when it comes to building high performance engines, especially the 400 small blocks chevs is that everything you have ever "heard" or will ever "hear" is not true.

Amen, F-bird.

And as a point of reference, if you have an engine that runs hot, I would be tempted to prefer hypereutectic over forged. Forged pistons change size more rapidly than hypereutectics, so the tolerances would change more with temperature.

I heard that...

thanks
so it sounds like they dont run hot. and ill run hypereutectic pistons like i originally planed on.

but how about that extra radiator? they look almost like a heater core, but are thinner. ive seen them on summit for about $100. i would keep the stock radiator for a 283 and then run the extra one in the back of the truck or something.

has anyone ever used these before? or should i just buy a new better radiator?

those "radiators" are for engine or trans oil. Good for that, not really meant for your coolant. Forgot to mention- don't go more than .030" over on a 400- then you will see cooling problems.

VERY TRUE.

See quote below,

"Forgot to mention- don't go more than .030" over on a 400- then you will see cooling problems".

Proves F-birds point.

Keith

what i saw was for coolant. not for a tranny or engine. i should probably just get a new radiator. whats the best type? im planning on 450 to 500 hp with this engine. so ill need something thatll keep it at about 180*.


thanks again

Another "cooling problem myth" about the 400 perpetuated.

K