[myrl]

I'am restoring a 78 camaro, and I plan on using a small block 400. I would like to use factory heads, intake and exhaust manifolds. Can anyone give me some casting #'s that would produce the best performance for this build. They Can be from any year or make. I could also use some help with the cam and carb selection. Thanks for the help.

[bracketeer]

Pretty well all the casting #s can be found here on Mortec. With a 400 sb with flat top pistons, you cannot use any head with less than a 70cc chamber. You are best to stick with a set of 70cc 350 heads and drill the steam holes yourself.

The use of stock intake and exhaust will limit you to the use of something along the lines of a performer cam or an xe268h at best. Carb selection will be limited to spread bores, such as the Edelbrock or QJet.

[myrl]

Thanks for the help. If I use an aftermarket intake and headers, which ones would you recommend and how much of would it help. At present the rearend is 2:73; I will probably change latter to a 3:55 or 3:73. I will use the car as a daily driver. I'am trying to make a low 14 sec 1/4 car that is fun to drive and reliable I'am I asking to much and would a mild stall converter help. I want to keep the car looking stock but not run and sound stock. I have a pair of double hump heads. but the don't have the accessory holes;can they be tapped.

[bracketeer]

I prefer Edelbrock intakes and Hooker headers. What size are the heads you have?

[baddbob]

You can use the double hump 461 and 462 non drilled heads without problems. Don't drill and tap the accessory holes in the front of these heads - I've seen a few pairs ruined this way. Instead just get a low mount alternator bracket kit that doesn't screw into the head-some of the older trucks had this and the aftermarket also sells them, check with speedway motors. Chevy also used a power steering pump bracket that didn't need to bolt in the head on some of the older cars and trucks.
You'll need to lay a 400 headgasket on those old double humps and mark where the steamholes need to be drilled between the cylinders. Use these heads with dished pistons.

Or another option would be to use a set of 76cc chambered 441's or 882's with flattop pistons. The 441's are a bit heavier castings and less apt to crack than the 882's-both flow well with larger valves. Print off Mortec's casting number list and go hunting.

If she's going to be a daily driver I'd run the tried and true Comp XE268 cam with basic Z-28 springs, the solid lifter version would even be better.

Any stock 4 barrel intake will work but stay away from the older 283 cast iron intakes- the ports are too small for your 400. An early 70's non egr quadrajet manifold would work well, an alluminum LT1/Z-28 would even be better.

I prefer Holley carbs and would run a basic vacume secondary 600 or 750 but you could use and edelbrock or a stock quadrajet, I've been told the quadrajets off of early 70's olds and buick 455's and also cadilac 472-500's work really well as they have a richer enrichment circuit.

You might need a larger radiator to keep that 400 cool. I'll run in the 14's with ease I'm sure.