[Blazin72]

I dont worry much unless it starts to go over 210. My thermostat for my fans is set at 205 and they usually shut off at 190. I was just impressed that yours will hold 190 when it's almost 120 outside.

[Sporttrucker]

You can't go worng with the 400 SBC. You're lucky if you can find one of the few left "509" castings. These have a higher nickel content and stronger block eliminate the thinner cylinder wall problem alot of people give the 400. They are just jealous because they weren't smart enough to do the 400 in the first place. With mine, I can run with the 13.5:1 357's and still smoke them with out having to tear down my engine every 1-2 seasons. Oh, while they are running race gas I'm still on the 91 octo. With more cubes you don't have to build the engine as extreme to get the same power as the lower cubic engines, thus being directly proportional to reliabilty. So any one up to the challenge, go luck. I'm packing 406 rated at 506 HP w/ 526 lbs. of torque in my '91 S-10. Anyone wanna play? HAHA Until then, I'll have my reliable pump gas feed engine waiting. Better hurry though, it's getting put on the bottle this winter. And for other discussions, it's being held up by 2 bolt mains.

[steveo400]

i got a 400 now, and although it has some cooling issues on hot days, i like the extra cubes. now mine is .030 over to be a 406, but on the other hand i think a 383 stroker motor is as equally good. if i had both of them in front of me i would take the 383 for the plain fact of cooling and a 350 is easier to work on cuz there is more parts

richard

[DTL504]

Originally Posted by steveo400

i got a 400 now, and although it has some cooling issues on hot days, i like the extra cubes. now mine is .030 over to be a 406, but on the other hand i think a 383 stroker motor is as equally good. if i had both of them in front of me i would take the 383 for the plain fact of cooling and a 350 is easier to work on cuz there is more parts

richard

Go with the 400. If you have cooling issues than address the problem...
Drill steam holes in the head, Stewart Water Pump, and Griffin Radiator.
that's what I have on my engine and she never gets above 180* in the summer. I dont think I have hit the 200* mark but a few times in Chicago toll way traffic.

NO REPLACEMENT for DISPLACEMENT!!!

[killerformula]

omg, lets beat it to death a little more.

[Malibu73]

If I had them both sitting there on stands, I'd take the 400.

But, if I wanted to build them, it would depend on how easily I could find the 400 block, otherwise 383 it is

[MAHRKEAU]

I Would Have To Concur Both Are Fine, Especially If Its A Matter Of Building What You Have Lying On The Floor. Unlike So Many, I Prefer The 400 Rods Resized With ARP's. This Works Fine , I Gain A Bit Of Bottom End, (At The Cost Of Losing A Bit Of Top End),Have Greatly Reduced Clearance Problems. (I Actually Put A 400 SCAT Crank And 400 Rods In A .040 Over 267 For A 4X4. [Made A 295".] Put Undercut Ferreas And A 300Horse/327 Cam In It. IT HAULS!) If I Were Gonna Use 5.7 Or Longer Rods I Would Use The Aftermarket Tall Deck Blocks With The Raised Cam Location. Also I DO NOT Believe In Boring An Engine To The Max For More Cubes-Especially on A Stroker. The Longer The Stroke The More Side Loading The Piston Exerts On The Wall. Therefore I Prefer The Thickest Possible Walls. Piston Speed Is Also Greater On A Stroker. I Would Sleeve All 8 And Hone To Std. With Plates And Deck To Flatten Before I'd Risk Blowing An Engine From Overstressing Thin Walls. Could Explain Why You Don't Find Any fraud Or slopar Stuff In My Yard!

[SteveC409]

My only beef with the 400 is the fact that the cylinders are siamized. after the engine has been repeatedly heated and cooled the cylinders go egged shaped. so my vote is for the 383 all day long.

[DTL504]

The Jury has a reach a verdict, your honor.....

View Poll Results: What's the better motor?
400 SBC 117 43.49%
383 SBC 94 34.94%
Bore your 383, get a 388 13 4.83%
They're equally good street motors 45 16.73%
Voters: 269. You have already voted on this poll

Case Close:
SBC 400

[ChevelleSS_LS6]

Originally Posted by killerformula

omg, lets beat it to death a little more.

you mean like that "ford or chevy" debate?

hahahahahahahahahahaha rotfl

[Lou Montanti]

Hey Guys
There is no end to great debates.
I have built two 350's to the limit and they realy do run. Rember Grumpy Bill Jenkins of the seventy's.
I currently have a 400 I am toying with.
The overheating is a problem. Yes you can run the 383 at higher temps.
The 400 will blow the head gaskets right off it.
Besides that high temps do not lead to performance.
It is not the size of your cooling system it is the water jackets and head design that make the differance.
First bring all water ports to gasket and where possible try to enlarge them.
Use an oil cooler and a trans cooler of extra size.
I love that willy's wish I had one.
Keep the new Hemi is a Mopar Fopar.
Like most things with crysler corp when they build somthing good they stop and redesign it into trash. Sorry They stoped building real hemi engins a long
time ago. good luck guys Lou

[Schroat]

i have had so much bad luck with 400's its pathetic it seemed everyone around had something else going wrong.

[Old Hemi]

As Centerline said 383, 400 make mine MOPAR!

OLD HEMI

[Blazin72]

Is this thread ever going to die?

Originally Posted by Schroat

i have had so much bad luck with 400's its pathetic it seemed everyone around had something else going wrong.

Really? Would you care to elaborate? I've known a few people with 400s and they've been very good engines.

[MARK TINNELLY]

there are no cooling issues any more with the 400, just put a 165 stat a heavy duty clutch fan and you are fine.