[Wakeskater]

Ok, so i'm looking to build a engine for a reasonable price with good Torque and HP numbers, to put in a 79 Camaro. I not to sure on what are good or achievable numbers.

I've got a choice between a 400 and a 350 for really good deals.I have been searching the forum and I'm leaning toward the 400. I want torque more than horsepower.

Opinions?

Options?

thanks.



Guy

[Olds86]

Originally Posted by Wakeskater

Ok, so i'm looking to build a engine for a reasonable price with good Torque and HP numbers, to put in a 79 Camaro. I not to sure on what are good or achievable numbers.

I've got a choice between a 400 and a 350 for really good deals.I have been searching the forum and I'm leaning toward the 400. I want torque more than horsepower.

Opinions?

Options?

thanks.



Guy

Go 400 all the way!!! I've done both the 350 and 400 as far as stock small blocks go, 400's are the best for torque.

[Digger D]

I'm assuming this is for a street car, right? Well, as the ol' adage goes, "there's no replacement for displacement".

What condition is the 350 and 400 in? Is the 400 punched .030 over or is it still a stock bore?

[ap72]

just make sure the 400 isn't more than .030" over and that when they bore/hone it they use a torque plate- its especially important on these engines. Other than that vortec heads are a great low buck head for great streetable torque, dual plane manifold, and I wouldn't go over 230º dur @.050" on the intake- you'll get mor epower if you do but it become less street friendly. And remember to get good pistons with a reverse dome not just a dish. Those tips should get you well on your way.

[Wakeskater]

Well, the 350 has been torn down for about 6 months and is still in pieces as far as i could tell it seemed to be in good condition. As for the 400 have have yet to look at it because it was in the back of the shop piled in some junk. I'm going to look at it thursday it's torn down to the short block, anything a should look for?


The is for a occasional drive in the summer, it's a basic package camaro and we'd like to put more of a engine compared to the 305.

I don't know.. hopefully it hasn't been rebuilt before.

[Wakeskater]

Originally Posted by ap72

just make sure the 400 isn't more than .030" over and that when they bore/hone it they use a torque plate- its especially important on these engines. Other than that vortec heads are a great low buck head for great streetable torque, dual plane manifold, and I wouldn't go over 230º dur @.050" on the intake- you'll get mor epower if you do but it become less street friendly. And remember to get good pistons with a reverse dome not just a dish. Those tips should get you well on your way.

How come the torque plate needs to be used?

Can anybody recommend a good machine shop in central ontario?

[Digger D]

Due to the clamping forces of head bolts or studs, it distorts the cylinder.

Thus, if you have a torque plate on when you hone, it distorts the cylinder in a consistent fashion as if you had the cylinder head bolted down.

Some shops even torque down the mains when they hone.

[PRO 48 fleetline]

This is easy 400 for sure! make a nice lil 406 with some longer rods 6" would be perfect great piston quench and get you a good set of free flowing heads hold on. way fun

[ap72]

you could use 6" rods- just be aware of the oiling issues. I stay away from them but many people run it just fine.

[F-BIRD'88]

Originally Posted by Wakeskater

How come the torque plate needs to be used?

Can anybody recommend a good machine shop in central ontario?

Where are you specificly?

[Wakeskater]

I'm from Orillia.

[F-BIRD'88]

What kind of performance are you looking to have?

13sec 12sec 11sec 10sec machine? All can be achieved with either engine.

[ap72]

I'd shoot for 500/500 with some good aftermarket heads or well setup Vortecs. I think CarCraft did a 500 ftlb 400 with Vortecs, I'm sure it was a little inflated but it gives you a great outline of what works.

[Wakeskater]

I don't really know what kind of hp/torque i want. 500/500 sounds good, but i'm on a budget to. I want to be able to burn tires from a stand still if a stand on it. if that explains it.. lol what kind of transmisson would i be into with this much torque? standard and automatic.

Should i buy used or new vortec head?

480 for a pair from gm performance

[F-BIRD'88]

Originally Posted by Wakeskater

I don't really know what kind of hp/torque i want. 500/500 sounds good, but i'm on a budget to. I want to be able to burn tires from a stand still if a stand on it. if that explains it.. lol what kind of transmisson would i be into with this much torque? standard and automatic.

Should i buy used or new vortec head?

480 for a pair from gm performance

Well you don't need 500hp just to "burn the tires from a stand still".

I highly recomend you buy "new GM vortec heads" over a used set.

$480 ($Can$) is a good price for new assembled "062" vortecs.
Is that priced at a GM parts dealer?
They will need a few further performance mods and upgrades but work very very well. You can build a real tire burner with these heads on either a 350 or 400 based motor.

I'd lean towards a basic rebuilt flat top piston 350 (with vortec heads) if you're on a budget.

Will your build up include a high stall converter and a rear gear swap?
I have a simple 350 vortec headed street combo (that really burns the tires)
Uses new GM vortec heads with simple mods, a cool sounding Isky Hyd cam
a Hi rise dual plane "RPM" manifold, 750carb and headers.
Requires a "3500 stall" 10" converter and 4.10 gears for best results in a 79 Camaro.

The beauti of the combo is the simplicity and low cost/hp.
You'll definaly be burning the tires off your Camaro

This is what it sounds like At Idle