trying to build the monster
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Joined: Oct 2003
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trying to build the monster
Hey,
this is my first post here on this web-board. I'm a represenative for a company called Eve's Customs in St. Louis Missouri. The Company specializes in automotive detailing and custom automotive work, not to mention some engine modification. Right now we're working on building a monster 400ci ford v8 to be placed in a dragster, unless for some reason a custom rod ends up being the place of joy. The good news is emissions won't be a problem, nor will streetability since the car won't be a daily driver. Right now we're prepping for aussie heads, looking for 11.5-12:1 compression eventually, forged pistons, forged rods, stock crank, possibly decked block, have a crane cam .534/.525 specs w/ 1.73 rockers so my issue right now is deciding on which head to go with. I've heard mixed opinions from everyone, since streetability won't be a major concern, what would be the best setup you guys would think of going with? We're talking pure power, nothing more, just torque and power, and hopefully higher in the RPM limits.
P.S.
The engine will be using an edelbrock high-rise 8bbl manifold which will be feeding the engine through two 650 holley's, headers are long tubed stepped race headers that have been jetcoated.
this is my first post here on this web-board. I'm a represenative for a company called Eve's Customs in St. Louis Missouri. The Company specializes in automotive detailing and custom automotive work, not to mention some engine modification. Right now we're working on building a monster 400ci ford v8 to be placed in a dragster, unless for some reason a custom rod ends up being the place of joy. The good news is emissions won't be a problem, nor will streetability since the car won't be a daily driver. Right now we're prepping for aussie heads, looking for 11.5-12:1 compression eventually, forged pistons, forged rods, stock crank, possibly decked block, have a crane cam .534/.525 specs w/ 1.73 rockers so my issue right now is deciding on which head to go with. I've heard mixed opinions from everyone, since streetability won't be a major concern, what would be the best setup you guys would think of going with? We're talking pure power, nothing more, just torque and power, and hopefully higher in the RPM limits.
P.S.
The engine will be using an edelbrock high-rise 8bbl manifold which will be feeding the engine through two 650 holley's, headers are long tubed stepped race headers that have been jetcoated.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Coutts Canada
Since your not worried about street ability then i would go with a set of early 4v heads done up with the exhaust plate that moves the exhaust port up and increases the flow by quite a bit. If you are serius about turning out big numbers at high rpms and you want it to last you might want to consider going with the 351c instead of a 400. But your best bet is to talk to someone that does have a built 400( shazam's 400 i think is putting out 800hp but don't quote me) me myself am starting to build up a 400hp 73' 2v 351C so let us know how it (and the car to) turns out.
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 6,628
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From: Albuquerque
You didn't mention your cam duration but the lift specs aren't all that high. I'm running a Crane roller on the street with 216/224 at .050 and about .564/.582.
I would polish the rods and crank and definitely balance for high rpm use.
I would polish the rods and crank and definitely balance for high rpm use.
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,270
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From: Delaware
I am running a Flat tappet hydraulic Crane with 0.539/0.534 lift 224/232 duration @0.050 on the street in a 400. It is a mild cam with a nice sound. With future Aussie 3V heads I hope to get near 500 HP out of it.
I think that a worked set of 4V Cleveland heads will outflow anything else, but you need 0.800 lift. Below 0.600 lift a good set of ported Aussie heads will flow better.
I think that a worked set of 4V Cleveland heads will outflow anything else, but you need 0.800 lift. Below 0.600 lift a good set of ported Aussie heads will flow better.
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everyone thanks for all the information so far and lets keep it coming. Like i said, my biggest concern is the heads, so if i want to run the Aussie, i should think .800 lift while the 4v cleveland is only a .600 and under setup....Think i'll find tons of high RPM with that .8 lift cam? sorry about not having total cam specs, i could pullthem from the crane web site but don't have the number on hand, will see ifi can digi t up for you. And the top in budget on this motor should be around 8k. Given how busy we've been this past month, it might raise up a little higher then that, but we'll see what happens.
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Posting Guru
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Loose the Aussies
Sorry, but if it's a dragster motor I think you'll be in for a big dissapointment if you insist on using the iron Aussie heads. They aren't going to flow any more at .800 than they do at .600 lift.
The best maximum performance head for the money is the Blue Thunders. They support up to 1700HP.
The best maximum performance head for the money is the Blue Thunders. They support up to 1700HP.
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thanks for the info brian, the most we're looking for right now is around 800hp while spraying 250-300 shot towards the pistons. Not really looking for us making a 4 second car here, we already have a sponsor ride but he's running mid 10's right now,which is more than fine for us. We're simply looking to make a vehicle for the company, whether we go with a dragsters skin, old mustang, torino, or possibly a fairlane is still in the air, just looking for enough power that we can consider 98% of it excess and then be able to take it to the shows as a poster child for eve customs. granted, there are several locals running our paint anyway, so lets call it ... an additional showpiece.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2002
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As long as you're still listening then let me add a couple sites
Small Block head air flow.
http://home.isoa.net/%7Emharrisj/fordhead.html
Some foot notes from a well informed Pantera guy about Cleveland type stock and aftermarket cylinder heads.
http://realbig.com/pipermail/detomas...il/010360.html
http://realbig.com/pipermail/detomas...er/020685.html
My 351C forum.
http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/...1Boss351HO400/
Not a lot of updates in the last week or so, but I guarantee you will OD on the Photos and links sections long before running out of info. Mark McKeon may be someone you want to contact. He does a lot of hard core Ford Engines like 950HP Nascar motors.
Nitrous definately changes some things but I haven't seen an actual dyno test where the iron AU heads made 500HP. I think people invest way too much money trying to port them to death.
We know the 4Vs can make 800HP without nitrous on a stroked 400. It's been done already, and it also sets the bar for the durability limit of a stock 400 block.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/dcforum/...mID12/142.html
The BTs I mentioned aren't going to come close to 1700HP without a LOT of time & money spent, but their minimum recommendation is 450HP before you even consider them. They flow pretty well out of the box too.
http://home.isoa.net/%7Emharrisj/fordhead.html
Some foot notes from a well informed Pantera guy about Cleveland type stock and aftermarket cylinder heads.
http://realbig.com/pipermail/detomas...il/010360.html
http://realbig.com/pipermail/detomas...er/020685.html
My 351C forum.
http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/...1Boss351HO400/
Not a lot of updates in the last week or so, but I guarantee you will OD on the Photos and links sections long before running out of info. Mark McKeon may be someone you want to contact. He does a lot of hard core Ford Engines like 950HP Nascar motors.
Nitrous definately changes some things but I haven't seen an actual dyno test where the iron AU heads made 500HP. I think people invest way too much money trying to port them to death.
We know the 4Vs can make 800HP without nitrous on a stroked 400. It's been done already, and it also sets the bar for the durability limit of a stock 400 block.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/dcforum/...mID12/142.html
The BTs I mentioned aren't going to come close to 1700HP without a LOT of time & money spent, but their minimum recommendation is 450HP before you even consider them. They flow pretty well out of the box too.
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2002
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If you are going to push a stock 400 block that hard you might want to do a little research on Nascar 351 clevelands. There are some modifications that can be done to support the cylinder walls and such. Things like block filler and adding support bolts through the outside of the block to the main thrust surface of the cylinders. You will need a stud girdle and possibly more to keep the caps on the block from moving around. You can also put a dowel pin in the block and cap like pontiac did in their motors to help out a little. There is no way that a stock cast crank is going to live with more than 600 hp naturally aspirated and throwing 2-300 nitrous on top of that. That would put you at 900 hp through a stock cast crank which is not up to that task. By the time you get through with all that b.s. to prop up the stock block and buy a forged crank you could probably buy a running 460 with aluminum heads and forged crank for the same money. That way you have access to all the latest svo products.