Hi everyone. I am currently saving up to build my 400 in my truck. I know this engine has potential with some money. I want to put cleveland heads on it with an edelbrock intake manifold and a holley 600cfm carb. I want to use 30 over hyper pistons and have my current crank micropolished. Put a comp cams camshaft and a huge 9qt oil pan(just for heck of it) but i dont know about the power i want. I would like to have around 450-500HP and over 500tq. Has anyone ever done this? Or does anyone think this is possible?

 

Your engine already has "Cleveland" heads but to get that kind of power you may want to use some of the newer aluminum heads available for the engine. Check this forum and Sponsor TMI (above) for parts and pistons.
http://campaigns.ford-trucks.net/cam...eyerinc.com%2F

 

To get 500HP out of a 400 you'll have to go ***** to the wall (well without nitrous anyway). Check out TMI like Eric said above. There was a thread a little while ago on a 400 build he did, check out his recent posts till you find it. And for those HP/TQ numbers you'll probably be better off (if not absolutely need) some forged pistons, like what comes in Tim's stoker kit.

 

My 400 is well past the 500hp mark. I've posted the build specs on another forum along with dyno results. Basically, you won't get there with a performer and a 600 carb. The sponsor for this site is a valuable source for what you need. If you want to do it yourself. You're gonna need some deep pockets. Start with the heads and intake. Look at CHI or AFD for heads. They both have several versions and you will need one of their mid level heads. I'm using a set of Boss 351 heads that we pulled off the shelf and ported. These have way too many hours in them and I should have just bought AFDs or CHIs. Both companies have some very good intakes. I believe CHI has the spacer plates you need to fit the 351C intake to the taller 400. If not, then contact Price Motorsports (expensive) or TMI (his may be a little less pricey) as they have the spacers. The old Weiand spacers can be found on e-Bay every now and then but I can't remember if those are for 2V heads only....been 15 years or more since I saw a set of those. Carb...well we could not break 500hp on my 408ci motor with a 750 Demon so we stepped up to a 850 Demon. Mind you, my motor is cammed for peak hp at 5500rpm but will continue pulling to 6500 (it can take 7500 but it's a street motor). That cam is my limiting factor as I wanted a hydro cam (I hate adjusting valves) and power brakes. You will need a cam that is approaching .600-.650 lift so forget the so called torque cams. Headers will need to be in the 1 3/4" primary size. I'm using a 2" primary but may switch to a 1 7/8" primary. These are some basic things I did but you need to talk to your machinist or a good engine builder before you start a project of this expense. Oh, one more thing, we flowed the heads and worked with a cam grinder to custom grind the cam for my motor. The overall price is not much more than an off-the-shelf cam so keep that in mind.

 

ok great thanks, i have found a place online that has 32valve heads for the 400. i think i will buy those and do like you said and get a awesome cam a big carb or make my own fuel injection system, but what about internals. did u get the hyper pistons that edelbrock has and crankshaft and that stuff. what did you do with that stuff. also oil system?