351c or 400
Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2001
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351c or 400
I have done alot of thinking and weighing pros and cons. For a 3000 pound application, which would be better for street/strip performance. The 351 will rev quicker, but the 400 has the torque. There are so many options.
Does anyone have any thoughts on the topic?
Does anyone have any thoughts on the topic?
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 5,871
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From: Coutts Canada
351c or 400
i would go with the cleveland. There are more performance options for the clevo, and yo can get more power for a lot cheaper. I think its a better motor to.
82' Flareside with 400 horse under the hood
82' Flareside with 400 horse under the hood
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2002
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351c or 400
I have read worrying things on this board about certain year 400's having a tendancy to crack around the lifters and other bad things about the 400, which I suppose would be expected because it was never intended to be a performance motor, wheras the 351C was sold by Ford in factory spec up to around 400hp (in australia at least). In short, although you CAN build a performance 400 (like Shazzam) the 351C is better suited to performance applications if you have a budget and are worried about parts availability.
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351c or 400
You have a point about the 400 blocks (certain years). I am just wondering about the lighter application. Would the 400 be as effective as the shorter stroke cleveland.
And how much HP can stock rods take for the two engines (with ARP bolts)
Thanks.
Mark
And how much HP can stock rods take for the two engines (with ARP bolts)
Thanks.
Mark
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Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 829
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From: Porterfield
351c or 400
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 04-Apr-02 AT 08:31 AM (EST)]OK Here's My Idiea on this ..
I've had a dream of sticking one of my monster 400's into a Ford Ranger, It will fit with a few Mods. Problem is Frame Flex and getting the tires to stick to the pavement.
The 400 makes so much Torque that if you could transfer it all to the Ground there wouldn't be to many street car that would be able to keep up with it .
As for stock rods I wouldn't push them over 400 Hp..
I've had a dream of sticking one of my monster 400's into a Ford Ranger, It will fit with a few Mods. Problem is Frame Flex and getting the tires to stick to the pavement.
The 400 makes so much Torque that if you could transfer it all to the Ground there wouldn't be to many street car that would be able to keep up with it .
As for stock rods I wouldn't push them over 400 Hp..
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Junior User
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: Durango U.S. of A.
351c or 400
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 04-Apr-02 AT 03:38 PM (EST)]The two engines have different purposes in life. The 351C is a higher revving engine built for horsepower at high rpms. The 400 is a low end torque motor with all of its power at low rpms. I guess you have to decide on how you plan on using it. Having an engine that needs to rev rev up to or over 6000rpm is pretty useless in a 4x4 and a 400 doesn't make much sense in a road racer. I'm getting about 325hp with the built 400 in my '78 Bronco, but it gets all of its power from idle to about 4000rpm, max. How do you plan on using it?
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From: Albuquerque
351c or 400
Just a few of my thoughts.
The cracking in the lifter valley on 400 engines is a casting problem from a certain foundry and is not connected to performance use.
The 400 is a great "torque" engine while the Cleveland is noted for horspower. To get good horsepower out of a C you need two things. Lots of compression and lots of RPM's. This is difficult to deal with in a "street" engine. It's dificult to drive normally and you need high octane gas.
I think the 400 rods are good to 6,000 rpm and maybe 500 hp if polished/peened and reconditioned and with ARP bolts. They are actually pretty beefy on the big end.
A fairly hairy 400 such as mine in a 3,000 pound car could use tall gears and have torque to burn. Biggest problem would be getting traction. I should be making 500 foot/pounds of torque from 2,000rpm on up with the smallest roller cam that Crane offers. Any more power in that size car and you'll need sub frame connectors, roll cage and a 4 link to keep from tearing the car apart on the launch.
Sure would make an interesting car!
Bear Tracks
The cracking in the lifter valley on 400 engines is a casting problem from a certain foundry and is not connected to performance use.
The 400 is a great "torque" engine while the Cleveland is noted for horspower. To get good horsepower out of a C you need two things. Lots of compression and lots of RPM's. This is difficult to deal with in a "street" engine. It's dificult to drive normally and you need high octane gas.
I think the 400 rods are good to 6,000 rpm and maybe 500 hp if polished/peened and reconditioned and with ARP bolts. They are actually pretty beefy on the big end.
A fairly hairy 400 such as mine in a 3,000 pound car could use tall gears and have torque to burn. Biggest problem would be getting traction. I should be making 500 foot/pounds of torque from 2,000rpm on up with the smallest roller cam that Crane offers. Any more power in that size car and you'll need sub frame connectors, roll cage and a 4 link to keep from tearing the car apart on the launch.
Sure would make an interesting car!
Bear Tracks
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Joined: Oct 2001
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351c or 400
I'm looking for a max shift point around 6500. I'm looking for around 350 hp with a 100 shot of nitrous. 350 hp for the street and the shot for the track.
I'm going with hyperououou (you know what I mean) Pistons going for between 10 and 1.5 to 1 comp. With the 400 I would go for 9.5 to 1.
still deciding on solid or hydrolic (I can't afford a roller setup just yet.
I'm just debating which engine to use.
I'm going with hyperououou (you know what I mean) Pistons going for between 10 and 1.5 to 1 comp. With the 400 I would go for 9.5 to 1.
still deciding on solid or hydrolic (I can't afford a roller setup just yet.
I'm just debating which engine to use.