I wanted to know how I should build my 400 for good torque and hp. I'm not concerned with gas milage. Would like to get the compression up. I want to know what works and what doesn't, what results you got with what combo and so on. Thanks

mudbogger400

 

well man, if you have a subscription to hot rod(or a friend who does..) go back and look at september 98, they have a buildup of a 400 in it. they used a comp cams xtremem energy #268 cam with about 220 degrees duration at 0.050 inch lift(they say not too go too big on a cam, cuz it wont make much torque on the low end, and im assuming you are gonna have this in a truck so youll be better off with a grunt motor than a high winder anyway). they used oem two barrel head castings with a three angle valve job and new valves(stainless steel for longevity), got silv-o-lite pistons(0.030 oversize) with reverse domes, that with the heads being shaved 0.025 net them 9.45:1 compression. upgrade the ignition to something like msd, with a control box too(like the 6al) their combo netted 382 hp with all emission gear intact and 456 lb-ft of torque. and i think that edlebrock now has a dual plane intake manifold for the 400, too. hope all this helps, and good luck,
mike

 

youll need a set of Badger pistons if you want anything over 8:1 compression , The part # is 400-100F they are a cast piston with 76cc heads they will have a compression ratio of 10:1 IM getting a set for my next rebuild , ...........

I blew my old 400... I had the edlebrock performer , intake , carter 625 cfm carb, headers...with 2.75 rear axle it would smoke em down
PS the engine had over 200k on it when I installed the stuff it was just experimental, I now have a fresh stock rebuilt 400 with the intake and carter carb, its still hell on the wheels

PSS heres the phone number to order the Badger pistons 626-869-0270 they are $149 for the pistons and pins
email me at seanwb@tisd.net if you wanna shoot the breeze about your 400 build up

 

Hey fozzy,

Can you post more on the specs of the Badger pistons? Flat top or dished, comp. height, etc?

Thanks,

Bill

 

>Can you post more on the
>specs of the Badger pistons?
>Flat top or dished, comp.
>height, etc?

Hey Bill,

Those are the Ohio 1282P pistons. Ohio makes them and they are sold under several other brand names, including Badger, Ertel, and Nylen.

BubbaF250

1980 F250 4x4 Custom, 351M/NP435/NP208/D44HD-TTB/D60-FF/3.55s 6750 GVW, Rust & White.

 

Ahh...so the 10:1 C.R. would be a little "overstated" for these pistons...

Thanks Dave.

 

>I wanted to know how I
>should build my 400 for
>good torque and hp. I'm
>not concerned with gas milage.
>Would like to get the
>compression up. I want to
>know what works and what
>doesn't, what results you got
>with what combo and so
>on. Thanks

mudbogger400,

There are two ways to get the compression up, both involve pistons. You can get the inexpensive cast Ohio 1282P pistons (under various brand names) and have a drop-in replacement for about 9.0-9.2:1 CR. Or you can get almost any 351C piston and bush the top end of the rods to fit the slightly smaller 351C pin.

The main advantage of the 351C pistons is that you can get hypereutectic or forged pistons, and almost any CR you can imagine. The down side to the 351C pistons is the slight weakness you introduce by bushing the rods. I have seen 351C pistons go for over 70K miles in a 400 with no problems yet. If you're concerned with longevity and you don't need the more exotic alloys, then go with the Ohio cast 400 pistons.

The other thing you have to do to the 400 is cam it up. I've seen decent results with the Comp 265DEH (388hp, 485ft/lb), but you can go farther (like the HR article suggested) and get more still.

If you want real power, I'd recommend a cam with intake duration of about 215 @ 0.050" and exhaust duration of 225 @ 0.050", 0.5-0.550" gross lift, and lobe separation 110 degrees. There are several cams from different companies near those specs.

BubbaF250

 

My dad just redone the 400 in his 78F150. The mods follow.
.030 overbore with low compression pistons (couldnt find others at the time)
standard bottom end rebuild
Heads were completely gone through with replacement valves, springs, keepers, retainers, rockers (stock) , etc.
Edelbrock Performer intake
Carter 625 carb
Blue Racer 528 lift cam (sounds real good)

The motor is a complete animal. It will set you back in the seat like nobodys business. Seems like a good combo. Make sure you have the heads and block Magnafluxed. They are both crack prone from what I understand. I went through three blocks and two sets of heads.
89 F150 4x4 300/4 speed 33.12.50 w/Rancho lift 3.55 gears
82 Mustang GT 302 C4 + nitrous=FAST
91 Mustang GT basic bolt ons- GM Eater