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  #1  
Old 08-30-2009, 10:46 PM
Kmontgomery Kmontgomery is offline
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Default building a 400 bb drag engine, need some advise

I'm going to build a 400b drag engine. I have no experience with mopar engines at all. I would like about 650hp +/- to start. What do you guy's have?
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Old 08-31-2009, 12:44 AM
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ehostler ehostler is offline
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Is 400 a limitation due to class or because it is what you have on hand? I ask as a 440 would be a better choice for the power level.

Are you looking at natural aspiration (carb/efi) or forced induction (turbo charger, pro charger, blower)?

Do you want it on the bottle or off the bottle? If you are building the engine from the ground up, then there is no real reason for it to be on the bottle.
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Old 08-31-2009, 09:40 AM
Kmontgomery Kmontgomery is offline
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No class limitation's. I have the 400 already. 650 hp is just as easy to get out of the 400 as it is the 440. Im just wondering what parts you guy's are using if anyone has a 400 based drag engine. Im looking at a forged 500 ci stroker kit. Either Brodix b1 bs heads or indy ez-1 max wedge heads. Flat top Diamond pistons. With 64cc heads it should be aroud 12:8-1 compression. Plus or minus. No spray. Just all motor. Maybe down the road but for now no cheater juice
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Old 08-31-2009, 08:02 PM
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nhdriver nhdriver is offline
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You can do a "cheapo" stroker, use a 440 crank in the 400 block which comes out to 451 cubes. There are off the shelf pistons for this application.
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Old 08-31-2009, 10:07 PM
djswwg djswwg is offline
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if it's strictly for drag racing (no street use) and you are serious about 650 horses then use a main cap girdle system, and fill it with hard bloc to within 1" of the underside of the deck. i'd suggest www.brcproducts.com, they make the best cap/girdle system. don't go over 500 cubes with a 400 block as the rods get real short and it's easy to get the power you want with that size motor anyway. use a stout solid roller cam, and a 1000cfm carb up to 6600 rpm. if you are using a 4.56 or bigger gear and or more rpm, better look into a 1050 dominator. only thing is it's hard to get a 400 intake with a dominator flange. weiand use to make one but no more, only the 440 style now. if someone reading this is aware of a good one for the 383/400 please let us know. don't skimp on making the block tough, specially if you are gonna spray it.............djs
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Old 08-31-2009, 10:10 PM
djswwg djswwg is offline
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sorry everyone, that's www.bcrproducts.com, NOT brc.......djs
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  #7  
Old 09-02-2009, 07:02 PM
Zach H Zach H is offline
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I would go to 440source.com they sell complete stroker kits that come balanced for $1897. They have a kit that will turn your 400 into a 512 with a 4.250 Stroke and 6.535 Rod. The stroke is 4.250 and bore should be 4.350 at a .010 over bore. stats pretty square. Hope this helps
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Old 09-03-2009, 08:17 AM
DartGT66 DartGT66 is offline
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I" from the deck may be too close, the bolt bosses are pretty deep and going that close may block water circulation. Anyway, some "hard block" is a good idea. About an inch doesn't harm anything even in street use,but still makes the cylinder wall stiffer. I wouldn't go much beyond "half fill" even in a gasoline race engine. If you are going to stroke it, it really doesnät matter much money vice which size you choose. The 4.15" stroke uses the lightest pistons while still retaining decent rod ratio. For creating power, the most important choice is the cylinder heads. You need heads capable of easily support the power level you aim at. Indys or Edelbrock Victors with Max Wedge port size should be more than capable for the job. For 650 hp with the right cam and valvetrain, you can still use pump gas friendly CR. With the current parts availability, 650 hp isn't hard or extremely expensive to obtain.
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Old 09-04-2009, 12:08 PM
GLoy GLoy is offline
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K, the 400 will be fine but you will very easily pass by the 650hp with the combo you describe, so dont set any limits and just build a good solid mtr..
my mtr is 400blk. with 440crank 4.150str. 6.535bbchevy rods, bored.055. block is filled,ross flat top pistons at 0 deck 12.5 to 1 comp....mopar stage 6 heads max wedge ports, indy intake, 1150 dominator, comp cams 750 roller.all this makes a monster mtr.. still tweeking and wheelstand is out of controll lol 3000lb car 6.1x so far in the 1/8th and going faster every time out...launch at 3000 shift at 6800 very easy on mtr. if you would like more details give a shout be glad to help..
G
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  #10  
Old 09-06-2009, 07:13 PM
MerrittRacing MerrittRacing is offline
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I currently have a 451(400) in my 69 Charger. It is one of the greatest setups I have ever had for the money. It is also used for strictly drag racing. It is a '71 400 block, eagle 4340 3.75 crank, eagle h-beam rods, Ross dome pistons. All shelf stuff. Comp Cams cam and Mopar Stage VI heads. Made 770hp on the dyno. Just my 2 cents.
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  #11  
Old 09-07-2009, 08:50 AM
MReeves MReeves is offline
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Mine is very close to GLoy's... 400 blk, 440 crank, hard block, Lunadi roller, Indy 440-1 heads, Indy intake and Quick Fuel. Also agree with the girdle.. I have a 500" stroker kit I bought 2 years ago but its still in the box. Don't need it with this combo....
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  #12  
Old 10-04-2009, 11:22 PM
451Mopar 451Mopar is offline
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Here is my 400 stroked to 500" with the 440 source kit, and max wedge port Edelbrock Victor heads, Plus the BCR aluminum main caps and girdle system.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg IMG_2821.JPG (26.6 KB, 16 views)
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  #13  
Old 10-05-2009, 02:52 PM
Paul Precht Paul Precht is offline
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M Reeves, how fast is your Barracuda and at what weight, Paul.
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  #14  
Old 10-06-2009, 06:29 PM
MReeves MReeves is offline
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Paul, Barracuda weights in at 3,000 lbs. Best time in cool winter air at Orlando Speed World is 9.95 @ 133 mph. But in normal hot summer racing 10.20's @ 127mph..... Hope this helps... Mack
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  #15  
Old 10-07-2009, 07:18 PM
GLoy GLoy is offline
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would think your cuda would be faster than that as im sure it hooks better than my challenger....
gary
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  #16  
Old 10-07-2009, 08:40 PM
MReeves MReeves is offline
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GLoy , nope that is all she runs. But she does have over 400 passes on her. Thinking about pulling and freshining this winter..... May put the 500" kit in her.....
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