14 bolt 9.5?

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

HotRodPC

Administrator
Staff member
Admin
Joined
Aug 29, 2010
Posts
47,008
Reaction score
8,972
Location
OKC, OK
First Name
HotRod
Truck Year
85 K20 LWB
Truck Model
Silverado
Engine Size
454 - Turbo 400 - 3.73
Ooh ooh, me me me! Lol. I had a 400 once, I liked it. I drilled steam holes into early LT1 heads and all that. Drilling them with a hand drill wasn't all that bad, but finding a bit that could actually drill the holes was a bitch.
I would too, IF I HAD A 400 to use, I'd use it. But this guy is considering sourcing or looking for a 400. IMO, if you don't have one, just stroke a 350. Even when he does find a rebuildable core 400, they can usually only go .030 over and done, where as a 350 you can bore, .020, .030, 040, and even .060. So if you broke a ring hotrodding and scored a cylinder, all is not lost either. I just see many more advantages to a stroked 350 over a 400 for the additional cubes. You're also going to get more rpm out of a stroked 350 with a 5.7 rod vs an OEM short 400 rod. 400's don't scare me, but for this guy here, I'd highly recommend the 383 over the 400 in his situation of not currently having a 400. Besides, when he does fine the 400 someone's going to think they have gold and want a nut and a leg at least below the knee for it.
 

rpcraft

Full Access Member
Joined
May 31, 2016
Posts
1,329
Reaction score
507
Location
Texas
First Name
Robert
Truck Year
1985
Truck Model
Jimmy
Engine Size
LS 6.0 364 CID
Is it just the steam holes? What else is there that could prevent you from using something like a set of Vortec heads.
 

rpcraft

Full Access Member
Joined
May 31, 2016
Posts
1,329
Reaction score
507
Location
Texas
First Name
Robert
Truck Year
1985
Truck Model
Jimmy
Engine Size
LS 6.0 364 CID
I would too, IF I HAD A 400 to use, I'd use it. But this guy is considering sourcing or looking for a 400. IMO, if you don't have one, just stroke a 350. Even when he does find a rebuildable core 400, they can usually only go .030 over and done, where as a 350 you can bore, .020, .030, 040, and even .060. So if you broke a ring hotrodding and scored a cylinder, all is not lost either. I just see many more advantages to a stroked 350 over a 400 for the additional cubes. You're also going to get more rpm out of a stroked 350 with a 5.7 rod vs an OEM short 400 rod. 400's don't scare me, but for this guy here, I'd highly recommend the 383 over the 400 in his situation of not currently having a 400. Besides, when he does fine the 400 someone's going to think they have gold and want a nut and a leg at least below the knee for it.


Availability is another line item. I would not feel bad ripping into a 350 and doing things that might otherwise destroy a 400 block, simply because there are not a lot around any more.
 

HotRodPC

Administrator
Staff member
Admin
Joined
Aug 29, 2010
Posts
47,008
Reaction score
8,972
Location
OKC, OK
First Name
HotRod
Truck Year
85 K20 LWB
Truck Model
Silverado
Engine Size
454 - Turbo 400 - 3.73
Is it just the steam holes? What else is there that could prevent you from using something like a set of Vortec heads.
I'm thinking Vortec heads on a 400, you better consider what fuel you're going to run cuz the compression ratio is going to be on up there. I'm thinking 87-89 octane isn't going to cut it unless you retard the hell outta the timing.
 

bucket

Super Moderator
Staff member
Super Moderator
Joined
Aug 3, 2010
Posts
28,956
Reaction score
23,465
Location
Usually not in Ohio
First Name
Andy
Truck Year
'77, '78, '79, '84, '88
Truck Model
K5 thru K30
Engine Size
350-454
I would too, IF I HAD A 400 to use, I'd use it. But this guy is considering sourcing or looking for a 400. IMO, if you don't have one, just stroke a 350. Even when he does find a rebuildable core 400, they can usually only go .030 over and done, where as a 350 you can bore, .020, .030, 040, and even .060. So if you broke a ring hotrodding and scored a cylinder, all is not lost either. I just see many more advantages to a stroked 350 over a 400 for the additional cubes. You're also going to get more rpm out of a stroked 350 with a 5.7 rod vs an OEM short 400 rod. 400's don't scare me, but for this guy here, I'd highly recommend the 383 over the 400 in his situation of not currently having a 400. Besides, when he does fine the 400 someone's going to think they have gold and want a nut and a leg at least below the knee for it.

Yep, I agree with that completely.

Is it just the steam holes? What else is there that could prevent you from using something like a set of Vortec heads.

Just the steam holes.
 

Squarehead1984

Junior Member
Joined
Mar 15, 2018
Posts
25
Reaction score
12
Location
Tuscola
First Name
Tommy
Truck Year
1984
Truck Model
C20
Engine Size
468
I have a buddy of mine that has a 406 with vortec heads in a Chevy luv. On nitrous it ran a 5.60 something 1/8 mile. That complete engine is now for sale carb to pan. MSD distributer and all. It dynoed 610 on motor I think, solid flat tappet cam.
 

Squarehead1984

Junior Member
Joined
Mar 15, 2018
Posts
25
Reaction score
12
Location
Tuscola
First Name
Tommy
Truck Year
1984
Truck Model
C20
Engine Size
468
Pretty nice truck

You must be registered for see images attach
 

HotRodPC

Administrator
Staff member
Admin
Joined
Aug 29, 2010
Posts
47,008
Reaction score
8,972
Location
OKC, OK
First Name
HotRod
Truck Year
85 K20 LWB
Truck Model
Silverado
Engine Size
454 - Turbo 400 - 3.73
And I'll assure you he is not running pump gas. So not a good combo for the street daily driver.
 

Squarehead1984

Junior Member
Joined
Mar 15, 2018
Posts
25
Reaction score
12
Location
Tuscola
First Name
Tommy
Truck Year
1984
Truck Model
C20
Engine Size
468
Yeah you would change the pistons and the cam but you would still have 500hp or better.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
41,848
Posts
903,419
Members
33,362
Latest member
Dhatch84
Top