SBC_400

personaly I am big fan of the smaller displacement v8, reguardless of the fact that I have a 400 in my datsun. But if you do a small dispalcement v8 , you have to do it right, dont mess around with 265, or any other standard small block. My obsession is with the olds and buick all aluminum block 215 from the early 60's. This engine was the topic of heavy research in the 70's and 80's an did make it into the f1 program with decent results. The rights of this engine has been picked up by Rover as of late. they have built it up to a 4.6 L in recent years with a very good fuel injection system. there is an engine builder in almont MI, who build these engines only, I forget the name of the company at the moment, But i will get the website and post it for thoes who are interested, he ran a vette in the 60's with a 215, and I believe he was running somthing in the 8's on the quarter mile. these engines can be pushed extremely far too, as they are mainly built for road racing. A standard 215 block can be bored and stroked to nearly 5.0L, and run with a compression ratio of 13.5 to one with relative ease, the company builds extra large valve body heads, and an intake to run quad down draft webber 45dcoe and will run around a road course at an average of 6k rpm's You can run 300-500 hp in an engine that is substatialy lighter than an iron block 350. and as we all know horse power is just a number to brag about, but it is the hp-weight ratio that makes cars fast. the main reason I did not go this way is that i am poor and it coast about double what it does the build a standard small block. just my thoughts.

what exactly is the deal with using the front pumpkin from a nissan 4x4. I have heard a little on this but dont realy know much. I was told that it was one way to get posi. Is this true

If you still need a smaller frame, a cj-5 or an older 2a, comonly known as the willy's would have an even shorter wheel base, or an early scout. the 800 series would be about the correct size. And the 4wheel drive on the 800 is one of the toughest I have ever owned.

are there any parts that can be used from the 79-84 toyota other then the calipers? My friend has an 83 4x4 that he is sending to the wrecking yard, and he will let me scavenge whatever i want off of it before it goes. scott

I have never heard of this swap, but I do know that the mid 80's audi 4000 quatro's did have a form of an lsd in them because they were all wheel drive, not 4wd, and they also had a lockout feature. A little dial on the dash that totaly lockes the front and rear diffs. If it fits it would be a sweet deal.

Have you replaced your power brake booster? Is there a mysterious smoke frome your exhaust on back down? because if so, your booster may be bad in which case you are drawing brake fluid through the vacume line on your booster, and burning it up in your engine. Most likely it would be draining the rear brakes. Just a thought scott Team Dui at the dirt track

I found a set on e-bay for a 79-83 280 zx, would they fit on my 240? and there is also as a set from a 77 z. what do you think? scott

thanks Tomahawk, I will check on the S.T.'s team DUI updates

Ok, I have a 71 240z with a SBC 400 with an aluminum intake, and aluminum heads. the car also has a body kit (big steel fender flares). right now it has the stock spring and struts, and it needs help. I have bottoming out issues on the front. My question is ..... what springs, brand and spring rates do i need to fix this, and to ballence out the front and rear. and what shocks to use with the springs. now, I want to stay away from coil overs for reasons haveing to do with money, and I dont want a total rock, I would like it to be more to the streatable with good handeling. what do you guys think thanks my race updates

I have a 71 240 with the 400sbc, built with large port alluminum heads high compression flat top pistons, and an edelbrock victor intake. The tranny is just a turbo 350, and it is a beast. But I am looking in to a manual conversion. I just have to get the spring rates correct. scott

thanks for the tips, I will check for the clutch mount tomarow whe I am in the garage. other than that, any thoughts on what the best trans to use is, based on ease of instalation, and final gear ratios?

well, i dont have a clutch pedal, can that just be added to the current pedal group, or do I need to buy a whole new pedal cluster?

I have 71 240z with a chevy small block 400, and a turbo 350 trans, what is the chance of changing it to a manual , like a BW or a Muncie, and what might be the average cost