Guest 280z400 Posted July 10, 2004 Share Posted July 10, 2004 Hello im new to hybridz but i like how everything is setup and i like the maturity of the forum, and respect what you all have to say. I have researched this forum about 400TPI and found nothing. I also don't know anything about how to build a Chevy motor or for performance either. I'm not scared its just back asswards from a japanese engine, like my vg30et in my 300zxT(currently rebuilding also). I own a datsun 280z with a seized motor(l28). I currently have a 400smc i will be rebuilding and droping into my datsun for a daily driven car. Ive often heard for a daily driven car you'll need to keep the rpms down on the freeway. So ive decided to go with a 700r4 transmission because of its overdrive. I have a TPI intake manifold and plenum that I matched up to my stock heads and the bolt pattern was the same. Would there be any disadvantages with this setup for the street? Or any reason this might not work? Getting good gas milage is a concern, but i know a cam would increase my power a bit but how do i determine the correct cam? Will MSA mounts fit this 400sb, or is jtr the only way to go? Thanks guys and i will and still am researching everything i can about chevy motors and about this swap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wheelman Posted July 10, 2004 Share Posted July 10, 2004 280z400, The JTR or MSA mounts will work with the 400. It uses the same mounts as all the other first and second generation small block chevys (non LS1 or Vortec). I would recommend getting the JTR manual if you don't already have it. The TPI manifold should be fine if your car is intended as a low RPM daily driver. The TPI manifolds don't breath well above 4000-4500 rpm but make lots of torque which you'll already have in abundance with the 400. As for the cam, you'll want a mild cam as the TPI amanifold won't let a more agressive cam breath well at the higher RPMS. Unfortunately I can't recommend one as choosing a cam is sort a black art. Give Crane Cams or Lunatti a call and talk to an expert about your application, they'll help you out. Wheelman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaleMX Posted July 10, 2004 Share Posted July 10, 2004 My TPI 305 ran out of juice at 4400. I can imagine a 400 would be much worse. I suspect you would be much better off with a good dual plane intake manifold and spreadbore carb setup and a CC 268 or 270 Xtreme energy cam. Put some good valve springs in it, and long tube headers and you'll have plenty of torque. Maybe Grumpyvette will chime in here and give you a good formula. Dale Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 280z400 Posted July 11, 2004 Share Posted July 11, 2004 280z400' date='The TPI manifold should be fine if your car is intended as a low RPM daily driver. The TPI manifolds don't breath well above 4000-4500 rpm but make lots of torque which you'll already have in abundance with the 400. Wheelman[/quote'] I am unsure as to why i would need a high RPM 400Sbc, it just causes undo stress right? Are there any advatanges with a low reving torque motor? Im totally baffled by being able to create a motor with a torque curve you cotrol. I just want this car to be about mid 13's with good gas milage. Is that possible with a low reving 400? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaleMX Posted July 11, 2004 Share Posted July 11, 2004 If you want mid 13's your going to be reving past 4000 rpm. More like 5500, maybe 6000. My SBC did that for 10 years and never had problems. Just dont abuse it. Dale Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavyZ Posted July 11, 2004 Share Posted July 11, 2004 I am unsure as to why i would need a high RPM 400Sbc, it just causes undo stress right? Are there any advatanges with a low reving torque motor? I have to tell you that there is a big difference between being able to rev to 4000 and 5500 or even 6000 rpm with the 400. We're talking some good amount of untapped horsepower! It would be wasted IMO. Yes, you can have an extremely torquey 400 with the TPI and the power will quickly fizzle. How fast can you shift? You'd do better to carb it as mentioned above. But again, that's an opinion. Funny, but V8 guys are just opinionated aren't we. Check out David Vizard's books on the SBC and buy a JTR manual. Davy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 280z400 Posted July 11, 2004 Share Posted July 11, 2004 Ok so ill go carbed, what exactly is a spreadbore, i found nothing on yahoo search about it, i know its holley and with that i thought i might be able to get some info but i found nothing only pics. What cfm do you recommend for a street/daily driven and wants good milage but also do about do a mid 13. Or do you just have a website i could visit lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 305240 Posted July 11, 2004 Share Posted July 11, 2004 I just got back from the drag strip with my buddy and his 70 camaro. He's running a 400 with flat top pistons. around 9.8 compression ratio, and a holley 750 double pumper. The car is stripped, and weighs almost nothing. He usually runs in the mid 12's with it. However, last night he could only get into the low 13's. The car was starving for fuel when it hit the 6000rpm 2nd to 3rd shift point, and it continued to starve, so he had to back out of it. He told me it ran better with his 830 on it. I know it has a pretty healthy cam in it, along with long tube headers and slicks. He's also running an HEI set up. BTW, he's also running a stroked 400 in his stock car. Modified class. He claims torque rules! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaleMX Posted July 11, 2004 Share Posted July 11, 2004 Sorry about using the term spreadbore. A holley 750 is a great choice, or a quadrajet. The quadrajet has very small primaries and will help with the gas mileage. But the secondaries are big so when you get on it you've go lots of power. The holley's are eaiser to tune but blow out power valves on backfires. I think more power can be made with a holley also. Dont get an Edelbrock carb, they are junk! A Edelbrock performer manifold will do you well, or the performer rpm. As long as your rebuilding you might as well toss in a good timing chain and gear set along with a decent oil pump. HEI is fine, but I think folks have issue with them getting in the way of the hood latch sometimes. You really should get the conversion book and review it before you make any decissions. Dale P.S. There are lots of options when it comes to intakes. If you decide that fuel injection is the way to go then there are folks that make TPI components that will improve the air flow. Also you can use an LT1 intake on your beast and really wake it up. I believe that Tim240 is working on that and may chime in here. Here is a web page for some info. http://www.popularhotrodding.com/tech/0803phr_beast/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 280z400 Posted July 11, 2004 Share Posted July 11, 2004 Ok so im going carburated with an Edelbrock Q-Jet 750 will i need an adaptor if i use the Edelbrock performer rpm intake? I've looked up this 270 engergy cam but the cc268 im clueless on. There are soo many cams and im clueless about chevy cams. Hydrolic this and flat tapet that, i don't even know what my 400sbc has, can anyone point me to a website stating the difference between them. Ive tried searching but nothing comes up for me. Im gonna learn all i can about chevy motors. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
love-my-V8-280Z Posted July 17, 2004 Share Posted July 17, 2004 If your interested I have both the JTR books and would sell them together for halve cost of new actual shipping... Of couse they have a little grease on them but they are in great shape and can as many digital pics as you like... Of couse not a digital pic of each page LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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