silicone boy Posted August 2, 2001 Share Posted August 2, 2001 Hey everyone. Just wanted to pick your brains. I have a 77 280 with a mildly warmed over 355. Love it, but I'm already planning the next evolution with more power and/or displacement. I see many of you have gone the 383 route, and that was what I had been planning. Then I got to thinking, what about rebuilding a 400 small block? I know they are not easy to find anymore, but it can still be done. The torque would be awesome. I'm not sure why I haven't seen too many on this board. The other (and cheapest alternative) would be to use what I already have (the 300 HP 355) and add a set of AFR heads and a cam. 400 or more HP should be within easy reach. Which route would you go? Thanks in advance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted August 2, 2001 Share Posted August 2, 2001 buy the heads and make horsepower. You dont need that much torque with a 2800lb car. You should easily get over 400 with the AFR heads and have plent of usable torque. See their web page if you have not already it is almost as impressive as Hybrid Z. I want a set of those heads too. They seem to be the best bang for the buck of all heads out there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Shasteen Posted August 2, 2001 Share Posted August 2, 2001 I agree w/Bubbafet; the Z doesnt need a lot of torque due to its lightweight body. Go w/the Alluminum Intake, Different Cam Profile & Alluminum Cyl.Heads....Emphasis on Alluminum Cyl.Heads. W/the technology now existing in Alluminum Cyl.Heads you can easliy obtain that magic 400hp level w/more than enough torque for the Z. Save the money & go w/the Alluminum Heads....then again/there's no substituion for cubic inches; just depends on what you want! Kevin, (Yea,Still an Inliner) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest super280z Posted August 2, 2001 Share Posted August 2, 2001 the last afr chevy buildup i saw in hrm pulled close to 500 hp @ the flywheel. go heads and cam. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike C Posted August 2, 2001 Share Posted August 2, 2001 The 355 is more durable and much less expensive than the 406 or even the 383. The AFRs are great. You can also check out the Pro Action iron heads (by AFR) or Dart Iron Eagle 215s which are about $600 less than the aluminum which could be spent on a mechanical roller cam. Big power. Figure 100 horsepower more than a compareable hydraulic flat tappet with a good set of heads. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Posted August 2, 2001 Share Posted August 2, 2001 With your present combo you may want to look at the GM fast burn heads and the Hot roller cam... 450+hp and you can use your lower end... Now if you are building another motor go with the AFR's and buy a zz4 short block and a big roller cam.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavyZ Posted August 2, 2001 Share Posted August 2, 2001 The 400 engines are just getting more rare. I would love one of those too, but thinking about what engine, what displacement, etc, is like putting a kid in a candy store! There is so much to choose from. Nothing wrong with a 400, but it will make an obscene amount of torque. Can you use it all? If your car is to be used on the street, it may be a bit much---but of course, so is Darius' ride, and I'm sure not too many guys on this board would turn his car down if given the chance You decide. Davy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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