SB Chev 355 or 406

parkdale · 10-14-2016, 12:57 PM

building a street and strip engine and was wondering on the pros and cons on these two engines . I was told to stay away from the 400 . any comments ?

larrylomascolo · 10-14-2016, 01:48 PM

400 externally balanced,and do you see many out there,,i dont ,so that tells me enough ,,,,

Dave1695 · 10-14-2016, 01:59 PM

There is nothing wrong with the 400, with some minor upgrades that Chevy could have done. I ran one for years in my 67 Camaro, with small valve heads and cam from a 350. The car weight was 3100 and with 4.56 gears, ran 11 flat in ugly air and low 10.70's in good fall air.

gd31 · 10-14-2016, 02:30 PM

I'll add to the mix. How about a 383?

TOSTO RACING · 10-14-2016, 03:01 PM

Have had a ton of 355's very reliable low maintenance motors. Roller cam Brodix track 1's and 13.5 to 1 comp 10.30's all day long in a 3400 pound camaro . Had a tunnel ram and splits on one in my 70 camaro back in the 90's ran. 9.80's at 3400 pounds ! Yiu can buy everything reasonable for one .

parkdale · 10-14-2016, 03:56 PM

i have some parts in stock for the 355 and the 406 but none for the 383 such as the stroker crank to fit the 350 block , i believe the rods are all 5.7

dmir55 · 10-14-2016, 11:07 PM

If you build a 383, you must cut the mains, of the 400 crank, to 350 size. Then you use standard pin height 350 pistons with a 400 rod. Good torque engine for the money. The 350 block seems to have better head gasket sealing. But nothing beats cubic inches.

carl hinkson · 10-15-2016, 09:08 AM

I hate the 400 blocks have seen them crack just bolting a toque plate on. The the only block when it comes in the shop I get paid 100% up front. Pretty frail block compared to a 350 block.

Using stock 400 rods in a performance 400 build in really not the hot set up !!!

Don't wast your time having some one grind an old 400 its some times a waste of money as when grinding a crank that much the oil holes do move closer to the radius.

I don't recommend using a externally balanced crank in a performance build.

If your building a budget build you can buy a Scat 9000 series crank for around 200.00 That will internally balance and they have one for a one piece seal block that will internally balance no problem , Scat 6.0 I-Beam rods with 7/16 bolts 300.00, Pistons Wiseco has a good deal on there Protrue series pistons and rings for about 425.00

If you can find a one piece seal block and use GM Hot cam 234/242 and buy there roller lifters as kit makes for a cheap roller cam and lifters. The Dart SHP 180 CC runner heads 64CC chambers.

I have done that build many times with very good results.

Eman · 10-17-2016, 02:47 PM

Street,strip, bracket build a 350. There is no engine better for the buck, with incredible durability. If you want to build a 400 buy an aftermarket block now...or later when you waste a lot of time and money.

carl hinkson · 10-17-2016, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eman

Street,strip, bracket build a 350. There is no engine better for the buck, with incredible durability. If you want to build a 400 buy an aftermarket block now...or later when you waste a lot of time and money.

X10000000000000 I have seen a lot of guys spend good money on bad when it comes to OEM 400 blocks !!!

10-14-2016, 12:57 PM	#1
parkdale Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 13 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	SB Chev 355 or 406 building a street and strip engine and was wondering on the pros and cons on these two engines . I was told to stay away from the 400 . any comments ?

10-14-2016, 01:48 PM	#2
larrylomascolo Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Ontario,canada Posts: 440 Likes: 70 Liked 66 Times in 29 Posts	Re: SB Chev 355 or 406 400 externally balanced,and do you see many out there,,i dont ,so that tells me enough ,,,,

10-14-2016, 01:59 PM	#3
Dave1695 Member Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 160 Likes: 0 Liked 15 Times in 11 Posts	Re: SB Chev 355 or 406 There is nothing wrong with the 400, with some minor upgrades that Chevy could have done. I ran one for years in my 67 Camaro, with small valve heads and cam from a 350. The car weight was 3100 and with 4.56 gears, ran 11 flat in ugly air and low 10.70's in good fall air.

10-14-2016, 02:30 PM	#4
gd31 Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2016 Posts: 8 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: SB Chev 355 or 406 I'll add to the mix. How about a 383?

10-14-2016, 03:01 PM	#5
TOSTO RACING Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: DRAGSTRIP Posts: 873 Likes: 828 Liked 595 Times in 172 Posts	Re: SB Chev 355 or 406 Have had a ton of 355's very reliable low maintenance motors. Roller cam Brodix track 1's and 13.5 to 1 comp 10.30's all day long in a 3400 pound camaro . Had a tunnel ram and splits on one in my 70 camaro back in the 90's ran. 9.80's at 3400 pounds ! Yiu can buy everything reasonable for one . __________________ 5664 GHI/SA CAMARO

10-14-2016, 03:56 PM	#6
parkdale Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 13 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: SB Chev 355 or 406 i have some parts in stock for the 355 and the 406 but none for the 383 such as the stroker crank to fit the 350 block , i believe the rods are all 5.7

10-14-2016, 11:07 PM	#7
dmir55 Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: northern Minnesota Posts: 64 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: SB Chev 355 or 406 If you build a 383, you must cut the mains, of the 400 crank, to 350 size. Then you use standard pin height 350 pistons with a 400 rod. Good torque engine for the money. The 350 block seems to have better head gasket sealing. But nothing beats cubic inches.

10-15-2016, 09:08 AM	#8
carl hinkson Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: NORTHEAST Posts: 287 Likes: 1 Liked 18 Times in 10 Posts	Re: SB Chev 355 or 406 I hate the 400 blocks have seen them crack just bolting a toque plate on. The the only block when it comes in the shop I get paid 100% up front. Pretty frail block compared to a 350 block. Using stock 400 rods in a performance 400 build in really not the hot set up !!! Don't wast your time having some one grind an old 400 its some times a waste of money as when grinding a crank that much the oil holes do move closer to the radius. I don't recommend using a externally balanced crank in a performance build. If your building a budget build you can buy a Scat 9000 series crank for around 200.00 That will internally balance and they have one for a one piece seal block that will internally balance no problem , Scat 6.0 I-Beam rods with 7/16 bolts 300.00, Pistons Wiseco has a good deal on there Protrue series pistons and rings for about 425.00 If you can find a one piece seal block and use GM Hot cam 234/242 and buy there roller lifters as kit makes for a cheap roller cam and lifters. The Dart SHP 180 CC runner heads 64CC chambers. I have done that build many times with very good results.

10-17-2016, 02:47 PM	#9
Eman Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: E TN Posts: 463 Likes: 16 Liked 125 Times in 71 Posts	Re: SB Chev 355 or 406 Street,strip, bracket build a 350. There is no engine better for the buck, with incredible durability. If you want to build a 400 buy an aftermarket block now...or later when you waste a lot of time and money.