381 or 406?

[jdm86]

A friend recently gave me a 2-bolt 400 block. He felt it would make a great base for a engine build up for my vette. It is a stock 86 cpe with the 4+3 tranny. What would be the advantages of using a 350 crank versus the 400? I am interested in building a weekend thrasher. I have a miniram that had been installed on a 87 camaro that I also plan on using. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Jim

 

[vader86]

Destroking the 400 and making it to a 377 would be a good idea if you were putting on a MR. It would be able to rev like hell.

 

[jdm86]

Thanks for your reply Vader, I had been leaning that way and you pushed me over the edge. I ordered a 377 crank kit with 6" rods(the guy on the phone suggested them, and it didn't change the cost) and flat top pistons, which work out to a 10.8 compression ratio with my heads,----Will this engine make more power than my 4+3 tranny and rear end will want to see?

 

[vader86]

Both the D44 and 4+3 should be able to handle the power output. The 4+3 was used in the first Callaway vettes, and the D44 is bulletproof down to 1.5-1.6 60' times at the track.

I wouldve only suggested that you got the forged pistons and rods, since they will be under quite a bit of stress.

And upgrade the valvetrain with the best parts you can find if youre putting the MR on there.

 

[jdm86]

Thanks for the input

Appreciate the feedback. I did order all forged stuff so that shouldn't be the weaklink.
Thanks again