350 or 400

84355SS

Weekend Racer
Jan 29, 2008
62
0
0
southwestern michigan
It has been 10 years since I had chevy small block. I cannot remember how strong it ran. I have a choice between 350 or 400. I understand that the 400 is stronger but the 350 is more reliable. Which one would you guys recommended. Will that 350 put my malibu into 12-11 second range and still be reliable? Or am I better off with 400? I was worried that the 400 can be bored .030 over and anything over that is a risk. And 350 can be bored up to .060 over and possibly a 383 stroker in the future. I am afraid that if I get the 350 then in the long run, I want more power. Something that we all want!
 

bowtie81

Moderator
Mar 28, 2008
5,008
0
36
sarnia, ontario canada
a 350 is stronger than a 400 imo. you can build a good working 400 into a 427 with the right machining and grinding. the 400 2 bolt is stronger than the 4 bolt 400. a 350 can be stroked to a 396 and be very reliable. if your gonna do a 400 take some extra money and go with a dart block. if you already have a 350 work with that. both will give you great power.
 

DOUG213XRJ

MalibuRacing Junkie
Sep 18, 2006
4,671
1
38
West, MI
I would go with a 406 with vortec heads, aluminum intake and a mild cam but i have a 355 already.
 

84355SS

Weekend Racer
Thread starter
Jan 29, 2008
62
0
0
southwestern michigan
I was looking for the 350 block through craigslist. I found 496 stroker eagle rotating assembly without the pistons. And .060 454 big block chevy with machined done to it and 781 heads for $800. I have never owned a big block and just started reading and learning about the details about it. Now I am going to look for the pistons , cam, intake, and other things for it. I am really excited about it. I hope it has enough power for me.
 
A

Anonymous

Guest
big blocks are great, and reliable. i punched mine .030 and stroked to a 489, then sat a 871 blower on top with some aluminum heads. its not even running yet i want more power lol. the power curve on my big block throught he whole power range is a straight line, thats what i love about big blocks.
 

blown 78

Dragway Regular
Dec 10, 2007
1,011
0
0
South Portland, Maine
every 400 i have had have been great. But i have had more luck and have gotten more power from a 350. To each his own. I just think a 350 is better. Plus if you throw a rod threw a 350 there alot easer to find than a good 400
 

JOHNWOJO

Frequent Racer
Jun 8, 2009
402
0
0
New Jersey
I had a 406 in my nova. very reliable. all motor no power adders car went 10.20 through the flowmasters on 10" slicks. Not bad for a 3600 pound car with my big butt in there. Had a 355 before the 406 and that went 10.90.
 

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bustedknuckle

Dragway Regular
Mar 4, 2008
959
0
16
St. Louis-Missouri
Theres no replacment for displacement!! Though the 400's tend to overheat more than just a plain jane 350 due to the siamesed bores. but all of that can be fixed with a good cooling system.
 

84355SS

Weekend Racer
Thread starter
Jan 29, 2008
62
0
0
southwestern michigan
The 496 deal, I ended up selling the rotating assembly and put it toward the 350. It has been a while since I posted about what choice I went with. I got 350 .030 over 4-bolt, sportman 2 head with ported and polished, comp cam 280 hyd. , 1.5 roller rocker, wieand stealth, 1 3/4 header. So far I am waiting for the 2800 stall convertor (should be here by the end of week). Also buying the Mallory HEI this Friday. In about 2 weeks, I am going to look for either 750 edelbrock or holley.
 

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