How To Build A 400ci SBC Torque Monster For $2,500! - Parts List and Price

How To Build A 400Ci Small Block Chevy Torque Monster For 2500 Test With Vortec Bow Tie Cylinder Heads

PARTS LIST
DESCRIPTION	PN	SOURCE	PRICE
Used 400 short-block	used	junkyard	$120.00
Vortec iron heads, pair	12558060	Scoggin-Dickey	619.90
Vortec iron, SD-modified	SD8060A	Scoggin-Dickey	779.90*
Vortec Bow Tie, large-port	25534446	Scoggin-Dickey	985.70*
Summit piston rings, std.	133-661-00	Summit Racing	35.95
Summit oil pump, std. pressure	121155	Summit Racing	22.95
Federal-Mogul oil pump pickup	Z2241246	Summit Racing	11.95
Federal-Mogul main bearings	Z4926MA10	Summit Racing	51.95
Federal-Mogul rod bearings	Z82555CP10	Summit Racing	29.95
Federal-Mogul cam bearings	Z1235M	Summit Racing	17.95
Federal-Mogul oil pump drive	Z2246146	Summit Racing	8.95
Sealed Power gasket set	R2601016	Summit Racing	45.95
Fel-Pro Vortec intake gasket set	1255	Summit Racing	24.69
Summit Racing camshaft kit	K1107	Summit Racing	100.95
Summit Racing valvespring kit	174000	Summit Racing	71.95
Summit timing set	G6501	Summit Racing	13.95
Summit stock pushrods	G6400	Summit Racing	26.95
Sealed Power brass freeze plug kit	Z381	Summit Racing	18.95
VHT Chevy orange paint	DE1620	Summit Racing	6.95
GMPP self-align 3/8-inch rocker arms	12495490	Summit Racing	61.95
Edelbrock Vortec Perf. RPM intake	7116	Summit Racing	187.95
Weiand Speed Warrior dual-plane	8501	Summit Racing	209.95*
Holley 750 mech.-secondary carb	0-4779	swap meet	150.00
Oil pan, timing, and valve covers	used	swap meet	10.00
Used 15/8-inch headers	used	swap meet	50.00
HEI distributor	used	boneyard	25.00
Summit Racing plug wires	868836	Summit Racing	29.95
Bosch Super + spark plugs	7975	Auto Zone	15.92
Wix oil filter	51069	Summit Racing	5.95
Comp Cams break-in oil, 10W-30	1590	Summit Racing	26.25
PARTS SUBTOTAL			$1,792.86

Comp nitrided Thumpr hyd. cam	12-601-20	Summit Racing	274.95*
Comp Pro Magnum hydraulic lifters	858-16	Summit Racing	94.95*
Comp oil, semisynthetic, 10W-30, 5-qt	1594	Summit Racing	39.75*
Comp break-in lubricant	159	Summit Racing	10.95*

MACHINE WORK OPERATIONS	Cost
Hot-tank block	$60.00
Install cam bearings	50.00
Resize big ends of rods	100.00
Torque-plate-hone cylinders	190.00
Grind crankshaft	240.00
Machine valveguides and reassemble	80.00
MACHINE TOTAL:	$720.00
GRAND TOTAL	$2,512.86

*Not included in Grand Total
While this total may seem expensive, it is a true accounting of all the costs incurred including carb, ignition, and headers. Most "budget" magazine stories from our competitors rarely include these numbers. The critical point that should be emphasized is that investing a few more dollars for good oversize pistons would have created a very solid motor that would make a ton more power and could be counted on to survive for years. The durability of this "shortcut" engine is debatable, at best, and its lack of compression also will make it a fuel guzzler.

SOURCES
Comp Cams 3406 Democrat Road Memphis TN 38118 800-999-0853 www.compcams.com	Federal-Mogul Corporation 26555 Northwestern Hwy. Southfield MI 48033 248-354-7700 www.federal-mogul.com
Summit Racing Equipment PO Box 909 Akron OH 44398 800-230-3030 330-630-0240 www.summitracing.com	Edelbrock 2700 California St. Torrance CA 90503 310-781-2222 www.edelbrock.com
Barrington Engines Van Nuys CA 818-442-9409	Holley Performance Products 1801 Russellville Rd P.O. Box 10360 Bowling Green KY 42102 270-782-2900 www.holley.com
Scoggin-Dickey Parts Center 5901 Spur 327 Lubbock TX 79424 800-456-0211 www.sdparts.com	GM Performance Parts P.O. Box 33170 Detroit MI 48232 800-577-6888 www.gmperformanceparts.com

By Jeff Smith

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68post
12/28/2012 at 6:56 AM I agree with phill30. How about flattops for compression and E85, exhaust porting and a small single pattern cam ? After proper machine work.

500 ft lbs and 500 hp should be easy. This was an exersize in what NOT to do !

Bigugly_1.
8/24/2011 at 2:31 PM JR Motorsports has a 400 assembly like this for about the same money with a warranty!
http://www.jrmotorsports.com/subCategory.cfm?subCat=803&cat=60

phill30.
7/23/2011 at 7:50 PM I really looked forward to this article but was disappionted with the results. I would like to see this project done again, but this time build the engine right without so many compromises, ie. deck height, bore wear. Then compare it to an identically equiped 383 to show everyone what they could have instead. I beleive the 400 market would heat up.

How To Build A 400ci SBC Torque Monster For $2,500!- Hands On

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