Author Topic: Supercharger on a 400  (Read 2558 times)

Offline apollotwo

  • Newbie
  • Posts: 13
Supercharger on a 400
« on: September 29, 2006, 05:20:00 PM »
Just picked up a 400 sbc.  Its complete, carb to pan, but unsure on mileage.  After checking it out somewhat I've found its for sure a 400, 2 bolt, with 76cc smog heads.  Its out of a 77 Suburban according to p.o.  Its an orange motor.  I thought '76 was the last year for Chevy orange?  Would this motor have come factory with forged pistons?  How can I find this out?  Assuming the stock rotating assembly is fine,how durable is the stock bottom end to handle mild boost from a Weiand baby blower?   Although this 400 is listed as  " heavy duty ", its still got the smog heads which have low compression like eight and a half to one I believe.  My little Weiand and 750 Holley are begging to bolt onto this 400 and make some low buck power.  How realistic are my expectations with this set-up?


Offline 1976Scottsdale

  • Junior Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 760
Re: Supercharger on a 400
« Reply #1 on: September 29, 2006, 11:06:00 PM »
I owuld think it would have cast pistons, but I cannot be sure.  I would add new rings, bearings, gaskets, timing components etc. before boosting it.


Offline VileZambonie

  • Global Moderator
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 18979
Re: Supercharger on a 400
« Reply #2 on: September 30, 2006, 06:43:00 AM »
Well you don't want high compression with a blower. My motto is do it right the first time. Go through the whole engine. A rebuild kit from summit is cheap enough so start your tear down and know what you've got in there.

,                           ___ 
                         /  _ _ _\_
              ⌠ŻŻŻŻŻ'   [☼===☼]
              `()_);-;()_)--o--)_)

74 GMC, 75 K5, 84 GMC, 85 K20, 86 k20, 79 K10

Offline 1976Scottsdale

  • Junior Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 760
Re: Supercharger on a 400
« Reply #3 on: September 30, 2006, 08:01:00 AM »
Summit is good.  I have also used the kits from northernautoparts.com

They include everything, the cam, pistons, rings, bearings, gaskets, lfters, oil pump, freeze plugs, assembl lube, all of it.


Offline apollotwo

  • Newbie
  • Posts: 13
Re: Supercharger on a 400
« Reply #4 on: September 30, 2006, 09:15:00 AM »
Yes low compression is a must for this set-up.  After spending quite some time surfing the 'net I have not found anything to indicate if any of the 400s came stock with forged pistons.  


Offline roundedline

  • Administrator
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2228
Re: Supercharger on a 400
« Reply #5 on: October 02, 2006, 02:58:00 PM »
They had cast pistons.  I wouldn't mod it without going through it.  

Chris Lucas
www.73-87chevytrucks.com
www.captkaoscustoms.com
Project Su
Jimmy 2WD Project