Small Block 350 vs 400

[Stewart G Griffin]

i realize the post is 4 yrs old, but for the original application and in my opinion, i would go with the bored 350 option:

a) boring out a 400---too risky in my opinion.

b) You can get decent, NEW, stroker cranks from Scat fairly cheap---to make a 383.

Now, there is another alternative, and that is to go with a NEW aftermarket 400block, either from Gm performance parts (bowtie block) or dart etc.   But this can get expensive--i think they start at  around $1500.

2) i'm still not happy about the way you parked on MY malibu 

@ Gusgusa, i like the 350 tbi choice better for a daily driver for the mpg over the 400.

[Irish_Alley]

im just going to throw this out here also. i got into a race tonight, my 2004 impala ss 3.8 s/c (240hp @5200 280tq @3200 CURB WEIGHT 3606 lbs) vs. a 1996 impala 5.7 (260hp @ 5000 330tq @ 2400 Curb weight: 4036 lbs) now the only reason i raced him was cause his tag said "THEBOSS". so after we smoked some imports we finally caught a light where it was just us two. i look over to him/her (idk he never looked my way) light turned green (in front of a state police station)

well i didnt want to make any noise and we took off, neck and neck till i hear a squeal. i had to back off didnt want to attract any cops that might have been around. then i floored it at this point i guess he never backed off and he pulled away. no biggie i lost to a chevy ;-)

now our weight/hp ratio is about the same 15lbs:1hp. but his tq 12lbs:1tq vs my 18lbs:1tq this is the reason he won. imo even if i would of kept on it he still would of kick my but cause his displacement compared to mine. and displacement is related to tq right? so now i need to sup up my impala lol

[rich weyand]

Hey, Irish, I think you got your rpms jumbled on the hp/torque numbers on your 3.8.

It's not just the difference in torque peak value, but his peak torque rpm is much lower too, so he's into his torque curve a lot sooner.

It's the cubes that give him the torque.

[Gusgusa1]

Thanks I think I wil go with the 350 tbi and put some work into it. Seems like the better option for me.

[Irish_Alley]

sure did rich thanks don know why i didnt catch it even when i reviewed it and added lol. and that is why i added the rpms. it wasnt all about the motor size or numbers. but more how it is built. if you look back at rich's post about building a engine he will always add its the tq not hp. if you build a motor with low tq you can take off like crazy you might lose the top end but you can haul stuff and not have a problem taking off

[rich weyand]

Yeah, one thing about building for torque and not top end is you may have to adjust your WOT shift points, but I should have a post on this coming up this week.  Still working the solution, but I anticipate having some interesting stuff to report later this week.