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This site is completely free and there are no costs. Please enjoy and provide feedback.My 400 SBC VORTECPRO Build
- Thread starter cage2592
- Start date
cage2592
Administrator
I had wanted to take it to the track this past summer but didn't get to it. I want to just see what it would run on a prepped track. I have a feeling what it runs on the street with a Dragy, but that's obviously limited traction and feathering the pedal in the 60ft. I shift to 2nd at 6000 and stay in 2nd due to the 3.00 rear gear and hold out. My 70 is full A/C, and I selected the 3.00 purely to drive HWY long distance on a TH350.
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Very nice build. Thanks for sharing.
I’ve done the big block thing lots of times. I’ve got newer cars with LS power and am impressed. I want a fusion of old and new. My current project is a 1970 LT-1 inspired 350, that I want to use EFI with electronically controlled distributor. I want to see how civil I can make wild. I’m sick of chokes and stinky exhaust.
I’ve done the big block thing lots of times. I’ve got newer cars with LS power and am impressed. I want a fusion of old and new. My current project is a 1970 LT-1 inspired 350, that I want to use EFI with electronically controlled distributor. I want to see how civil I can make wild. I’m sick of chokes and stinky exhaust.
Just saw this thread, great info and follow ups. Always wondered what MJ could do with a good 400 street torque engine and here it is. Your build is almost identicle to mine, also a 406. I authored a build thread on it on TC a few years back. Mine is a .30 over 817 block, zero decked 10.25 cr., AFR 190s (old heads), RPM intake, 750 VS, and the same cam specs off memory...full roller. This in my 66 chevelle with T56, 2.66 first, and 4.10 rear. This car pulls hard and has a broad torque curve. I run the old MT Indy profiles with ladder bars that I custom built. It hooks up very well and just moves the car. Always thought it was a mid to low 12 second car based on a former 11.50 car I sold off. Your dyno sheet is impressive, and helps me to put a guesstimate on my junk. The main difference in our builds is the MJ touches on the head work. Mine are relatively untouched. No plans here to run it on the strip because I just don't want to add the safety loop and it has no scatter shield. May change my mind on that someday??
One issue I've got is gasket seaping out of virtually every location. It runs approx 15 inches and I bought the wagner pcv, just never installed it. I even get a little film around the head gaskets, never seen this on any of my builds.
One issue I've got is gasket seaping out of virtually every location. It runs approx 15 inches and I bought the wagner pcv, just never installed it. I even get a little film around the head gaskets, never seen this on any of my builds.
cage2592
Administrator
Yes very close ! And our first gear is close with mine a 2.52. You may have read that I'm on 305/35/20 Pirelli PZeros, and although they have great traction, I still have a 3.00 rear gear for the HWY. Not as accurate as a track run, but the Dragy says 11.73 and most Dragys I see are pretty accurate but I know its not the same. Its also faster than most think a 52yr old car is on the HWY.
On the WAGNER PCV, I had one on mine. Currently have one on the wifes 68 Camaro (355) and my 75 Truck (454) and they work great. On this engine, not so much. In the first month I ran this engine with one, we were still getting a lot of pressure build up in the engine. My thought was that the engine was creating to much pressure for a PCV, even the Wagner to overcome. I have extremely healthy oil pressure. and I would get oil out the driver side breather and my oil dipstick would pushout. If you look at the pictures, I have a breather on the driver side. I bought another one and installed it in the passenger side as well. This stopped my oil coming out the breather and pushing out my dipstick. It seems to like as mush pressure relief it can get.
On the WAGNER PCV, I had one on mine. Currently have one on the wifes 68 Camaro (355) and my 75 Truck (454) and they work great. On this engine, not so much. In the first month I ran this engine with one, we were still getting a lot of pressure build up in the engine. My thought was that the engine was creating to much pressure for a PCV, even the Wagner to overcome. I have extremely healthy oil pressure. and I would get oil out the driver side breather and my oil dipstick would pushout. If you look at the pictures, I have a breather on the driver side. I bought another one and installed it in the passenger side as well. This stopped my oil coming out the breather and pushing out my dipstick. It seems to like as mush pressure relief it can get.
Are your AFR's pre CNC days? I have a set of AFR 190 CNC I bought about 03, I had them on a 385.
Not sure, but I'd bet they are. Got them in a storage buy-out. I am interested in my specs, so I'll pull the file later this evening. I am running a high volume pump and it reaches over 60 on startup under 2k and can reach 75-80 wound up.
cage2592
Administrator
cheveslakr, I had originally discussed trying to reach 600hp with this engine but decided against it due to wanting a street Engine that idled low, ran power brakes, and could take A/C. I didn't want to run a vac. pump or hydro-boost. Though having driven 600+HP/TQ cars, I knew it would have tons of fun tire burning factor but I wanted something at the edge of street grip. And I'm there. I'm sure we've all seen small HP cars beat out high HP cars on the street due to traction. Though cool as it looks and sounds, my father always said "...all show and no go", or "spinning's losing".
My pressure is the same with about 75 on startup, 60-65 cruise, and 50 sitting idle at 850rpm at 180 temp (standard for this engine).
I think the other factor for Mark (VORTECPRO) is that he likes to do new or unconventional builds. He knows he can get HP/TQ . But shooting for a "do all" engine with HP/TQ is more fun and challenging. Knowing what I know now and see the amazing TQ numbers. I would have liked to see what one more size larger cam and 10.6 CR would do. Im sure I would have to go Hydro-boost at that point. at a min would have been a vac. canister.
After Mark gets settled in to his new home, I want to send him my 454 in the 75 4door dually 4wd and tell him "all TQ ! Lets see what you can get" !
My pressure is the same with about 75 on startup, 60-65 cruise, and 50 sitting idle at 850rpm at 180 temp (standard for this engine).
I think the other factor for Mark (VORTECPRO) is that he likes to do new or unconventional builds. He knows he can get HP/TQ . But shooting for a "do all" engine with HP/TQ is more fun and challenging. Knowing what I know now and see the amazing TQ numbers. I would have liked to see what one more size larger cam and 10.6 CR would do. Im sure I would have to go Hydro-boost at that point. at a min would have been a vac. canister.
After Mark gets settled in to his new home, I want to send him my 454 in the 75 4door dually 4wd and tell him "all TQ ! Lets see what you can get" !
Where did Mark move to? I spoke to him a few years ago about a 496 for a '69 Chevelle COPO clone that I built.
Good for him. Never talked with Mark, but I have an itch to use his services in the future. Little farther to drive, but oh well.
Thanks. That’s awesome. I’ve got Martin Brothers 20 miles to the west, Jessie James 10 miles to the northeast and now Mark Jones 50 miles to the northwest of me. I have to go visit.
I worked in Charlotte NC for a month when hurricane Andrew hit Fl., very nice there too