The more I look at the Pontiac 400 options, the more I'm leaning toward one. They can handle more power than a Chevy 400 and can be bored and stroked bigger. But there's also the advantage of not being as big as a big block. Plus it's be a very unique swap.
The downside is you have maybe 1/10 of the aftermarket with a B/O/P/C engine, and due to that, the speed parts will cost more.
In reply to Kenny_McCormic: that's a solid point. I'll probably end up doing a Chevy 406. There's another project I've wanted to do since I was a little kid that Id like to get on before all of them disappear
Keep an eye out for old 3/4 ton pickups and suburbans, they are known to come with a 400.
yeah check late 70's rotbox 3/4 ton stuff. i picked up a rotten 3/4 4x4 78 burb for $200 for some trim and interior stuff. sold the 400 shortblock for $450.
In reply to Bonespec:
I was about to mention the crank journal difference.
400sbc block + 350sbc crank = 377 destroker. I helped build one of those with scraps from a 383 build(that failed after 3 nights at the dragstrip), the 377 has been together for around a decade now with no real issues.
Well I planned on using an aftermarket block anyway. But looking at blocks I can build a 598 for the same as a 406 using aftermarket parts. And ive seen nothing but good results from the 598 that my best friends dad has. Just a thought.
Now you're thinkin'.
Pulled a 396 out for a 540 last year in a Chevelle. Much much nicer driving car now :)
I'm thinking 598 with a glide. Streetability won't be spectacular, but it'll work. Because we all really know I don't want a street car, I want a race car I can throw license plates on and refer to as a "street car"
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