Will a Chevy 400 be able to replace a 350?

[ljsilvers]

Will a Chevy 400 short or long block be able to replace a 350? I used search several times and didn't see an answer. I want to keep all my stock 1993 k1500 under hood and front drivetrain and suspension. Arent the dipstick and/or the oil filter reversed on the 400 from the 350, 305? I know about the steam holes done that work in the past when I was young and had money to blow. Looking for cheap Tq gains and some extra Hp won't be bad either.

 

[SCOTTYINWV]

You are better off with a descent cam and a set of vortec heads (technically still stock gm parts) with an aftermarket intake and a modded throttle body. That's going to be your best bang for buck work under the hood.

I was never a big 400 fan to begin with.

 

[poncho62]

Or build a 383 from your 350

 

[ljsilvers]

Thanks. I was planing on all that you said but on a 400(to save cash) over a 383 kit. But lower mileage 400 seem to hard to find and not as cheap as I remember.

 

[df2x4]

I was never a big 400 fan to begin with.

Ever drive a 60's-70's GM A-body car with one? I can tell you it's pretty fun, torque monster.

EDIT - To clarify, the 400 small block. Never had any personal experience with the 402 big block.

Thanks. I was planing on all that you said but on a 400(to save cash) over a 383 kit. But lower mileage 400 seem to hard to find and not as cheap as I remember.

Seconding this, a lot of the 400 stuff I've seen is way pricier/harder to find than 350 parts. Pretty sure they were made for a much shorter time than the 350s.

 

[thunderstruck]

Thanks. I was planing on all that you said but on a 400(to save cash) over a 383 kit. But lower mileage 400 seem to hard to find and not as cheap as I remember.

Yeah, when I read your first post, I assumed you had a 400 ready to go. If that's not the case, it's not going to be worth it IMO. Not these days.

Maybe look into building a 383 or swapping in an LS.


Sent from my Nintendo 64

 

[twomanymontes]

Also need to remember, a small block 400 is a internally balanced motor and the 350 is externally. Meaning you will need to find a new flywheel. Plus the heads won't be interchangeable. 400 head's need steam holes drilled in them to match the block. Otherwise it will overheat.

 

[ljsilvers]

Yup the steam holes, was going to have done with the head work. But I'm too cheap to spend what they want for a bare rebuildable long block. 25 years ago a low mileage 400 was less than a rebuildable 305 core. Still wondering about if GM swithed sides for the dipstick. Years ago my friend did this swap in a 1980's caprice and when it was all done there was no place for the dipstick. But I don't remember why???

 

[77Impala]

My 305 dip stick is on the drivers side. My 350 dipstick is on the passenger side. Both oil filters are on the drivers side. I have no experience with the 400's.

 

[DRAGGIN95]

Cough cough, LS all the way!