Posted By: Mirada440
Best cam to use in a 400 ??? Budget Build - 11/10/09 01:16 AM
I know this has probably been asked many times on here before but i think im going to ditch the small block idea and go with a big block so was wondering..what is the best cam to use in a budget build stock 400 ?? Looking for the best bang for the buck thinking a 400 with a Dual Plane intake 750 holley DP headers and a cam...Hoping to put a 4,000 pound car into the 14s...Any tips or engine combos would be great
Posted By: PowerWagonDude
Re: Best cam to use in a 400 ??? Budget Build - 11/10/09 02:20 AM
I have used Summit Racing cam SUM-6401...224/234@.050 w/.465/.488 lift but it has very little low end torque but pulls great on the topend. I used and old 383 Torker with it on a stock low compression 400 from a Cordoba. I even used the stock valve springs. No coil bind. You will need low rear gears and a high stall converter
Posted By: forphorty
Re: Best cam to use in a 400 ??? Budget Build - 11/10/09 02:53 AM
I have a Comp XE268 (268/280, 477/480, 224/230 at .050, 110 LSA)in my 400. 73 RR. I have the 175k MP converter behind it. Flashes to about 2800. You could use a stock converter with it but i wouldnt recommend it. Its a little soft on the bottom. Has a little bit of a lope and pulls pretty good to 5800.
Posted By: therocks
Re: Best cam to use in a 400 ??? Budget Build - 11/10/09 03:26 AM
I agree for a budget build the Summit cams cant be beat.Rocky
Posted By: Paul_Fancsali
Re: Best cam to use in a 400 ??? Budget Build - 11/10/09 06:35 PM
Comp 268 single pattern will go right in the 14s with ease. just get the right curve on the dist and that baby will haul
My 7.5 comp 360 73 Sat just ran a string of mid 14s Saturday with a 4,350 racing weight and 3.91s
Posted By: patrick
Re: Best cam to use in a 400 ??? Budget Build - 11/10/09 08:27 PM
14's in a 4000 lb car can be done with a rerung 360, 4bbl, headers, comp XE262 and 3.55's. BTDT
if you're not planning on swapping pistons out of the 400, I'd probably look at a voodoo 60302 or a comp XE262.
Posted By: 440newport
Re: Best cam to use in a 400 ??? Budget Build - 11/11/09 12:15 AM
I just rebuilt a stock compression 400 with a voodoo 60302 and their matched springs. The heads were shaved .030 but I don't think that'll bump the CR much... I don't have in the car yet, but I think it'll be a decent runner when I do for what it is.
Posted By: patrick
Re: Best cam to use in a 400 ??? Budget Build - 11/11/09 02:33 AM
mine was a rerung dished piston '79 with a little home porting by me on the heads, RPM air gap, eddie 1406, comp XE262, comp 901 springs, cheapie headers, low gear 904 (later A500) MP 166K lockup converter, 3.55's in a B body 8.75, 27" tires in my 5th ave, that is 3950 without me. it was conservatively a low-mid 14 second ride. would keep up with a bone stock 5.7L 300C.
I sold the motor and replaced it with a roller cammed, mag headed 318, lost a little low end, but no top end. the lost low end could be switching back to the stock 1200 stall converter after finding a crack in the hub of my 166K (which stalled ~2300-2400 behind the 360)
I'd use the small block, it'll be much easier, don't have to mess with the radiator or tranny.
Posted By: gch
Re: Best cam to use in a 400 ??? Budget Build - 11/11/09 06:58 PM
With the 3.55's I would run the XE 262 or similar.You need torque to move the barge.You could step up to the 268 with 3.91's and be ok also.
I would swap the DP for a 750 vacuum secondary with a quick change secondary kit to tune the secodaries by stiffer/lighter spring.
The 400 will outperform the 360 but you will swap a lot of stuff to get it there.
Consider a spreadbore carb if mileage is a concern.
The snappiest combo would be with the 262 cam and 3.91 gears.Would'nt need a stall and would pull to 5200(ish)rpm with ease.