I have a 74 nova with a inline 250. don't know which way ot go 350 small block,keep the six and try to get more hp out of it , or a 400 small block i came across with a 350 turbo ? talk to me

up to you. The six can definitely be perked up but the money to make it run with a V8 will definitely be more. The 400 s.b. is a nice deal as it fits exactly like a 350 but makes more torque built equally.

Jody

Yup' I'd have to agree a nice SBC 400 with 350 decals is a definte plus. The 250 was never intended to make power, with a very limiting cast in place log style manifold on both the intake and exhaust. Great for cruising with a closed hood, as mileage will be much better than any V-8, but it just won't give that deep dual exhaust rumble with a rumpitty-rump cam.


Big Dave

If you have a 400sb use it. They are great. Lots of low end torque for a good seat of the pants feel.

I had a 70 Nova with a stock rebuilt 250. It had a Vega Saginaw 4 speed and 3.36 rear gears, not power options. I put a turbocharger on it blowing through a Ford (gag) two barrel carb adapted to the stock intake. The exhaust manifold was stock with a modified J bent to a turbo mounted just outboard and below the carb. Tubing connected the turbo to the carb hat.
The car got 26+mpg daily driving-I drove it as primary transportation and ran 7.90's at the local drag strip in summer heat, street tires with NO changes from daily driver.
Many v-8 guys HATED me!!!!
Much more power was obtainable, but I had no time or budget.
The 400 is great and one of my favorite combos in this car, but the six can be a lot of fun and you can do it for less money than going to the 400.
Man, I used to love to sit at a light and have someone pull up with a cam and loud exhaust, look at my Nove with single exhaust sounding like a worn out school bus and smoke him!!!!!!!!!!:hurray: :yes:

I would go with the 350 with a T.H. 350 trans the parts out there are staggering for this combo. I always prefered the 350 over the 400. I think a 350 bored .030 over is one of most reliable engines out there . 355 C.I.all the way. Thats just me though.Its all in how big you want to go. 4 bolt mains are a plus too if you want a good beefy bottom end.

The 400 built with 5.7 or, better, 6 inch rods, bored and honed WITH A DECK PLATE, and built properly just like a 350, they are a very long lasting and strong running engine.
As for the four bolt main block, the two bolt block is actually stronger than the four bolt in the 400. The block to get is the two bolt main, 3 freeze plug block. Look for three freeze plugs as opposed to two on the sides of the block.
Either one built for less than about 500 hp on the street will live a very long time.
Be sure to have the steam hole in the heads AND the head gaskets as some performance head gaskets do not have the steam holes. This can be a problem on the street promoting spark knock and detonation.
The cost is comparable to that of the 350 and will KILL the 350 for performance.
I also strongly recommend the 350 5.7" or, better, 6" rods. The 350 rods are still cheap and relatively easy to get.
If you want a stronger bottom end, use a two bolt main block and use studs for the mains or, better, have the block retrofitted with splayed bolt four bolt main caps-for the street, not necessary.:thumbsup: Remember, if you use the studs, you really need to line hone the block and the splayed main caps need a lot of machine work to install.
I still like the hot rod six:yes:

Poncho 455 :D Now we are talking seat of your pants torque, but you'll have to throw any idea of buget out the window!

Sorry guys just had to throw that out! :beers:

I currently have a 400SB in my 71 Nova. It has been very good to me, and has a lot of power when I need it. The best part of having the 400 is that you can make it a nice sleeper.

So-Cal Jack

take that 400 and build it into a 406. those are wicked engines that make relly good power. i saw one that was drag built in a 64 nova. those engines are the perfect setup if you biuld them right. make shure you reserch the proper build though. look up DAVID VIZARD.

Dave Vizard had 3 books on the small block Chevy. One on the heads and intakes, one on the blocks and rotating assembly, and one on the cam and valve train. They were published by Motorbooks International and were excellent!!