There was a thread once on the "other" Nova site about making a 401cid SBC out of a 350 block. Well what really caught my eye about that thread was that you could also make a 396 out of a 350 block and not have to have such an extreme overbore. Anyway that has always interested me. So below I am going to list two builds ups for a 396 SBC (1 a 350 and the other a 400 block) I would like to hear the pros and cons of the various approches to getting the same cubes.

350 build
Piston Diameter = 4.030 Inches(.030" overbore)
Engine Stroke = 3.875 Inches
Computed Engine Displacement (CID) is 395

400 build
Piston Diameter = 4.165 Inches (.040" overbore)
Engine Stroke = 3.625 Inches
Computed Engine Displacement (CID) is 395

All the parts are avalable so nothing is special order. Both motors end up with 396 cubes(well 395 actually but close enough IMO) but get there very differently.....So....whats the pros or cons of these two builds....Also what if any advantages would these builds have over the more typical 383 build up?

thanks in advance guys;)

If you have a 400 block, don't go backwards and de-cube it. The idea is to get more cubes in a street motor (or race motor, for that matter), not less.

The 350 block is easier to find and will get you a pretty big engine with that long stroke. You're gonna have some clearance issues with pan rails, cam, rod bolts, etc. Just like a 383, but a little worse. If you're gonna make a big block sized small block, the 350 based one makes more sense to me.

Kev

well I dont have the 400 block as I said this is just me dreaming again...ya the 400 with the 3.875" crank and .060" over will give ya (ball park) 427 cubes...which would be cool too...I think it would be a hoot to put the 396 or 427 side marker lights on the car and when you pop the hood its a SBC of that displacement...just a little different...but with that said of all the options the 350 based one would be the cheapest to make for me as I have the block all ready...and Shhhhhh...dont bad mouth destroking a 400 too loud there are a few members here that LOVE their 377's;)

FWIW, I'm seriously considering a Dart block for my next shortblock. With all that clearancing, an aftermarket block may be a safer way to go for keeping it together.

FWIW, I'm seriously considering a Dart block for my next shortblock. With all that clearancing, an aftermarket block may be a safer way to go for keeping it together.

well as some have said(PW) by the time you get the factory block "right" you really might not have spent anymore money just buying the aftermarket block in the first place....BUT for me its easier to spend the money a little at a time then all at once...my wife would crap if I spent 1800+ bucks or so on a bare block.:ekk:

my wife would crap if I spent 1800+ bucks or so one a bare block.:ekk:

Well that's exactly why you wouldn't tell her!

Well that's exactly why you wouldn't tell her!

well that works...until they find out:eek:...then all hell breaks loose...naw secrets aren't a good thing in a relationship....makes my life too short:D

well that works...until they find out:eek:...then all hell breaks loose...naw secrets aren't a good thing in a relationship....makes my life too short:D
Maybe so, but if you add up all the $$$ they spend on shoes and clothes, I think it will be YOU that will goes ape sh** :)

Keep in mind that you still need to final bore/hone the M blocks. Even with the aftermarket block your not going to escape machine work....

Kev (Can barely afford a Blue Light Special shortblock lol)

PS Dave, this motor better be baadddddd.

Maybe so, but if you add up all the $$$ they spend on shoes and clothes, I think it will be YOU that will goes ape sh** :)

oh I have no doupt she spends just as much buying shoes she doesnt need and crap like that but well you know what i mean...they view it as different cause its them doing it...lol...oh well you cant live with them and you cant kill them......besides the alternative really sucks :eek: :D ;)

i think that regardless of the direction ya go... go. i've 3 different engines in my shop and that gets expensive... even doing it "little at a time" it still adds up... so whatever ya decide ta do... DO



ONCE !!!

i think that regardless of the direction ya go... go. i've 3 different engines in my shop and that gets expensive... even doing it "little at a time" it still adds up... so whatever ya decide ta do... DO



ONCE !!!

John, that is some of the best, if not the best, advice i have ever heard on any Nova site....

I suspect in the end I will stick with my 355 but its nice to dream...its just hard to justify spending 5+bills on a crank:eek: like any of the big cube small blocks would require

i think that if yer heart really desires the 396 regardless of combo... do it. don't go through the "what if" gig... screw that... how many times must we "settle" ??? screw it... if ya wanna 396... DO IT and quit pussyfooting around ;)

well we will see John. I know what your saying and I agree I'm just not totally convinced that have a 396 SBC in the car will make me tons happier than only having a 355 SBC in the car...it will be a blast just to drive it again..

i just know what i think about my own project... we've talked enough, you and i that i think ya know what's up with me... i want what i want... just like the next guy... regardless of what ya do... do what YOU want. even if it makes NO sense... do what will make you happy... heck, thow a 194 in that pig and drive it if it means nothing... but it DOES mean something or ya WOULDN'T be dreaming... so who's ta say ya can't have that dream ???


screw everyone that is a naysayer and do what YOU wanna do... heck if ya wanna 396... GET R DONE !!! i'm backin' ya up... do what ya want !!! ;)

I guess in the end the the outcome will depend on the success of the applications/resumes I am sending out between these posts...Hopefully some good luck in the job department will bring a 396 SBC my direction...cause really I think that would be a cool motor to have...

Soooo if you, my friend, were to build one...which way would you go...the stroked 350 block or the destroked 400 block?:)

i'd build a 377... and i still hope too ;)


but what i want is for a different situation than you... we're all different with different needs and desires... ya gotsta satisfy yer own desires... no one can do it for ya...

I would rather have a 434 SB.Where's Paul,I need to Mic some Hole's.
Does this Board have Spell Check?
Joe

spell check... wasthat ??? :rolleyes:

your right Joe, cubes is king...BUT since it will never be an all out race car making that last ounce of HP really doesnt matter to me...So if i was going to go to the effort of a really big cube small block(based on a 400 block) it would be a 427....I kinda like the sound of that displacement;)

The more Cubes the more money, The more cubes you have the more HP and torque you can build, and HP gets more expensive as you start to exceed the cubic inches of the engine. It is all a catch 22. I'm considering once I get the body done I'll drop a cheap yard 305 in it and then start to build a power house engine while I get to enjoy driving the car around. Then it is a simple winter project to change the engine out.

As for which way I would go with building a SBC 396? It would depend on the price I could get a 400 block for? If I could get it cheap enough I would just rebuild it straight up and put the 396 emblems on. Lets face it the BBC 402 and the BBC 396 are made out of the same casting. Do you think the people who rebuild a 396 with a 30 over bore change their emblems to 402 emblems? I don't think so and probably the majority of the 396's still out there and running have been rebuilt and are probably 30 over. Thus they are a 402. I prefer the idea of stroking out a 454 to a 496 and them putting the 396 emblems on the car. That way they are fooled and under estimate ya!

If I were to build a small block 396, I think it would depend what I would use it for on wich block I would start out with. If I was just going to race it, I would go with the bigger bore. You would be able to use bigger valves and have a little better flow, maybe more RPM and horsepower. Street use I think I would use the 350 block with smaller heads and valves and more streetable cam etc.

I understand the THING about building that engine you've always wanted:thumbsup: , someday I will have a 302 in my Nova. I know I can make more power with a 400, but it's just not the same. I already have my 292 angle plug heads for it. Some day.....;)


Ken

I would build the largest engine you could afford (without going crazy) and put the big money into the cylinder heads.

Go with a 383 350 or 407 400 and drop some AFR's on it...as Joe Sherman says...put the money into where it counts...cylinder heads.

Cubic inches is what counts for 90% of the populace-bore/stroke/rod ratios are for the pro stock guys.

Switching from my 041 castings to AFR 210's made all the diff in the world on my 400 SBC.

Tim

The best bang for the buck is building a 383, hands down. :thumbsup:

With the money you save, invest it in a full roller valve train and good aluminum heads. You will have lots of HP and will be very happy! :D