two ways to make a 396 SBC (day dreaming again)

5889 Views 23 Replies 8 Participants Last post by Motorhead62, Jun 14, 2006

69NovaSS

Discussion Starter · Jun 2, 2006

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

1 - 20 of 24 Posts

novaboy009

· #2 · Jun 2, 2006

Re: two ways to make a 396 SBC (day dreaming again)

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

69NovaSS

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jun 2, 2006

Re: two ways to make a 396 SBC (day dreaming again)

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

DriveWFO

· #4 · Jun 2, 2006

Re: two ways to make a 396 SBC (day dreaming again)

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.

69NovaSS

Discussion Starter · #5 · Jun 2, 2006

Re: two ways to make a 396 SBC (day dreaming again)

DriveWFO said:
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:

DriveWFO

· #6 · Jun 2, 2006

Re: two ways to make a 396 SBC (day dreaming again)

69NovaSS said:
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!

69NovaSS

Discussion Starter · #7 · Jun 2, 2006

Re: two ways to make a 396 SBC (day dreaming again)

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

well that works...until they find out

...then all hell breaks loose...naw secrets aren't a good thing in a relationship....makes my life too short

DriveWFO

· #8 · Jun 2, 2006

Re: two ways to make a 396 SBC (day dreaming again)

69NovaSS said:
well that works...until they find out...then all hell breaks loose...naw secrets aren't a good thing in a relationship....makes my life too short

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**

novaboy009

· #9 · Jun 2, 2006

Re: two ways to make a 396 SBC (day dreaming again)

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.

69NovaSS

Discussion Starter · #10 · Jun 2, 2006

Re: two ways to make a 396 SBC (day dreaming again)

DriveWFO said:
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

G

· #11 · Jun 2, 2006

Re: two ways to make a 396 SBC (day dreaming again)

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 !!!

69NovaSS

Discussion Starter · #12 · Jun 2, 2006 (Edited)

Re: two ways to make a 396 SBC (day dreaming again)

SHIFTY4 said:
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

like any of the big cube small blocks would require

G

· #13 · Jun 2, 2006

Re: two ways to make a 396 SBC (day dreaming again)

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

69NovaSS

Discussion Starter · #14 · Jun 2, 2006

Re: two ways to make a 396 SBC (day dreaming again)

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..

G

· #15 · Jun 2, 2006

Re: two ways to make a 396 SBC (day dreaming 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 !!!

69NovaSS

Discussion Starter · #16 · Jun 2, 2006

Re: two ways to make a 396 SBC (day dreaming again)

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?

G

· #17 · Jun 2, 2006

Re: two ways to make a 396 SBC (day dreaming again)

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...

SS 396

· #18 · Jun 2, 2006

Re: two ways to make a 396 SBC (day dreaming again)

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

G

· #19 · Jun 2, 2006

Re: two ways to make a 396 SBC (day dreaming again)

spell check... wasthat ???

69NovaSS

Discussion Starter · #20 · Jun 2, 2006

Re: two ways to make a 396 SBC (day dreaming again)

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

1 - 20 of 24 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.