[Joe-Touring]

Hey everyone, looking to get some opinions on part selection. I’ve been working for a couple years to get a 400 built, been a rough experience, haven’t had great luck with machine shops in my area. I had planned on a mild build with some #17 iron heads and an 068 cam. Got some quotes to fully rework the heads and that’s in the $2000 range. I also have a set of #061 heads that have had a valve job and bronze guide inserts installed, but they would still need about $1000 in machine work to get ready(and my comp ratio would be ~9.9:1) :/

For that money, I figure it’s worth it to step up to aluminum heads. My shortblock is already done, so I figure I’m stuck with my piston/rod combo:

Ross pistons 4.15” 8cc flat tops
Child’s and Albert rods press fit
Stock crank
67 block, zero decked

Anyway, KRE heads come In two chamber selections that I could use: 65 and 74. Unfortunately with my piston choice, 65cc puts me at ~11:1 and 74cc puts me at ~10:1 compression ratio. One a bit too high, one a bit too low. I ordered the 74cc heads last week.

Couple of head q’s:
Will the low CR be detrimental in any way?
Is it likely that I could run 87 octane?
Am I overthinking this? lol

This will be mostly a street car, would like to do some road course track days and some drag tnts.

[Gach]

KRE heads come In two chamber selections that I could use: 65 and 74. Unfortunately with my piston choice, 65cc puts me at ~11:1 and 74cc puts me at ~10:1 compression ratio. One a bit too high, one a bit too low.

The 74 cc will be alright with 10.1 as long as you pick the right cam.

[Joe-Touring]

As for the cam, I ordered a hydraulic roller from Butler. Made by Comp. Specs:
276/282 224/230@0.050 .553/.561 lift w/ 1.65 114 lobe sep
Planning on using Johnson hydraulic roller lifters.

Butler and Jeff Kauffman both said this was a good choice. Jeff guessed north of 450hp and 500 torques.

Willing to hear any suggestions on cam/lifter choice. I may end up temporarily running a Crower 60916 since billet cam cores are apparently very Not Available.

[ta man]

easily at 10.1 on pump gas.87 octane all day.11 to 1 on pump gas would have worked also..but would need 91 octane and a good cam selection

[Joe-Touring]

Thanks Gach. I’m sure I’ll be happy with it, but I would rather do whatever is necessary now than have to take it apart later.

Another question, is there anything I should upgrade driveline wise to handle the extra power? I was originally shooting for 350-375 hp since I have a 4 speed, factory 3r driveshaft and 245s for tires. I figure the driveshaft is probably the most pressing, i do have a loop however

[Gach]

The stock drive shaft should be OK. So I thought until I went to drag strip with my 64 GTO in third gear it let go, scared the chit out of me. Thank god I had a
Drive shaft loop. Car only ran 12.20’s at time. I mean it’s up to you I would put a chrome Molly driveshaft in. With a good yolks. But then again if that’s all you gonna do do is street cruising you might be all right.

[grivera]

Have you considered Edelbrock heads which come in 72cc?

[Gach]

You might like that Crower 60916 cam, I know yours is a 400 but Rich made 500 hp with his 461 with out box E-heads. You might very well be around 425-450 hp. The aluminum heads have so much better flow right out of the box over unported iron head. The best ported iron head on average flow 260 maybe a little more. The aluminum heads flow 270-280 out of the box. Rich also runs I perform a rpm intake and Q’jet.

[Joe-Touring]

Originally Posted by ta man

easily at 10.1 on pump gas.87 octane all day.11 to 1 on pump gas would have worked also..but would need 91 octane and a good cam selection

That'll be nice. Would like to do some road trips, not have to worry about gas/tune. As cool as it would be at 11:1, I havent done a whole lot of tuning myself. Would hate to kill my new engine.

[Joe-Touring]

Originally Posted by Gach

The stock drive shaft should be OK. So I thought until I went to drag strip with my 64 GTO in third gear it let go, scared the chit out of me. Thank god I had a
Drive shaft loop. Car only ran 12.20’s at time. I mean it’s up to you I would put a chrome Molly driveshaft in. With a good yolks. But then again if that’s all you gonna do do is street cruising you might be all right.

Was already looking at getting a new shaft. The consequences of a driveshaft letting go are pretty bad. I was pricing it out at Dennys. Does anyone have any suggestions for a shaft shop?

[ta man]

Originally Posted by Joe-Touring

That'll be nice. Would like to do some road trips, not have to worry about gas/tune. As cool as it would be at 11:1, I havent done a whole lot of tuning myself. Would hate to kill my new engine.

Yes you will be fine..if you intend to ever go to a dragstrip I'd suggest a CM driveshaft with 1350 joints..and new input and diff yokes as Gach suggested. I thought I was fine then snapped a input yoke and cracked the trans case..and this was with an automatic.

[ta man]

lol you tree'd me...Strange sells very good driveshafts at a reasonable price.

[Joe-Touring]

Originally Posted by grivera

Have you considered Edelbrock heads which come in 72cc?

Ive thought about it. Butler has free shipping on em. Edelbrock is cool and a good company, but I'd rather give some Pontiac guys the cash. I have already ordered the heads, they're 8-12 weeks out. I should be able to call em and change to 65cc chambers at this point.

[Joe-Touring]

Originally Posted by Gach

You might like that Crower 60916 cam, I know yours is a 400 but Rich made 500 hp with his 461 with out box E-heads. You might very well be around 425-450 hp. The aluminum heads have so much better flow right out of the box over unported iron head. The best ported iron head on average flow 260 maybe a little more. The aluminum heads flow 270-280 out of the box. Rich also runs I perform a rpm intake and Q’jet.

Ive heard good things. Seems like some big name guys like it. Low 400 horse will still by far be the most stout engine Ive owned. Would lean more toward the original spirit I had in mind for this build. Im gonna run some HS 1.65 rockers, so decent lift. What lift do KRE D ports peak at? .550"? Im planning on running a Holley street dominator intake. I have a Performer on my 326, heard that would choke the 400. I also have a 71 Qjet manifold I could use, but Im trying to keep the front end as light as possible.

[Joe-Touring]

Originally Posted by ta man

lol you tree'd me...Strange sells very good driveshafts at a reasonable price.

Thanks, Ill check em out. I like Strange, I have a set of their axle shafts in my 12 bolt, felt nice.

[ta man]

Originally Posted by Joe-Touring

Ive thought about it. Butler has free shipping on em. Edelbrock is cool and a good company, but I'd rather give some Pontiac guys the cash. I have already ordered the heads, they're 8-12 weeks out. I should be able to call em and change to 65cc chambers at this point.

For your needs the 74's will get the job done.

[b-man]

Don’t be going to a 65cc head with the moderate cam timing you’re using, stick with the 74cc version.

[Gach]

I’d go with Holley street dominator intake. if you stick with 400 build. No the 550 lift will be fine for KRE d-ports perfect..the iron Ram Air 1V heads with Ram I’V cam had 520 lift. They only flow like 220 cfm unported