You’ve got questions, we’ve got answers. We work with the Summit Racing tech department to help you tackle your auto-related conundrums. In this week’s Mailbag, we’re recommending a parts combo to get 400+ horsepower from a Pontiac 400 engine.
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Q: I want to build a Pontiac 400 engine. What parts would I need to build a sweet-running engine that makes around 400 horsepower? (Money is no issue!)
A: We think the Edelbrock Performer RPM package would be ideal for you. Here are the parts you’ll need:
- Edelbrock Performer intake manifold
- Edelbrock Performer cam and lifter set
- Edelbrock Performer aluminum cylinder heads
- Edelbrock Performer head bolt kit
- Edelbrock Performer 750 cfm carburetor
The Edelbrock cylinder heads have Ram Air exhaust IV ports—so you should use this set of Hedman headers. Keep your compression ratio at about 9.5:1.
According to Edelbrock, this combo will yield 422 horsepower and 441 foot-pounds of torque on pump gas.
You mid-read the catalog!!! There’s no way the Performer cam will get anywhere near 400 hp. Barely mid 300’s is more likely.
The Performer intake must be run with a 1” spacer to out perform a pre 1972 factory iron intake! The Performer RPM would be the recommendation.
I realize the tech guys try to sell certain products but outside the heads and intake Edelbrock leaves a lot on the table with their generic cams and carburetors.
Dyno proven 405-419 hp @5400 rpm 470 TQ @4100 rpm.
400 9.50-9.70-1 Compression (Iron D-port heads)
Crower #60916 Cam w/1.65 rockers
Edelbrock RPM intake
Holley 750 carb jetted 74/84
This combo idles strong at 900 rpm and pulls 15# of vacuum. Shifts around 5500-5700
Add in a set of Edelbrock heads your well over 405-419 hp and can pull 6000 rpm.
Jeff Dubray – Do you have direct links to these parts by chance? I would like to look into this build set-up you have listed! Thanks.
Hey Jeremy, let me try my best to get you a more precise parts list. Though the details weren’t 100% clear on Jeff’s exact setup, these links may get you a little closer. We recommend giving the Summit Racing folks a call for precise technical recommendations: 1-800-230-3030
You can click these links for more info.
Crower Cam P/N 60916
Edelbrock Performer RPM Intake Manifold for Pontiac 400
Edelbrock Performer & Performer RPM Cylinder Heads for Pontiac 400
Holley 750 CFM Carburetors
1980 Firebird.. 71 ys 400 block, edelbrock Performer Rpm heads, edelbrock intake, crower cam, Holley EFI… What a runner!
Do you work for C & C?
Here is what we did with a ’69 GTO 400 that was an original W/T package (350 hp, manual transmission)..thoughts??
Original 400 block, +.030 bore
Performer RPM intake
Holley HP 750 cfm carb
Lunati 10510704 cam shaft
Lunati springs, locks retainers
Comp Cams roller tip 1.52 rocker arms
Original 48 heads reconditioned, milled .010, with Manley SS valves
Speed Pro L2262F-30 pistons
Also allow the height of the performer rpm vs the performer manifold. The original performer is at OEM height of 6″ and the performer rpm is 7.4″ tall
U can get a great set up from Butler performance dyno proven just saying lol upgrade rods and bolts 6500rpm 455 SD red line 7000
Hi Murray is my name im in Australia just finishing up a 400 .4.185 bore 4.210 stroke OHIO FORGED CRANK. SRP FORGED FLAT TOPS (5CC VALVE RELIEFS)SCAT H BEAM FORGED RODS ARP2000 BOLTS JEFF KAUFFMAN BALANCED AND SUPPLIED ROTATING ASSEMBLY EDLBROCK RPM PERFORMER HEADS AND INTAKE PORT MATCHED AND 310CFM RUNNERS HOWARD HYDRAULIC ROLLER CAM 550/575 LIFT 110 LSA JOHNSON HYDRAULIC ROLLER LIFTERS
SCORPION ENDURANCE SERIES ROLLER ROCKERS BEST OF EVERYTHING MSD PRO BILLET. 6AL DIGITAL .BLASTER COIL 9MM LEADS .1000HP ADJUSTABLE MECH FUEL PUMP 5/8FUEL LINE 850 HOLLEY DP HP ULTRA HP575/650TORQUE IN 69 FIREBIRD CONVERTIBLE
Hi Murray may i ask who did your machining/engine build ? Hard to find a decent pontiac guy in Sydney Thx Dave
i have a 68 firebird 400, 5spd Doug Nash transmission. Engine needs a refresh. I need advice on building a stout 400+ hp engine & looking to get great torque numbers. What parts combo would you recommend.
Put an edelbrock carb on that build maybe 250 hp. Put u an 850 #4781 850 prob 435 hp.but those edelbrock carbs do make GREAT door stops
Thats holley sorry!!!
Is it possible to achieve 425 horsepower ot of a 77 400 block? Its the 500577 block. It has the stock heads and crank. The mods included are- Holley 750. Edelbrock Torqer 2 Manifold. !:52 Scorpion Rocker Arms. A Stage 3 Low-lift cam from Compeition Cams. Hooker Headers.though I want to replace with new exhaust. Also want to replace the headers with Ram Ir exhaust manifolds and new Pypes exhaust. Anew Melling Oil pump. And 3:42 gears. I was thinking of a 3 Angle Valve Job. And an open hood scoop, A hood scoop kit. What’s everyone thinking?
ive drove those cars for years now and it’s ust cool, fun and cool to drive a ta w/400 in it,i have 1 left and thank the Lord im about to get it on the road .. they run great and i really like em,, idk what my hp in em have ever been,, the majority of em dont have a large amount horse but they’re cool all the same. hadda few though and dont know what had been done to em but they were great.. anyhow ive not answered your question lol im just commentin lol .. have a great one.
I have a yb 400 big car motor 1970
With# 11 heads,
How much would the 1970 #12 heads help?
Thinkin about that and
A 4 barel
Any help would meen alot.
Thank you.
I just saw your answer to a Jeremy Cook concerning upping the HP on his 68 Firebird 400 engine . I have a 77 Bonneville with only 53 K miles on it with the 180 hp 400 engine . Will your recommended 5 Edelbrock performance parts work on my engine . Same Stroke and bore but not the same compression and max rpm . ? I’m selling the car and someone may want it for that 400 engine .
I have 6.6 v8 403 what i need to make 400 hp
Oldsrocketparts.com talk to Jr. He specializes in top end kits for 403. A lot of people see well over 400 HP with his kits. Give him a call
Slightly older thread hoping to get updated and specific information…
69 GTO 400 Ram Air iii Needing a rebuild. Desire to get anywhere around 425-450hp with great low end torque for under 5k after machine shop cost.
-Must keep RA3 heads and Rochester Carb.
Please help and please be descriptive. I’ll appreciate and enjoy the read.
I have a 400 engine w 6x heads out of a 1977 Trans Am and the turbo 350 trans. that came with it.
I had the engine bored 30 over for TRW flat top forged pistons.
I had the block gone through and balanced.
Am putting an Erson HI Flo 1 hyd. cam 472Lift and 296Dur. with the cam kit for the heads.
Had the heads gone through by the shop as well.
High pressure oil pump, mechanical fuel pump.
Erson Roller 1.5 Rockers and erson pushrods.
The manifold I have for it is the edelbrock Torker 1
I have the Carter 750AFB carb.
Running HEI ignition w HO coil.
My questions are: 1. Is this a decent setup?
2. Will it work well for the street?
3. Do I need a stall converter, if so what size?
4. What suggestions do you have for me?
5. Or is this engine, being a 77 with the large heads and low HP, am I just wasting my time?