400 Bowtie into a 1995 Z28

[jamesbondwink]

I will soon be the new owner of a built 400 bowtie and I'd like to entertain the idea of stuffing it into my fourth gen. I realize that it will not be a plug-and-play sort of installation, but I would really rather be able to put this engine in the car I already own and have put much effort into. However, if the fitment headaches would likely prove to be too much, I may simply end up selling the car to replace it with something more compatible.

So, if I was to make an attempt to get this thing into my fourth gen, what sort of challenges should I anticipate? And for those of you who have actually done it, was it worth the effort?

Thanks,

Mark

[firebird_1995]

What kind of induction are you wanting to put on it? Carb, efi?

[popo8]

... And for those of you who have actually done it, was it worth the effort?

Thanks,

Mark


To answer the last question...people are going to need to know details on the new motor...and whats wrong with the current motor?


Co-Owner/Admin @ LTXtech.com

[zboy2012]

I've actually debated on doing this with my car but with a efi set up

[93M6Formula]

I would never put a 400 in an F-body. There is not enough airflow to cool those water heaters. Everytime i've seen a 400 in a 3rd gen, it's a real job to keep them cool mostly because of the siamesed cylinders. Plus they weren't THAT great of a motor. They worked good in a truck though.

[jamesbondwink]

What kind of induction are you wanting to put on it? Carb, efi?

It is currently carbureted... A Holley 950 double pump on an Edelbrock Victor E intake, so it's pretty tall. Kinda makes me think there'd be a lot of cutting to make enough space.

[jamesbondwink]

To answer the last question...people are going to need to know details on the new motor...and whats wrong with the current motor?


Co-Owner/Admin @ LTXtech.com


Ok, here are some details:

400 bowtie w/splayed caps
Howards Tracksmart 4340 crank
Lunati ProComp 6 inch rods
Diamond pistons
Lunati solid roller cam (#50140)
AFR 227 offset cylinder heads
Crane offset roller rockers
Edelbrock Victor E single plane intake
Holley 950cfm double pump carb
Moroso 7qt oil pan
Internally balanced

According to the builder, he was following a recipe for 600+ horsepower. It's got about 12 runs on it, and ran 10s in a 67 Corvette. It was mated to a Super T-10 four speed manual transmission.

Actually, nothing at all is wrong with the current engine, but this opportunity presented itself and, knowing the builder, I acted on it. Not impulsively, believe it or not, but now I am faced with the dilemma of either accepting the difficulty of squeezing it between fourth gen wheel wells, or just selling the car to search for something more compatible.

[thunderkyss]

The only reason I wouldn't do it is because you'd have to cut out parts of the cowl to fit a distributor..... at least so you can work on it if needed. I've never seen it done well.

With that in mind, if you can install a distributorless ignition, I'd go for it.

[jamesbondwink]

I've actually debated on doing this with my car but with a efi set up

My gut feeling is that getting anything in there other than an LTX or LSX would simply be a nightmare... :(

[jamesbondwink]

The only reason I wouldn't do it is because you'd have to cut out parts of the cowl to fit a distributor..... at least so you can work on it if needed. I've never seen it done well.

With that in mind, if you can install a distributorless ignition, I'd go for it.

Yeah, a lot of what I've seen has involved butchering of some form or another...

Is there a really good write up about this sort of retrofit that someone could just point me toward? I hate feeling like I'm beating a dead horse with this topic.

[popo8]

Ok, here are some details:

400 bowtie w/splayed caps
Howards Tracksmart 4340 crank
Lunati ProComp 6 inch rods
Diamond pistons
Lunati solid roller cam (#50140)
AFR 227 offset cylinder heads
Crane offset roller rockers
Edelbrock Victor E single plane intake
Holley 950cfm double pump carb
Moroso 7qt oil pan
Internally balanced

According to the builder, he was following a recipe for 600+ horsepower. It's got about 12 runs on it, and ran 10s in a 67 Corvette. It was mated to a Super T-10 four speed manual transmission.

Actually, nothing at all is wrong with the current engine, but this opportunity presented itself and, knowing the builder, I acted on it. Not impulsively, believe it or not, but now I am faced with the dilemma of either accepting the difficulty of squeezing it between fourth gen wheel wells, or just selling the car to search for something more compatible.

So its either get rid of the good running LTX power plant...or....get rid of the 4th gen with the LTX power plant....? lol... Hmmmmm?

Co-Owner/Admin @ LTXtech.com

[MeanTA]

I say keep the LT1 power plant.... If not sell and go with something else. No reason to chop at ltx car up.

[96lt1m6]

The Lt1 block has MORE than proven its ability!

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