[Blackfoot]

I'm getting ready to order some new Edelbrock heads for my 400. I had the motor built last winter with 6X#8 heads and they did just what they're supposed to do. Run on Pump gas well. I want a little more performance and I've pretty much decided on the Edelbrocks. I'm not up for a cam change at this time and I'm running an 068 cam at the moment. I'm undecided on which CC size I should run on this engine. There's 87cc and 72cc. I'm also going to run roller rockers. Can I run 1.65's or should I stick with 1.50's? If I run the 1.65s will I have to have the pushrod holes elongated or do the Edelbrocks already come that way. I'm running stock rods and cast pistons so I'm limited on how big I can go. I'm having a new 12 Bolt Chevy rear being built and I'm going to have 3:42's installed. I can supply you with any additional info. I'll keep an eye on this thread this evening and the rest the week but I'd really like to get this order in before the end of the week. This is all going into my 67 LeMans. I'm hoping to have a street drivable car that can turn out some mid 14's with the aforementioned combo. Can I do it? Thanks for any feedback and advice in advance. I'm worried to death that a freind of mine is going to spank me with his 350 Camaro so I'm fighting back with my wallet. Help me spend my money wisely.

I've got a babys brain and an old mans heart,..............

[Fox]

Yeeshh even 3.73 sounds a bit much for a car driven on the hwy very often. I've always thought that 3.55 was about as much gear as I could take 3.23 being optimal. Course it also depends upon the diameter of the tire.

[SLOW 77]

You might want to try more timing at the track too, we where running 40 degrees with the 6X heads on a stock 78 400.

[Blackfoot]

Well guys, its looking like maybe I better get the new rear in before I jump on a new set of heads. Thats another thing I was wondering about was the headers. I'm not to worried about the price but God knows I'm in no hurry to unbolt the old ones and install the new ones. 4 speed Trans Am. You lucky dog. I'm running a T400 that was just rebuilt and installed with the new motor. Do you drive your Trans AM on the street much and how do the 3:73's work out for you? I'm gonna get on the hump on this rear end. I've got a Chevy 12 bolt with 4:10's in it but I think thats a little much for the street. I've got the next size carrier so I can drop in some 3:42's. The cars still got the original 10 bolt peglegger probably with 2:73's. My motor doesn't even know what a good flogging is yet!

I've got a babys brain and an old mans heart,..............

[Brian '74]

I still think you should keep the LeMans as is, and put the money into the Firebird.

I can see the LeMans in 2 years, fiberglass front end, Lexan, 474, roller motor, tubbed!!

[Blackfoot]

Oh now Brian, don't worry about that. She's to nice to go beating on just yet, maybe a couple of years down the road but a little weekend flogging out at Island once in awhile won't hurt. Can I get a fiberglass front end for it? LOL No check in the mail today. As soon as it gets here I'm hauling that rear down to the rear end shop.

I've got a babys brain and an old mans heart,..............

[Brian '74]

I think he is at the point he has to decide if he wants to run the car at the track or cruise around Pennsy. It isn't a daily driver, everyday car. That is why everyone recommends going w/ a lower gear. He has a 400 and 2.73's but wants to go to the track and run some good numbers. 3.23's aren't going to do it for him, maybe 3.55's, but he has 4.10's.

[goatseeker]

Blackfoot,
Sounds like you're pointed in the right direction now. Traction & gearing sound like your most important upgrades at this point. 3.73's should be a good compromise for the street while letting the 400 reach it's potential on the strip.
Sounds like you have the carb, intake and exhaust pretty well set up, but IMHO could stand a bit more cam than the 068.
14's are easilt in reach with a rear end & cam upgrade.

http://kurtspontiac.homestead.com/TimSimpson66GTO.html

[bs78ta]

I am running low 13's with cc270 CAM, 6x-4 Heads with no port work,Ram air exh. manifolds with a 4 speed and 3.73 gears in a '78TA. 14's are not that hard to get and cost a lot less than edelbrock heads and don't forget about those not so cheap O port headers you are going to need.

Butch

[Blackfoot]

Thank you all very much for your input and a lot of good input it is. I think I'm going to go for the 4:10's depending on the cost of rebuilding the series 4 carrier(?) that they're bolted to now. I got the rear pulled apart this afternoon and the gears look to be brand new. The carrier bearings definantly need to be replaced so I'm probably going to have the carrier rebuilt also. I've also got a series 3 carrier. I've definantly got some options. I will be taking the rear to a fairly local pro race shop(outside of Philly) that specializes in rear ends. Aside from carrier rebuild, C clip elinators, sand blast and powder coating I'm going to have new Strange axls installed. I'm seriously considering having the rear narrowed 1" to 1 1/2" on each side to allow for more tire clearance. I've got 8x15 inch Cragars with 255/70 BF Goodrich's on my pickup truck and I've had them on the car(rear) with okay clearance but with a little narrower rear they'd be totally under the car and I could lose the aluminum spring spacers that are on the car now. The 255/70's are 28" high. I'm pretty stoked about this rear thing at the moment. Someone asked earlier about the torque convertor that I'm running. I'm running a 2200 stall converter. My total timing is set at 36* and she seems to come on at the 2300 to 2500 range which is just about what the intake was made for. I pulled the Holley Dtreet Dominator off about the second week I had the car on the road and put on a Ebrock performer. What a piece of ****, sold it to my buddy for $100. I've got the Street Dominator back on and with timing and carb adjustments she's just fine. She likes to load up but the rear should straighten that out too. Anymore advice, send it on. What do you guys think about narrowing that rear. Its going to have to have some welding repair on the shock stud ears anyway and I'm thinking go for it!

I've got a babys brain and an old mans heart,..............

[Blackfoot]

I'm getting ready to order some new Edelbrock heads for my 400. I had the motor built last winter with 6X#8 heads and they did just what they're supposed to do. Run on Pump gas well. I want a little more performance and I've pretty much decided on the Edelbrocks. I'm not up for a cam change at this time and I'm running an 068 cam at the moment. I'm undecided on which CC size I should run on this engine. There's 87cc and 72cc. I'm also going to run roller rockers. Can I run 1.65's or should I stick with 1.50's? If I run the 1.65s will I have to have the pushrod holes elongated or do the Edelbrocks already come that way. I'm running stock rods and cast pistons so I'm limited on how big I can go. I'm having a new 12 Bolt Chevy rear being built and I'm going to have 3:42's installed. I can supply you with any additional info. I'll keep an eye on this thread this evening and the rest the week but I'd really like to get this order in before the end of the week. This is all going into my 67 LeMans. I'm hoping to have a street drivable car that can turn out some mid 14's with the aforementioned combo. Can I do it? Thanks for any feedback and advice in advance. I'm worried to death that a freind of mine is going to spank me with his 350 Camaro so I'm fighting back with my wallet. Help me spend my money wisely.

I've got a babys brain and an old mans heart,..............

[6567GTO]

Mark, definately change the gears first. 3.90's are a great street gear for 400's too. I used to run those gears in a 69 I had years ago and loved them. As long as it's not your commuter car, that is. Otherwise go with 3.73's. I'm running those gears in my 65 with a 455 4 sp. and love 'em. What converter are you using in your T400? What is your total timing set at? What RPM does it come in?


http://home.earthlink.net/~uptons1/ <~~some pics of my 65 GTO

[FantomPoncho]

Don't need Edelbrocks to be respectable:
'66 Lemans, 421 .030, Ross Pistons, stock rods, 6x untouched, Performer RPM, stock HEI, Edelbrock 750 Carb, 4 tube headers, TH400, 2500 Stall, 3.55 Posi, Stock interior, Stock suspension. Best time: 13.2 w/ 2.0s 60 ft. Once I tweak the suspension, it'll be in the 12s. FWIW!

[6567GTO]

I'd try the 4.10's first too.


http://home.earthlink.net/~uptons1/ <~~some pics of my 65 GTO

[goatseeker]

You certainly don't need Eheads to run 14's with a 400. You could spend that $1200 in a lot of other places and wind up with lower ET's. Some questions need to be answered first:
What carb & intake set up do you have?
Do you already have headers or planning to get some?
What size exhaust are you running?
How are the 6X heads you have set up? Ported? Big valves? Pushrod holes elongated?
IMHO, Eheads should be the last thing you consider after the other items above are addressed. Otherwise, that $1200 for the aluminum heads might be a big disappointment. Just my 2 cents.

http://kurtspontiac.homestead.com/TimSimpson66GTO.html

[80TA]

I run close to a mid 14 now.No headers.Stock intake,unknown cam,not sure heads.3.42 gears.
I still haven't installed my 2400 b and m stall or my headers,I have a recurve kit to intall also and am currently removing fan and installing a big electric. I like the 3.42 quite a bit on the highway and they could be fine for track I think with shorter than the current 28 inch tires.I also found an old torquer 2 intake I can buy for around 75 bucks.The e heads are supposed to be worth around 100hp in one of my newer car mags but you need round port headers with them.

80TAWS6,400,edelbrock carb,accel wires,dual exhaust,dynomax mufflers,3.42 strange gears.Waiting for istall:CE subframe connectors , B&M 2400 nitrous holeshot.
14.64 at 97.3mph 2.46 60ft uncorrected tazzo vpc.
1900 ft altitude.

99TAWS6 ..lots of mods.13.35 at
109 2.27 60ft uncorrected tazzo vpc.
1900 ft altitude.

[Brian '74]

Mark,
Check your mail.

[LouisianaGuy]

Hell give the 4.10s a try first with the tallest tire you can squeeze into the fender wells and see what happens :P You may be suprised, you can always swap em out later on. I run 3.73s in my TA.
Mike

[Blackfoot]

Hey Goatseeker here it is. Holley Street Dominator intake/ Holley 750 carb/ MSD hei ignition with a 6AL ignition box/ D-port Hooker Super Comps( Jet Hot Coated)/ 2 1/2 exhaust/ 6X #8 heads, no frills, stock, just new with a 3 grind on the valves seats.

I've got a babys brain and an old mans heart,..............

[Brian '74]

You'll be in the 13's with some tweaking. Check your mail again I have some options you might like. Better than spending the money on the Eheads right now, maybe down the road.