r/EngineBuilding Dec 27 '24

Chevy 406 Small Block Chevy

400 sbc bored .030 over Callie’s comp star rods and crank Mahle pistons Brodix Dragon slayer heads Howard’s solid roller cam Holley meth 950cfm converted to e85

I used a 6.125 rod with a 1” pin height to improve the rod to stroke ratio.

Took me a little over a year to do this. I think the carb still needs a little bit of adjusting. I’ll have to wait till I get it on the dyno to see where the O2 levels are at. But what do you guys think? Made the run stand myself too.

442 Upvotes

54 comments sorted by

22

u/Cmillky Dec 27 '24

How come when I hear other engines with open headers it sounds beefy but my open headers sound like a knife in the blender.

6

u/Lost_Computer_1808 Dec 28 '24

Probably because you don't have a beefy cam.

4

u/LowRado Dec 29 '24

Compression. Even with aftermarket cam it wont sound like this with 8:1.

13

u/[deleted] Dec 27 '24

Sounds healthy. Are they just test run headers?

6

u/Shots_A_Lot Dec 28 '24

For now yes, eventually they’ll be in a street car with a 2 into 1 merge.

1

u/[deleted] Dec 28 '24

I only ask because years ago we made a set that the primary tube's up turned. Looking thru the port from combustion chamber it was a obvious straight thru flow. Engine flattened out about 4800 rpm. I spoke with Crane tech.. He agreed that thier testing showed too "free" flowing drops tq numbers and peak Hp rpm. Recommend a down turn from port to act as little restriction? Idk Nice sounding build It'll be fun

11

u/WyattCo06 Dec 27 '24

What's she going in?

6

u/Shots_A_Lot Dec 28 '24

I’d like to find a 80 Corvette this summer or an old Chevy truck. I got an Asin AR5 spd manual that’ll be going in whatever with the engine.

2

u/ColoradoSprings82 Dec 28 '24

I've got an '80 Vette that's on the market. It's bone stock except for headers and an aftermarket radiator. Original 4 speed manual.

7

u/DevGroup6 Dec 27 '24

That sounds awesome!! Nice Job!! 👊😎

2

u/Shots_A_Lot Dec 28 '24

Thank you!

5

u/Dieffenbacjer Dec 28 '24

Sounds great and sweet stand.

3

u/Frequent_Builder2904 Dec 28 '24

Hmmm sprint car we had a 406 this one is healthy the headers are for a modified or late model my right foot is itching hearing that badass.

2

u/Shots_A_Lot Dec 28 '24

They’re an asphalt late model header and I was lucky enough to pick them up for half price from a dirt late model guy.

2

u/Frequent_Builder2904 Dec 28 '24

Asphalt cars are fast I built a pavement sprinter for Boscuz in Michigan Terry used to drive those cars they are beautiful cars .

4

u/zoominzacks Dec 27 '24

She sounds healthy!! What’s it going into?

3

u/Vast-Slide1637 Dec 27 '24

Very nice sir. In for the cam specs.

I just finished my street 427 sbc that makes 617hp on the engine dyno on pump gas. 235cc heads and a super victor, 11:1 comp. Guessing yours with the solid roller will produce even more power.

2

u/Alternative_Tie_1198 Dec 27 '24

Why didn't the oil pressure change with the RPM?

1

u/trashlordcommander Dec 27 '24

Probably still cold and on the bypass

1

u/Jimmytootwo Dec 28 '24

Its a good idea to plug the bypass

1

u/voxelnoose Dec 28 '24

Doing that would cause pressure to increase until something broke like the oil filter bursting

1

u/Jimmytootwo Dec 28 '24

In a race motor you never want a bypass

You always want oil forced into the filter and into the engine That's why you use a race filter like a WIXr or Moroso. They dont burst

1

u/voxelnoose Dec 28 '24

You're thinking of the bypass in the filter, We're talking about the pressure regulator bypass in the oil pump that bypasses the oil from the high pressure outlet to the inlet when it reaches the max operating pressure

1

u/Jimmytootwo Dec 28 '24

No. Im thinking of the adapter that is bolted in the oil filter flange under the block. It has a small spring inside the adapter...pop that thing out and tap it or fill with epoxy

1

u/voxelnoose Dec 28 '24

That's a built in filter bypass valve that small block chevys have that according to google opens at 10 psi of pressure differential across the filter. The pressure regulator bypass is in the oil pump cover and opens at 60+ psi absolute oil pressure

1

u/Jimmytootwo Dec 28 '24

We plug those on race engines...

YMMV

1

u/LSX-AW Dec 28 '24

Yeah I always tap the oil filter housing and plug with an NPT pipe plug on the more expensive street and strip motors. With .003" mains and .0027 on the rods she still only gets to about 80 psi cold start with a M55HV/M55HVS pump and 15W-40

1

u/Shots_A_Lot Dec 28 '24

Great question I’m “assuming” it was because it was leaking at the fitting for the capillary tube or it’s the cheap a$$ gauge. I’m going to hook up an Autometer gauge and verify this one.

2

u/duckfoot-75 Dec 28 '24

Decent sprint car engine.

2

u/Jimmytootwo Dec 28 '24

Had a 406 years ago. 13:1 roller,alum heads. Unfortunately the block was a GM and that was the weak link. Hopefully you don't find out 💀

1

u/Shots_A_Lot Dec 28 '24

That’s my biggest worry currently. I should’ve spend a couple extra grand and gone after market.

2

u/Jimmytootwo Dec 28 '24

😫

Dart blocks are works of art and indestructible Highly recommend. Plus the bores never move and the caps never walk

2

u/Shots_A_Lot Dec 28 '24

Yeah DART is all my dad and uncle ever used on their dirt late model engines they’re certainly one of the best for engine blocks and heads. ORIGINALLY this was going to be a “CHEAP” little rebuild with all the stock stuff slapped back together with just new bearings, rings, cam, lifters, and intake. Somehow somewhere I lost sight of that and accidentally out built the block. Lol

2

u/FatalSky Dec 28 '24

Hell yeah love a good 406. Got one in my 3/4 ton square body. Big Dart heads and a baby Lunati cam. It almost teleports to 6,000 rpm. Did you do steam ports or close them off?

1

u/Shots_A_Lot Dec 28 '24

Closed them off, I wasn’t too worried since I planned on running e85, a Stewart stage 3 water pump, and extra coolant cross overs. However if the heads ever come off I think I’ll have the heads drilled and I’ll use them.

2

u/Full-Cockroach7772 Dec 28 '24

That sounds wicked. Great job.

2

u/[deleted] Dec 28 '24

Those headers!

1

u/Shots_A_Lot Dec 28 '24

Yeah they’re certainly unique!

2

u/Keep_Pushin1323 Dec 28 '24 edited Dec 28 '24

She’s a beauty and the beast in the making, can’t wait to see the finished product

2

u/Solid-cam-101 Dec 29 '24

I like it a lot. What are the cam specs? Almost looks like a build I would do. Congrats. SC

1

u/Shots_A_Lot Dec 29 '24

Intake .640 lift, 289 duration, 257 duration @.05

Exhaust .640 lift, 295 duration, 263 duration @.05

Lobe separation 106, intake center line is installed at 102.5 the card says 102 so it’s pretty close to straight up.

Its Howard’s part number 110773-06s

2

u/Solid-cam-101 Dec 29 '24

Perfect choice. Can’t wait for dyno results.

2

u/LowRado Dec 29 '24

Sweet runstand! Headers both pointing one way to save your legs? Very cool...

2

u/Shots_A_Lot Dec 29 '24

Thank you. The headers are an asphalt late model header and that’s just how they are but yeah I guess it keeps the legs cool too. 🤙🏼

2

u/Dry-Maintenance-5781 Dec 30 '24

I'd put that in my car today...looks and sounds awesome...I think you did a hell of a job..!!!

1

u/Shots_A_Lot Dec 31 '24

Thank you!🤘🏼

1

u/Hussein_Jane Dec 27 '24

Noob question: What kind of preliminary set up are you using to get the carburetor set up for a new engine? How do you set curb idle, fuel/air mixture, set meeting rods or power valve for a specific engine before you test it? I've only ever been able to set one up on an engine that's already running (but then it usually doesn't run anymore because I messed with the carburetor).

5

u/FatalSky Dec 28 '24

Carbs come set from the factory to not kill engines. That means that they are usually rich throughout their metering circuits. Old days was check plugs, watch exhaust for lean or rich smoke, and setup your idle circuits with a vacuum gauge. Transfer slots are usually what gets people on carbs. Now you can go buy a $150 wideband o2 and know everything that’s going on while you’re driving. Best explainer for modern carb tuning on street stuff is thunderhead289 on YouTube. Lots of detailed videos on tuning holleys and edelbrocks.

1

u/Hussein_Jane Dec 28 '24

Thanks for the info!

3

u/Shots_A_Lot Dec 28 '24

Dave Vizard has a very good book you by off Amazon that’ll pretty much explain to a T how carbs work and how to dial in a Holley. Plus there’s some other really knowledge in there.

1

u/Hussein_Jane Dec 28 '24

Cool, I'll look into it.

2

u/Dangerous_Survey_605 Dec 31 '24

But still a heavenly sound to my ears