when to stop

[shitty67]

My question is how much horse power will a stock bottom end support. Its a 2 bolt, chevy 400, stock crank and rods, the casting is a 509, and its a 020 block.

[OLDHEAD]

My question is how much horse power will a stock bottom end support. Its a 2 bolt, chevy 400, stock crank and rods, the casting is a 509, and its a 020 block.

I believe Joe Sherman in Calif. has been build hundreds of 2 bolt 400 for 20 years,using 350 stock rods with good bolts.But he uses good pistons and make over 600 HP.....Since you are using stock CAST pistons I would think about 400 HP is all...........Oldhead

[adamsvega]

the 2 bolt is stonger in the web than 4-bolt blocks
cheap it out if ya use lite claimer pistons and 350 rods the cast crank will hold 480 h/p and 6300rpm for along time!! ----- use main studs!!!!
good pistons and scat cast stuff will take alot of 580 h/p 6500 runs with head and main studs
good crank rods and pistons will support 650 and 6800 . you take all the woulda coulda and i make 4 passes a yr. 700+ nos passes and blower stuff and chalk it up to luck . you press it it will fail like all any other stock stuff .

[shitty67]

I have stock rods and stock crank with Kieth Black pistons no studs, mains or heads. What is the max rpms I should bring it to?

[4dblnkldude]

Mark, your bottom end is balanced well.

[shitty67]

I hope you fall in a well, never to be found.

[4dblnkldude]

Right away you gotta be a smart ass. Let the motor tell you what it wants.........experimentation.

[adamsvega]

dont let the Stock motor tell lya what it wants !!!BOOM !!!!the stock rod bolts dont like to see 6000 to long .those short rods load the hell outa the side skirts and at rpm wear on em fast .it is bad karma to take stock heavy slugs to 6000 to long . I build claimer stuff and it fares well and long at 6800 but it is so lite i use a 305 crank in the 355 and long rods .if it blows up i can put another one together at cost for my self !!! and they make a season for the dirt guys .for cheap!!!
i would never expect anything in a 400 to live like that. With that bore and stroke your limit is 5500 shift max 5700 with ALL stock stuff and even then your gonna hurt it doing that for long . build a 383/392 for cheap in a 350 block or spend some more on the 400-414 but dont waste a good 400 block beating on a ALL STOCK bottom . it was never intended to spin where you need it to make power . kinda like a 400m hell there are enough roller cam 350 blocks out there to slap out and blow up save the $$$$$$$

[HonkIfPartsFallOff]

I mean it's not like your trying to make 1,300 hp with a stock crank, right? cause that would be crazy.....

[shitty67]

I was told with my dart heads and cam it should make around 540 at the flexplate

[adamsvega]

this is getting old !!!
and 1300 h/p is not possible with out gold #8 bolts lmao 1190 works about 3 times with good pistons and bolts
if ya want those heads and a cam to not get destoyed when it blows up build a better bottom .
the stock 400 crank rods/bolts and pistons/pins are designed to live at 600-3500
every time you rev that motor up is one less time the grenade with the pin pulled is ready to blow!!
people on here have done alot of experiments on stock and modified stock stuff let those limits reached be your guide .
ya wanna get at least a set of cheap a/m (china) long rods and lite pistons then rebalance. (small base cam?)
there is nothing magical about it .the stock 400 stuff is junk and can not be thought of like a good 350!!!
unless ya have access to a machine shop and are good with a grinder to prep the crank it aint worth saving it either.
a cast steel crank is 180/225 $$$ optional to clean and balance your crank
5140 i beam 5.7 rods 180/225 $$$
hyper claimers and ring pack 180/225 $$$
bearings 100/125$$$
gasket set 65 $$$

[BLOCKHEAD75]

I've been runnin a 355 2 bolt cast gm rotating assembly and nuts and bolts with kb pistons for 4 seasons now. I shift it around 5700 and go through traps around 6200 N/A. 6500 with spray. I still have good oil pressure ,and when i change oil magnet has normal wear stuck to it. If everything is balanced properly on your motor it should support around 475 horsepower with out any issues.

[adamsvega]

another great example of stock 355 chevy rotate with upgraded pistons living a long time !!!!! it aint a short rod 400 !!!!! i give up !!!!! post out