I was just given a 72 pontiac 400 4v and T-400 from a Bonnieville, 84k original miles. I'v got access to several cars that I can bolt this engine into, and I'd like to build something I can have a little fun with. Years ago, I owned a 71 TA with the 455 H.O., and MAN! that sucker had power like a freight-train, so I know the low compression pancho motors can be made to run good. But since this 400 does not have the H.O.-RA 4 style heads, high rise intake, or extra 55 cubes the T.A. did,,, well, you get the picture. I'm going to be doing this build-up on the extreme cheap. The only mods I'm considering at this time are a cam swap, a cheapo set of 3 tube headers, and MAYBE a used aulminum intake IF I can find one cheap enough. Naturally, I'll go thru the carb, convert to HEI, and power tune it, but I know cam selection is going to be critical, so that's what I'm looking for advice on. If I remember correctly, the 71 H.O. motor used the older [late 1960's] 335 horse 400 cam, but with slightly more overlap. The 335 horse cam obviously works in a low compression motor, but without the good heads, intake, and extra cubes, I'm a little skiddish about just droping it in and hoping for the best. Also, there have been a lot of technologiacal advancements since the 335 horse cam was develpoed, so I'm sure something better exists,,, I'v just got to find it. The car that is the leading candidate for the swap is a 71 skylark 4 door. I can drive it home with a knocking rod and slipping tranny for $100. Yea, yea, I know... Keep your buick all buick, and the flame stuff... Dont bother telling me, but for $100 and a free engine, I could be having some fun! I'll be using the T-400 from the pontiac with the stock converter, but with a shift kit. I'v also got a 8.5 posi with 3.08's in the garage I can bolt into it. Anybody wanna take a shot at helping me with this one?
Check out an Edelbrock proformer cam. I've run them in some chevys with real good sucess and their cheap. EDL-2157 is the summit part number
May want to ask this on any one of all of the following forums. http://forums.performanceyears.com http://classicalpontiac.com http://pontiacstreetperformance.com Have fun and you may want to check out http://www.butlerperformance.com and go to their kits. Make 470 or so cubes w/400.
Put the Pontiac 068 cam in it. Nice idle tons of torque, excellent drivability without playing with heads, headers, etc. Erson also makes an excellent torque cam called the TQ20 that pulls hard from idle un up. Both are great mild cams. Tony
I dont know much about Pontiacs, but I loved the comp cams 268 hyd.. Had one in a 429 ford and a 350 chevy. Very good cams. Jeff
