Putting 400 sbc chevy into safari.

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91ho
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Putting 400 sbc chevy into safari.

Post by 91ho »

I wanna put 400 SBC into my 91 safari shortie. Will all accessories bolt up? How to make it run with tbi?
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Re: Putting 400 sbc chevy into safari.

Post by Mr_Roboto »

That depends on a few things. First off, expect to get a tune, better fuel pump, adjustable regulator and bigger injectors for the TBI and if you're making tons of power it's probably going to be a limit due to either fuel or air flow. 300-350hp should be doable with TBI though. If you're running production 400 heads the intake from a TBI won't fit (it can be modified or use aftermarket or better still use an aftermarket carb intake w/adapter plate) There is a hole missing on the heads for the accessory brackets post-87 stuff uses as well. Aftermarket, TBI/TPI or Vortec heads would probably cure that issue. Watch what you have vs what you get you may not like the compression that's a byproduct if you go this route. Overall, it'll make your van way more fun to drive. My little 305 when running right is a different animal entirely than my 4.3L was when I had it going much less a 400.

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Re: Putting 400 sbc chevy into safari.

Post by 91ho »

Mr_Roboto wrote: Aftermarket, TBI/TPI or Vortec heads would probably cure that issue. Watch what you have vs what you get you may not like the compression that's a byproduct if you go this route. Overall, it'll make your van way more fun to drive. My little 305 when running right is a different animal entirely than my 4.3L was when I had it going much less a 400.


I know that 350 tbi heads bolt up to 400 how about valve clearance? The engine is from 75 c20. I know that steam holes needs to be drilled.
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1Gary
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Re: Putting 400 sbc chevy into safari.

Post by 1Gary »

A 1996 to 2000 5.7 truck donor L31 would be by far a much easier swap.
1979 Malibu drag race only car
1999 Sonoma 4.3 5 speed-Rufus
1989 Astro-Ole Yellar cancelled-still selling off parts
1985 Astro-shop van R.I.P. my friend
1994 Astro LT RWD W4.3 rod knock RIP
1982 Winnebago single rear wheel-Chevy 350 Scraped 1/28/13-broken dreams......


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Re: Putting 400 sbc chevy into safari.

Post by LiftedAWDAstro »

1Gary wrote:A 1996 to 2000 5.7 truck donor L31 would be by far a much easier swap.
Yeah it would wouldn't Gary! :poke: :muhaha:
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Vans owned:
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Re: Putting 400 sbc chevy into safari.

Post by 1Gary »

OK,but Bill doesn't come around anymore.Soooooo I'm just passing it on. #-o :yawinkle: :muhaha:
1979 Malibu drag race only car
1999 Sonoma 4.3 5 speed-Rufus
1989 Astro-Ole Yellar cancelled-still selling off parts
1985 Astro-shop van R.I.P. my friend
1994 Astro LT RWD W4.3 rod knock RIP
1982 Winnebago single rear wheel-Chevy 350 Scraped 1/28/13-broken dreams......


Rochester,NY
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HPbyStan
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Re: Putting 400 sbc chevy into safari.

Post by HPbyStan »

One could use a TBI from a 454 pretty easily. Larger bore and its injectors would probably be correct as well.
'04 White AWD Astro cargo
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Re: Putting 400 sbc chevy into safari.

Post by Mr_Roboto »

Honestly the thing to me depends on how stock the 400 is. The farther from stock it is, the more issues you're going to have. Just expect to get bigger injectors and the ECU tuned. I would use 1988 454 injectors as they should be the low pressure 454 injectors so if you wanted to turn them up later you could.

For the bucks some TBI, TPI heads or L31 Vortecs would give a compression raise, make your accessories bolt on and in the case of the TPI heads (the iron ones off a Camaro/Firebird 87 and up) You could use your stock accessories. Look for heads with the bolts in the center to hold them on. Use the rockers from them as well, they're self aligning the old ones aren't. If you can get it done back cutting the valves and porting on the TBI/TPI heads is probably money well spent even a bowl job will make good gains. Exhaust is far more critical to work than intake on the Vortecs, the TBI and TPI heads can really see nice gains if both are ported.

With L31s you will need an intake that's aftermarket. If you're using a set of TBI/TPI heads there are a few options. First is a stock TBI intake that's production which would bolt on. Secondly no matter your head choice you can always get an aftermarket intake and use a TBI adapter. A Performer RPM would probably be my choice for something you're running on the street.

Cam wise, I'd probably get something like a K1104 or a Comp 268H (NOT the XE lobes they tend to eat themselves) as this should work decently with EFI especially at 400 CID. Competition Products Z28 springs would be pretty cheap and probably be good for what you're looking to do.

Don't forget you can't use your stock flexplate or balancer from the 4.3L on the 400. It's a 2 piece rear main and externally balanced. You're stuck with what you have. You need to order one for a 400 if you need replacement parts.

You can use a TBI/TPI 350 distributor. Avoid ones from the 90s style Caprices as the hole is larger on the intake to allow the distributor to clearance the cowl.

Lastly as said, I'd consider an adjustable fuel pressure regulator and a high pressure TPI style pump. One from a 1991 GMC Typhoon will fit your tank and is the highest flow OEM unit available I'm aware of in that style. A Walbro 255LPH is about $100 from Racetronix and will work too. I have a Grand National one in my van it went right in.
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1Gary
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Re: Putting 400 sbc chevy into safari.

Post by 1Gary »

Need more info on the 400 your considering.

These Astro's are likely the easiest V8 swap you'll ever find,but still a lot of work.So you don't want to have to do it over again.

These are the manufactured swap engine mounts from JTR:

Image

I have two sets and once I am done with my swap,one set will be up for sale.
1979 Malibu drag race only car
1999 Sonoma 4.3 5 speed-Rufus
1989 Astro-Ole Yellar cancelled-still selling off parts
1985 Astro-shop van R.I.P. my friend
1994 Astro LT RWD W4.3 rod knock RIP
1982 Winnebago single rear wheel-Chevy 350 Scraped 1/28/13-broken dreams......


Rochester,NY

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91ho
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Re: Putting 400 sbc chevy into safari.

Post by 91ho »

I got the gtr mounts already. I got them sandblasted. Today gonna pick up 400 .060 over for $250. Needs mild rebuild: hone the block and put new rings and bearings and it has new oversized pistons already . I guess I can run it carburated: swap 700r4 linkage from small quadrajet off 85 astro to big one. I need bigger radiator for the 400 to keep it cool.
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Re: Putting 400 sbc chevy into safari.

Post by Mr_Roboto »

The biggest one I've found that fits is for an early 90s Camaro like an IROC-Z or something. The one out of a full size/suburban is way too wide, the S10 one is bigger but not as big. Here is the Camaro radiator. Would advise you not to be janky like I am and actually fix the shrouding. Behind it is a Taurus fan. Barely clears with a shroud I trimmed the hell outa. I want to swap over to Fbody fans as they'd be a more direct fit.

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1Gary
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Re: Putting 400 sbc chevy into safari.

Post by 1Gary »

91ho wrote:I got the gtr mounts already. I got them sandblasted. Today gonna pick up 400 .060 over for $250. Needs mild rebuild: hone the block and put new rings and bearings and it has new oversized pistons already . I guess I can run it carburated: swap 700r4 linkage from small quadrajet off 85 astro to big one. I need bigger radiator for the 400 to keep it cool.
400's have their own set of requirements with them being thin wall,core shift and steam hole cooling.060 is pretty big and not knowing the prep work that was done to bore it is a disadvantage.

I heavily suggest you have the block bores mag'ed and sonic checked before you spend any money on it.The normal course of builds is the above and bore/honed using torque plates the simulate bolting heads on the block.The bores on these 400's do move around alot,so not to do that not can,but do end up with a engine that doesn't seal well.Now this advise isn't for a high performance 400,but any rebuild.

There are performance topics like not using the short 400 connecting rods,standard re-builder's pistons with the wrong piston pin height and leaving the piston too far down in the bore and alike.

But first determine if you have a good block.Trust no one,have it checked out by a good machine shop.
1979 Malibu drag race only car
1999 Sonoma 4.3 5 speed-Rufus
1989 Astro-Ole Yellar cancelled-still selling off parts
1985 Astro-shop van R.I.P. my friend
1994 Astro LT RWD W4.3 rod knock RIP
1982 Winnebago single rear wheel-Chevy 350 Scraped 1/28/13-broken dreams......


Rochester,NY
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HPbyStan
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Re: Putting 400 sbc chevy into safari.

Post by HPbyStan »

I'm with Gary on this one. +.060" is pretty big for a 400 block for the reasons he mentioned.
'04 White AWD Astro cargo
'00 Astro / El Camino
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'71 BSA B50 engine in a '67 C25 250 chassis
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Re: Putting 400 sbc chevy into safari.

Post by Smiliesafari »

I agree....I would never do a .060 on a 400.
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91ho
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Re: Putting 400 sbc chevy into safari.

Post by 91ho »

I didn't buy the 400.
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