SBC 283 Crankshaft + 400 Block = 500+ HP (Dyno Test 1 of 2)

We built a "327" SBC the hard way by combining a 283 crankshaft and a 400 block. Our 329 SBC's first dyno session revealing valve float. Engine specs listed below. View our 329's second dyno session:    • Dyno #2 283 Crankshaft + 400 Block 51...  

This dyno test took place at Richmond Engines for our 329 cu.in. SBC dyno test, with the best dyno pulls reading 500.3 HP and 427.2 LBS FT. We did notice valve spring float and addressed it here:
   • 283 Crank + 400 Block + Valve Spring ...  

(Why "destroke" a SBC, use a camshaft with conservative intake and exhaust duration, lift, and lobe separation angle? Because we can. And we did—producing fantastic horsepower and torque numbers that would suit any street application. )

The 87 octane dyno tests had a Holley 750. The 94 octane dyno tests had the 750, a Holley 830, and a Holley 770—the final pulls with the 770 were not captured on video, and our 329 accomplished 498.7 HP @ 7,000 RPM (second dyno session 512.1HP) 417.1 LBS FT @ 5,600 RPM (second dyno session 435.7 LBS FT), still exceeding our expectations, with approximately 35º timing. A Performance World HEI distributor was used for this test. The 329 had ample time for warm-up, break-in, and was solid throughout the entire session on the dyno at Richmond engines. Valve float was noted above 6800 RPM. Did it limit this engine's potential? See Part 5 for the component upgrade and Part 6 for the re-test!

Richmond Engines balanced our rotating assembly. It's as smooth and sharp as a scalpel! A huge thank you to the team there!

Michael Shumey, of Canada Engines, meticulously prepared and assembled the 329 short block. Thank you, Michael!

Because cam and engine specs have been requested:

Cam

The lobes are from Comp Cam's Extreme Energy family and are numbers 3314 and 3315.
It’s 224/230 @ .050” lift. With 1.6 rockers our lift is .536/.544 at the valve. Our cam has a 4/7 swap, with the final cylinder firing order being 1-8-7-3-6-5-4-2.

Engine

- SBC 400 Bowtie block with 2.450" mains ("350" mains)
- SBC 283 crankshaft
- Main bearing spacers from Race Engineering part number RA-BS-327. They are customized King Bearings: https://www.raceeng.com/p-28627-main-...
- Edelbrock Air-Gap intake manifold
- a mild 4/7 swap hydraulic roller camshaft, 224/230 duration
- AFR heads
- 6.1" connecting rods
- MSD distributor

View our previous videos for this 329 build:
Part 1:    • SBC 283 Crankshaft + 400 Block Crate ...  
Part 2:    • Chevy 283 Crankshaft + 400 Block AFR ...  
Part 3:    • Chevy 283 Crankshaft + 400 Block Oil ...  
Part 5 (valve spring adjustment):    • 283 Crank + 400 Block + Valve Spring ...  
Second Dyno test, Part 6:    • Dyno #2 283 Crankshaft + 400 Block 51...  

or as a playlist:
   • 329 build  

www.ceperformance.ca
www.canadaengines.com
www.richmondengines.com

Thank you for watching!

#283 #302 #327 #350 #377 #383 #400 #sbc