Guys with classic muscle car knowledge, I have a question.

**Murder after Midnight** · 03-06-2007, 05:14 PM

How much power does a 73 caprice 2door with a 400 with everything original make? I'm asking because my cousin just got one.

**snaggeltooth** · 03-06-2007, 05:26 PM

Hmmm I know there was the 400 SB but I think they still had a 400 BB aka 402 ...... Which one ??

**91Z28** · 03-06-2007, 05:28 PM

73 is 2 years into the smog era, so figure 200-240hp MAX. The smog era was BAD, think 8:1 compression and baby cams that don't make power past 4k.

**Murder after Midnight** · 03-06-2007, 05:31 PM

Originally Posted by snaggeltooth

Hmmm I know there was the 400 SB but I think they still had a 400 BB aka 402 ...... Which one ??

I believe he said it was a short block 400

**snaggeltooth** · 03-06-2007, 05:40 PM

Originally Posted by Murder after Midnight

I believe he said it was a short block 400

well put some heads on that thing ..lol...
400SB are great blocks to build , but stock I dont think anything over 250ish ...

**Murder after Midnight** · 03-06-2007, 05:42 PM

Originally Posted by snaggeltooth

well put some heads on that thing ..lol...
400SB are great blocks to build , but stock I dont think anything over 250ish ...

ok cool man

**91Z28** · 03-06-2007, 05:44 PM

Originally Posted by Murder after Midnight

ok cool man

lol, he was messing with you. A "short block" usually refers to an engine with just a bottom end, no heads/intake/carb. He was wondering if you had a SBC or a BBC, since the later "396" engines were actually 402s.

**snaggeltooth** · 03-06-2007, 05:48 PM

either one is a good find ...

**Murder after Midnight** · 03-06-2007, 06:01 PM

Originally Posted by 91Z28

lol, he was messing with you. A "short block" usually refers to an engine with just a bottom end, no heads/intake/carb. He was wondering if you had a SBC or a BBC, since the later "396" engines were actually 402s.

Yeah I meant to say sbc I'm a little tierd Ive been at it all day but yeah snaggs got me good lol

**91Z28** · 03-06-2007, 06:03 PM

Originally Posted by Murder after Midnight

Yeah I meant to say sbc I'm a little tierd Ive been at it all day but yeah snaggs got me good lol

You should check to see if it is 2 or 4 bolt mains. A lot of people assume the 4 bolt block is the strongest, but in fact the opposite is true. A smog era 400 can really wake up even with a mild heads/cam swap and a nice carb.

**Murder after Midnight** · 03-06-2007, 06:10 PM

Originally Posted by 91Z28

You should check to see if it is 2 or 4 bolt mains. A lot of people assume the 4 bolt block is the strongest, but in fact the opposite is true. A smog era 400 can really wake up even with a mild heads/cam swap and a nice carb.

Ok cool I will