I'm looking for advise on how to build my sbc 400.

I have a standard bore 509 block that will need .030 bore & a crank that will need to be turned 20/20. (Crank was turned 10/10 & then allowed to sit & rust)

I'm trying to get an idea on what I can reasonably expect from a 400 in my '78 Malibu.

I need to replace my tranny with either a TH-350 or a 700. I think overdrive would be real nice for road trips.

I would really like to avoid a high stall torque converter.

Needs to be well mannered on the street & run on pump gas.

I was originally thinking about an internal balance crank, iron heads & grinding off any external block numbers to try to make it look like a 350.;)

On the other hand the weight savings & performance advantage of aluminum heads is very appealing.

Later on I might want to try nitrous.

Do I need to run a forged crank? Or can I get away with a cast steel crank or the original crank?

Thanks for reading my rambling post.
~JM~

Need more paramiters to give good advise. What is your budget? Daily driven?

Randy

Budget has not been set yet.

Will be a daily driver.

Thanks
~JM~

Well, its always prudent to build from the top down. Begin with the heads. I really like AFR products(with the exception of the really soft aluminum castings they use). I would grab a set of 195cc versions. They flow awesome and keep the velocity pretty high on a 406. I would match it with a Performer RPM intake. A Victor Jr type intake would kill too much lowend for your needs.
If you can swing it, a hydraulic roller would be killer for your daily driver. Maybe a comp cams XR270HR. Its 218/224 @ .050, 495/.502 lift and 110 lobe sep. It will work with your stock converter and will make GOBS of torque. For pump gas(high test) you should keep the squeeze under 10.5 to 1. By the time your all done you should be making over 500 ft lbs of torque and around 450 hp. This is about my personal limit for a cast crank and stock type rods, but if you ever plan too spray it, upgrade to forged.
Also I would wholeheartedly suggest converting to internal balance.

Randy

Your not giving much to go on here ;) Are you looking for an semi-economical but strong daily driver? 13's on the motor? The more info you can provide on what you want, the better advice we can give.