My 400 SBC 1986 Trans Am Build

[Stippy17]

Well Ive already started on the build a few months ago, so Ill just have to catch you guys up on whats been done so far.



Day after I bought her, the kid is my little brother lol:

I bought the car about 3 years ago when I was 15 for $400, I sold the 305 that came with it separetely for $200. So I had a running 1986 Firebird SE 2.8l 5 Speed on my hands. It took the better half of 2 years to switch out all of the old interior from Dark Grey/Grey to Dark Grey/Black & prepping, primering, and painting the body. The previous owner had started to turn it into a Trans Am with the Front/Rear Bumper covers he put on but he didnt have many more ground effects pieces so I had to scrounge for them.

What it looked like when I was ready to put it on the street this summer:

Now Im on the the Drivetrain of the car. My plans are pretty simple being this is my first build. I want:

V8 Swap
About 400 WHP
Mid-High 11s in 1/4 Mile
Manual to Automatic Swap


This is what I have done:

August 13th:

I bought my 400 SBC today. The plan is to drop it in the Bird' with as close to 400 HP as I can get it and try to run high 11s / low 12s with it. I dont know how I got so lucky, but its the most sought after 400 block out there (3951509). It has the 1% Tin and 2% Nickel added to the block, AND I found out its known as a 'cheater' block when I looked up the number because its the only 400 casting with 2 freeze plugs instead of 3. So at a quick glance it would appear its a 350 and not a 400. Im excited to get this project underway.

Also, its a 2 bolt which is stronger than the 4 bolt 400s.

400 SBC
Engine Stand

Total: $400

October 11th:

Little update on the 400 SBC. Ive got it torn down to where I want it, and Ive started to clean up the pistons and cylinder walls. Everything is cleaning up really nice, some of the parts like the Lifters and the Cam Bearings and a few other things look pretty new, so this block was rebuilt at some point. Heres a list of all the parts I ordered so far:

Fel-Pro Gasket Set
Moroso Race Oil Filter
Proform Gear Drive Set
Moroso Oil Pan, Pickup, & High Volume Pump
Summit Chrome Oil Dipstick
Gloss Black Engine Paint
Proform Water Pump
Edelbrock High Volume Fuel Pump

Total: $887
Shipping: $24

October 23rd:

Im still holding off on heads, cam, and intake for now while I still research all the options I have, but I have bought some useful parts for the build.

16" Gold GTA Wheels w/ Gold Center Caps $100
225/60/16 Tires (To Break in Engine) $40
Electric Fan Free
SBC Power Steering Pump, Cooling Line, & Brackets $25
3" Exhaust including Headers & hollowed-out Catback $25

Total $190

October 28th:

I just ordered alot of my suspension components Ill need. Including:

UMI Panhard Bar & Lower Control Arms $170
UMI TH400 Torque Arm, Crossmember, & Hardware $380
UMI Wonder Bar $52
UMI Subrame Connectors $180

I also bought a Cowl Hood I found on Craigslist:

2 1/2 Cowl Induction Hood $200


Total: $982
Shipping: $105

November 14th:

Ive bought my V8 Cluster for the swap, it has 51k original miles too. Ive also bought a Comp Cams .525/.525 Solid Cam & Lifter Set.


V8 Cluster $45 Shipped
Comp Cam $200 Shipped

I installed a few things on the block last night., including:

Cam & Lifters
Gear Drive
Fuel Pump
Timing Cover

November 20th:

I installed the Cluster tonight. Didnt take very long, and it wasnt too hard. Now that the V6 Cluster is out I can add that to the list of parts I can sell.


November 28th:

I bought a few more parts.

Edelbrock Performer RPM Intake
750 cfm Speed Demon Carb w/ Mech Secondaries
PowerMaster 140 Amp Alternator

Ive already painted the Intake Gloss Black to match the Block, now its time to buy Heads and start pulling the V6 Drivetrain.

November 29th:

Started to dig into the car, and had the whole drivetrain out within 3 hours. I will sell off the Tranny & Accessories, but the engine block and suspension parts I am replacing will just be scrapped.


Now I can start on removing wiring harnesses I no longer need, and prepping the engine bay for paint. I also want to get ready to undercoat the chassis, and I am currently saving up for Fast Burn heads.

Ill continue to add to this when I have updates. If you have any questions, comments, or help by all means post up.

[Orr89RocZ]

Very nice! Cant wait to see it complete! Do you still want my hooker longtube headers?

[Stippy17]

I cant wait to see it complete too lol. I may be interested in the Headers, a little out of my price range but we will have to see.

[SCU]

You 2 are making me feel bad. lol

[Stippy17]

Ha whys that?

[SCU]

Because I'm the owner of the site and I dont have a build to post. lol

[Stippy17]

So fix that? Lol

[SCU]

Im working on it. Wont be as fast as you two though...

[Orr89RocZ]

you have a build! chevelle and monte! get it done


Stippy, looking to sell the longtubes for 400. Jethot coated. Got a few scratches on it from trying to install it but other than that they are still functional

[Stippy17]

Any ideas on what vehicle your build will be? Im just trying to finish by Spring so:

A I can drive it as my daily again
B So I can have some fun with Justin, even tho with his new setup he'll kick my ass.

Id like to get it done by June at the very latest, but we'll see.