Blueprint Engines

by JF74chevelle Sun Jan 22, 2017 10:55 pm

Finally have set the date to do the swap for my muncie next weekend. After i tackle that i plan to go for a new motor. I have been eyeballing the blueprint engines crate motors because they have great reviews and warranties and nice power. The one i was looking at in particular was the 400ci 460hp. But it has 10.3.1 compression which is pretty extreme. now this car will be a daily driver on 91 octane. Would that b e detonating like h*** on the street? thanks for advice guys-Justin and how do you post pictures on here?

by bracketchev1221 Sun Jan 22, 2017 11:19 pm

But it's got aluminum heads and if it's got decent duration at .050 on the cam it will bleed off low rpm compression. Aluminum heads dissipate heat.

by Joe73 Mon Jan 23, 2017 7:28 am

I agree. Aluminum heads will help a lot. And 10.3 to 1 will work fine but you have to pay attention to your timing and advance settings.

by clanceman427 Mon Jan 23, 2017 12:25 pm

Just a heads up, I believe you assembled all your 4 speed conversion parts around an internally balanced old school small block, correct? If so, just keep in mind when you look at other engines down the road, if they are internally or externally balanced. You need to coordinate the appropriate parts like the flywheel and harmonic balancer. Saw you mentioned a 400 and I know that the old school 400 small block Chevy engines were externally balanced. I'm not familiar with the crate engine you speak of, just something to keep in mind and find out about. Good luck this weekend that I'd exciting!

by bracketchev1221 Mon Jan 23, 2017 1:40 pm

clanceman427 wrote:Just a heads up, I believe you assembled all your 4 speed conversion parts around an internally balanced old school small block, correct? If so, just keep in mind when you look at other engines down the road, if they are internally or externally balanced. You need to coordinate the appropriate parts like the flywheel and harmonic balancer. Saw you mentioned a 400 and I know that the old school 400 small block Chevy engines were externally balanced. I'm not familiar with the crate engine you speak of, just something to keep in mind and find out about. Good luck this weekend that I'd exciting!

That is something to note. On a 400 USUALLY the balancer and flexplate are supplied when you buy it. As they should be balanced with the rotating assembly. That being said, it would be wise to have the flexplate and your 4 speed flywheel checked against each other to ensure they have the same imbalance to them.

by thatfnthing Mon Jan 23, 2017 5:16 pm

I have heard of an internally balanced 400, but those used a very expensive aftermarket crank. Agreed, though, if it's the externally balanced one, the damper and flexplate should come with it. And if it has a stock-style cast crank, I wouldn't wind it over 5000 RPM, either.

by pila Mon Jan 23, 2017 6:11 pm

I had this bad habit of buzzing my 406 up to 7000, and when I rebuilt it for the second time, the guys at the machine shop called me & said the crank was cracked, and to bring the balancer in for therm to check.....both were cracked ! They asked me how highI was buzzing it up to, but I wouldn't tell'em !! They know me too well !
So these days I take it easy on that engine. which is now 408 ! I guess the 400 doesn't do well at high RPM without the better parts in it..
CR was 9.8 before rebuild, and It didn't like anything but premium fuel. Now has a bit less CR

It's in my Malibu now...

Does the Blue Print engine have aluminum heads ?

by ant7377 Mon Jan 23, 2017 8:26 pm

pila wrote:I had this bad habit of buzzing my 406 up to 7000, and when I rebuilt it for the second time, the guys at the machine shop called me & said the crank was cracked, and to bring the balancer in for therm to check.....both were cracked ! They asked me how highI was buzzing it up to, but I wouldn't tell'em !! They know me too well !
So these days I take it easy on that engine. which is now 408 ! I guess the 400 doesn't do well at high RPM without the better parts in it..

CR was 9.8 before rebuild, and It didn't like anything but premium fuel. Now has a bit less CR

It's in my Malibu now...

Does the Blue Print engine have aluminum heads ?

Does your 408 have block filler in it? I remember reading about one but it said for crank clearance you needed block filler.

by pila Mon Jan 23, 2017 10:31 pm

Can't say I have heard of block filler having to do with clearance. I have 350 rods in mine, and I have to use the rod bolts that have the heads that will clear the cam, and even then, they almost wipe the pre-lube off of the cam ! I bought the pistons for the longer rods in a 400. The first time I built it, I used 400 stock pistons, and milled the tops off of the pistons, 1.35" to be exact, to compensate for the longer rods, and milled the valve pockets in them.

We are getting a bit too far away from the object of this thread ! sorry ! Embarassed

by JF74chevelle Tue Jan 24, 2017 12:25 am

I know this is off topic but for those four speed guys can you post a picture of the pedal assembly. I want to see where the clutch bumper stop goes and etc. Going to paint mine pedals soon.

by JF74chevelle Tue Jan 24, 2017 12:27 am

clanceman427 wrote:Just a heads up, I believe you assembled all your 4 speed conversion parts around an internally balanced old school small block, correct? If so, just keep in mind when you look at other engines down the road, if they are internally or externally balanced. You need to coordinate the appropriate parts like the flywheel and harmonic balancer. Saw you mentioned a 400 and I know that the old school 400 small block Chevy engines were externally balanced. I'm not familiar with the crate engine you speak of, just something to keep in mind and find out about. Good luck this weekend that I'd exciting!

Im so up in the air about what i want to do for a motor build. Idk if i should build my own or buy a crate motor.

by ant7377 Tue Jan 24, 2017 6:56 am

Price it out. Those motors from Blueprint look nice though. That 396 small block is sweet! I think with having to find a new core or buying a Dart block than waiting for machine work to get done it might be worth it to with a crate motor. Only thing is if there is a problem it could be a pain in the A$$.

by bracketchev1221 Tue Jan 24, 2017 8:00 am

Most times today, you can't beat the price of a crate engine. Mostly they are reliable, but like was said, if there happens to be a problem its a lot of work. On the flip side, if you build it yourself, you can use the parts you want to if you are able to come up with a combo. But this costs more money. Some people just don't know what works best together and need someone to piece it together for them. I guess there are just pros and cons to both. Myself, I like to lean towards race parts, so I tend to overspend and build it my way. For example, I would never use a hypereutectic piston in my engines. But that is my preference.

by Joe73 Tue Jan 24, 2017 8:49 am

I'm with Ray !!!! I like to build them myself and I never use a hypereutectic piston. I always lean towards race parts but I spend alot of time on research.

I dont build all out race engines at all. Just nice setups that do whats expected with reliability being the key. I'm not building to squeeze every last bit of horsepower out of it.

I'm dont get carried away with the two bolt versus the four bolt thing either. And the one time I did, I opted to have it machined for a splayed four bolt. I idea of splaying the caps has great reviews and I think the geometry definitely makes it stronger.

Two bolt blocks definitely do the job in the 400+ range without issue.
And if I can keep the original block with the car, I will.

Even when a block comes back from the machine shop, I'll spend a good amount of time mic'ing it up to make sure the cylinders are good and then cleaning and getting ready for paint.

I'm rebuilding my original 350, numbers matching, two bolt, block in my chevelle. I rebuilt it back in 86 or 87 and it had less than 5000 miles on it since then. I tore it down along with the entire car. Mic'ed it up and she was in great shape so I had it hot tanked and a quick hone for new cross hatching. Got it home, put in the freeze out plugs with some indian head (remember that stuff?), taped it off and sandblasted the block. Then shot some high temp primer because I didnt have any epoxy around, let it flash, then two coats of chevy orange.
I have all the parts ready to go including forged crank and forged pistons. Only have to order up some aluminum heads.

by jerry46765 Tue Jan 24, 2017 10:26 pm

I didn't realize Blueprint uses their own aftermarket block and heads. So there probably isn't one genuine Chevrolet part in this engine. Can it still be called a Chevrolet engine?

Thanks -

by pila Wed Jan 25, 2017 1:26 am

I still have the original engine 350 for my '74 Malibu, "resting" until I get around to rebuilding it. I'm not gonna get too carried away with performance on that one, just a step above stock, so that something happens when stepping on the go pedal. It was kind of a dog before I removed that engine..even had a 2bbl 2GC carb on it !

by Tom77 Wed Jan 25, 2017 7:49 am

I put the Blueprint 383 stroker in in 2010. 450HP 450 torque. Never regretted it for a minute. Even to this day if I call with a question they take care of me like I just bought it yesterday. Only issue I ever had was a serpentine belt system I put on. Even though I didnt buy it from Blueprint they helped me work through it. I drive my car all the time even back and forth to work runs great on premium pump gas. Lots of power and no pinging.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10202622349711533&set=a.2401681893048.126581.1581102349&type=3&theater
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10202622351551579&set=a.2401681893048.126581.1581102349&type=3&theater

by Tom77 Wed Jan 25, 2017 7:57 am

Scott Liggett liggetts@blueprintengines.com

Forgot to add here is my contact that has helped me with all questions I had.

by ant7377 Wed Jan 25, 2017 11:11 am

Scott is knowledgeable and a real Hot Rodder. I've had conversationsome with him at Bangshift.com

by Sponsored content

Blueprint Engines

Blueprint Engines

Re: Blueprint Engines

Re: Blueprint Engines

Re: Blueprint Engines

Re: Blueprint Engines

Re: Blueprint Engines

Re: Blueprint Engines

Re: Blueprint Engines

Re: Blueprint Engines

Re: Blueprint Engines

Re: Blueprint Engines

Re: Blueprint Engines

Re: Blueprint Engines

Re: Blueprint Engines

Re: Blueprint Engines

Re: Blueprint Engines

Re: Blueprint Engines

Re: Blueprint Engines

Re: Blueprint Engines

Re: Blueprint Engines