400ci Dart Aluminum Small Block Engine Build - Aluma-Mouse

Comp Cams supplied the stick, a hydraulic roller grind, on its 12-000-9 core. Lobe lift is 0.363-inch on the intake and 0.361-inch on the exhaust, while intake and exhaust duration at 0.050-inch lift are 236 and 242 degrees, respectively. Lobe separation angle is 110 degrees and the cam was installed on the 108 degree intake centerline. With Dart 1.6:1 rocker arms, net lift works out to 0.581-inch on the intake and 0.577-inch on the exhaust. So while the lightweight block requires a non-catalog camshaft, the cam timing used here is fairly conventional small-block fare.

Due to the wider pan rails, an OE-style oil pan won't fit. But not to worry; pans are readily available off the shelf from Moroso and others, in both wet- and dry-sump varieties. If you've opted for a wet-sump setup with a standard Chevy oil pump like this engine, you'll need to use a big-block oil pump shaft to compensate for the elevated camshaft centerline. A remote oil filter is also required since the block lacks a filter pad. And if you're running a block-mounted mechanical fuel pump, you'll need a 0.200-inch-longer fuel pump shaft, available from Dart. Finally, you'll need to machine a 0.391-inch spacer to slip between the intake manifold and distributor-again, to adjust for the increased cam height-or you can simply use one of the many adjustable-sleeve distributors on the market.

Quick Notes

What is it
400ci build with a Dart aluminum block

Bottom Line
It's a reliable package that looks impressive under any hood

Cost (APPROX)
$11,390