Mystery Chevy 400 Dyno Tested - What's Inside This SBC?

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Here's an unusual one for Nick's Garage... a freshly built performance SBC 400. Only thing is, Nick didn't build it, and he does not know what parts are inside. But now it's on the dyno, the truth will be told!
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Nick uses lots of tools.. here are a few.

NewAge Cabinets

Sunex Worm Drive Engine Stand

Moroso Carburetor Drain Cup

Lincoln Electric Handy MIG Welder

Moroso Jet Tool

Holley 36-181 Jet Assortment Kit

Alert magnetic work light

ProLite hanging work light

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Nick’s Garage is created with passion, and the following gear.

GoPro HERO7 action camera

GoPro HERO8 Action Camera

GoPro HERO9 Action Camera

Canon XF400 professional camcorder

Canon 90D DSLR

Manfrotto Befree Travel Video Tripod

Manfrotto Xpro Aluminum Video Monopod

Rode VideoMic Pro+

Rode Microphones Wireless Go

Zoom F1-LP Lavalier Body-Pack Recorder

Lowepro ProTactic Camera Backpack

Lowepro Multi-Purpose Backpack

Nanuk 970 Waterproof Hard Case

Dinkum Systems ActionPod PRO

DJI OM 4 Gimbal

Lume Cube Panel Mini Video Light

Lume Cube 2.0 Light

Aputure MC Video Light

Litra LitraTorch 2.0 On Camera Light

Apple iMac with Retina 5K Display

LaCie Rugged USB-C 4TB External Hard Drive

[juicedchevy]

Thank you for the great work you did on the engine Nick, i took the engine apart a few years ago and came to you to mesure the combustion chamber size because I myself had very few info on it. Based on those measurements I sold the old fuely heads that were maybe from an old 327 corvette engine and got a whole new top end kit. I will definitly choose every part myself on the next build, that being said im very greatful for how it turned out and very thankful for the good tune you did on her. Thanks again man ! Ps the engine is for my 89 firebird :)

[edwardgoff]

I went with 400 GM and added a stroked kit to make 427 and built it all to run pump gas.. Dyno run was 535 hp with a 850 Holley . Added EFI and the horsepower went to 565 hp. EFI improved the overall driving experience and added a big boost in power. This is odd combination of big power in a small package

[cw]

Just finished my 400. .490 lift. Blue print Aluminum heads. 6" rods. Thing HAULS!! 400 is my all time favorite engine.

[bradfischer]

I don't care if it's Chrysler Ford or Chevy they're all American horsepower. Thank you for another great video

[mcdonaldm]

Thanks Nick for a great video!
I remember buying 400 sbc's for $50-$100 in the late 80's/early 90's. People around here were scared of them because of all the stories of over heating or blocks splitting. They didn't understand about drilling the steamer holes in non-400 cylinder heads. So they built stroker motors instead. I love these engines! So easy to make good power and torque. I wish I had one now!

[davidsymalla]

You know Nick is a gearhead through and through!! He still gets excited when he makes a decision and confirms it by rubbing his hands together. Sign of someone that loves what he does!! :)

[Roadsurfergo]

I think Nick is falling in love with those Chevys. Really enjoy the variety of engines.

[Thumper]

My dad used to build late model dirt car engines using 400 sbc as starting point by time he was done he had 700hp+ fire breathing monsters that would run 100 lap races wide open. I grew up getting to watch this and hand him wrenches and be a part of it. Nasty nasty engines especially for the time.

[eddiea]

I love watching Nick when he's in the Dyno room. That is where Nick has his most fun. He can tune like crazy in there. He has super good instincts. He tunes by feel. Old skool. I like that.

[twasbrillig]

LoL I love his smile as the engine starts up...despite his lifelong experience he still get's a childlike thrill out of the sound of the engine starting up. he's adorable.

[easygoing]

I always remember, when draining small amounts of oil out of an overfilled case, loosening the plug to the "finger-loose" point, and then shoving a very short 3/4" I.D. heater hose (or somewhere abouts) over the flats of the plug and slowly turning it at "precision drain mode" by holding the hose without burning my fingers on 200° dripping oil and plug.

[johnhull]

Nick's attention to detail is the secret to his success, good show Nick

[mattkurtz]

Lol my buddy had a 400 in his 68 Camaro graduation gift in 1996, gm dual plane holley 750, ported camel humps headers and a mystery cam, he blew the doors off almost everything, made believers out of us 400 is a brute

[dniksich]

I used to build and run a few 400's back in the mid/late 80's on the street. They had killer torque for a small block and were great street engines. I also used to run them with the old "double hump" fuelie heads.

[jamesreeder]

I really enjoy seeing a tuning guru at work. This is the first and only time I've ever subscribed to any YouTube shows. It Nick can't squeeze out a few more horses I don't know who could!

[leroycaudill]

I learn something every time I watch Nick Im a 70 year old mechanic. Never to old to learn.

[basshunter]

Nick, the more I watch you, it becomes apparent that you mentally bond with an engine when it's on your dyno! Knowing how to coax the maximum output from a particular engine is gift only attained through years of experience. Great vid Nick! 👍

[deucerider]

Ya know it's gonna be a good day when it starts out with hot coffee and Nick's Garage! First, I want to commend George on his superb skills. If I was there, I wouldn't get to see the angles or hear the sounds any better! For example : the shot of Nick when he hit his numbers! Rocky, eat your heart out! And Nick, your mind is something to watch work! A machine "reading" a machine....
Great job fellas, as always! Stay safe and healthy!

[LunarOutlawsGarage]

What’s up Nick and George how are you doing up in the north. It’s cool to see a GM on the channel🤘 today I will be dropping a video reviving my newest acquisition A 1970 Buick powered by a 455. There’s so many great engines out there from different brands it’s hard to be brand loyal lol

[WireWeHere]

Had a 400 in my 78 GMC Camper Special. On the way home in 84 it died in the freeway right at an exit, no spark. Coasted as far as we could and we stopped right beside a pay phone. Called BCAA for a tow to the GM dealership that happened to be open until 9pm, we arrived at 8:35. Bought a pickup coil on an educated guess and after listening to the disbelief and hearing about the nearby accommodation pulled the distributor and got to work. I had it back together and was about to test it as the dealership staff were walking out at 9:02. It fired up and I was going to set the timing but instead drove out of sight first. The disbelief from the staff probably saved us half an hour. Never left home without a spare HEI again. It's almost as if you can prevent a failure just by having the spares on hand. and I packed a bunch of them and although I never needed them for my own vehicles I did get to help plenty of people who were in the middle of having a bad day.
Cheers.