v8 400 4v Lt4
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v8 400 4v Lt4
by dade1989 Sun Nov 18, 2012 7:11 pm
I just found out my engine is a Lt4 are these any good
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Re: v8 400 4v Lt4
by Brainstain Sun Nov 18, 2012 7:27 pm
A quick google search found this.
http://www.grandsportregistry.com/lt1vslt4.htm
http://www.grandsportregistry.com/lt1vslt4.htm
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Re: v8 400 4v Lt4
by bigredlaguna Sun Nov 18, 2012 8:48 pm
That link has absolutely nothing to do with the lt4 in the OP's car.
My engine is also an lt4. It is a low compression 400 ci small block. I haven't upgraded mine yet, and while it runs good and smooth, 1st gear is the most impressive thing about it. Once it shifts into 2nd, my Hemi Charger smokes it.
This engine is one of the reasons people don't think of 70's era cars as performance oriented. It only had 175 horsepower factory rating. There are 4 cylinder engines that have similar ratings in modern cars.
The thing this engine does have is torque. Over 300 ft/lbs in factory trim.
You can substantially increase performance with a good set of cylinder heads and a cam to match your intended usage. As usual, this is dependant on the condition of the rotating assembly. I wouldn't do too much with the stock bottom end, but you can do enough to make it a fun driver.
My engine is also an lt4. It is a low compression 400 ci small block. I haven't upgraded mine yet, and while it runs good and smooth, 1st gear is the most impressive thing about it. Once it shifts into 2nd, my Hemi Charger smokes it.
This engine is one of the reasons people don't think of 70's era cars as performance oriented. It only had 175 horsepower factory rating. There are 4 cylinder engines that have similar ratings in modern cars.
The thing this engine does have is torque. Over 300 ft/lbs in factory trim.
You can substantially increase performance with a good set of cylinder heads and a cam to match your intended usage. As usual, this is dependant on the condition of the rotating assembly. I wouldn't do too much with the stock bottom end, but you can do enough to make it a fun driver.
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Re: v8 400 4v Lt4
by Brainstain Sun Nov 18, 2012 9:10 pm
Ah. Sorry, I was mislead by the term LT4 and thought he had a later model engine.
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Re: v8 400 4v Lt4
by pila Mon Nov 19, 2012 12:13 am
The 400 has two freeze plugs on each side of the block instead of three like the others which is one way to ident it. I have a 400 ( now 408) in my '74, which was in my '77 Elco for 20 years. They do have some issues, but mine never has ( so far) 
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Re: v8 400 4v Lt4
by 1973 454 MONTE Mon Nov 19, 2012 8:47 am
pila wrote:The 400 has two freeze plugs on each side of the block instead of three like the others which is one way to ident it. I have a 400 ( now 408) in my '74, which was in my '77 Elco for 20 years. They do have some issues, but mine never has ( so far)
i just sold one of these,2 freeze plug 400s. the guy put it in a 65 skylark.$h!+$ and gets
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