Skip Fix's 400

Here are the particulars on that "smoking" 400 that powered Skip Fix's black 1978 Trans Am until 2000. Skip is a true Pontiac guy who routinely provides performance advice to others on several of the Pontiac message boards. The technical data below pertains to his (3,800 lb) TA 400 that ran low 12s in the quarter mile. Check out Skip's 455 engine that replaced the 400 in 2000. If you have questions, please write to Skip at: drfixitdvm@aol.com

Technical Data

  • Block--1976 400 2 bolt mains
  • Bore and stroke--4.15" x 3.75"--bored .030 to accommodate forged pistons with moly rings
  • Heads--RAIV-- 2.11" and 1.77" valves--pocket ported; flow 156 cfm @ 10" at .500" with Ram Air III flat valves (TRW); HO head bolt set; ARP 7/16 BB Chevy rocker arm stud bolts
  • Rocker Arms--Norris Roller Rockers 1.6 ratio
  • Retainers--Crane
  • Valve Seals--O-ring, Fel Pro
  • Crankshaft--400 reconditioned; .020/.020 under; journals polished
  • Rods--Crower, billet
  • Rod Bolts--ARP, polished
  • Pistons--TRW forged +.030 with 250gm TRW pins
  • All reciprocating parts are balanced; all tolerances meet OEM specifications
  • Rings--moly--Sealed Power (Federal Mogul)
  • Main Bearings/Rod Bearings/Cam Bearings--CleviteGaskets--Fel Pro (high performance)

     

  • Camshaft--(presently) Comp Cam custom 244 intake/ 236 exhaust @ .050; advertised duration 292 intake/ 286 exhaust; lift at cam .334/ .327; 108 lobe separation angle; Norris 1.6 roller rockers on all valves
  • Timing Gear and Chain--Edelbrock 3-key way true roller (7812)
  • Valve Springs--Crane, installed height to match camshaft lift (dual springs)
  • Lifters--Comp Cam
  • Push Rods--Comp Cams High Tech (same length as RAIV)
  • Intake Manifold--1972 HO intake and crossover, 1/2" 4 hole carb spacer
  • Carburetor--Quadrajet 1973 Super Duty 800 cfm
  • Fuel Pump--Mallory 140 electric with 1/2" gas lines
  • Fuel--93 octane with booster additive
  • Oil location and filter--OEM
  • Exhaust manifold--Hedman Hustler with Skip Fix mods; 1.75" primaries, 3" collector running through 2 chamber 3" Flowmasters out 2.5" Dynomax mandrel bent tail pipes
  • Transmission--THM 350
  • Rear end--1981 WS6 (4 wheel disc) 10 bolt with 4.10 gearing
  • Converter--4200 8" converter
  • Suspension--TriCity Launcher rear leaf springs; 6 cylinder Firebird front springs
  • Emission controls--none; off road use

Quarter Mile ET--12.19 seconds @ 110 mph open exhaust; 12.128 seconds @ 109.7 through exhaust system, 28x9x15 MT slicks, 18psi

Note: Skip's TA appeared in High Performance Pontiac magazine's December 2000 issue "11-second Pontiac Pavement Pounders Shootout." Check out the 455 tech data.

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