Starting with the single four-barrel, we fired the engine up on the dyno to begin our testing. This is a throaty small-block, and with 408 inches of displacement and sounds more like a big-block when it's running. Indy offers a version of this same engine with the MA-X (Magnum style) cylinder head and a slightly milder camshaft and slightly smaller valves rated at 450 horsepower with one four-barrel, so we were eager to see what this little powerhouse could produce. On the first dyno pull, it was evident that this small-block ran well, as peak torque was 481.8 lb-ft and peak horsepower was 495.9 horsepower at 5,900 rpm. A big part of this story, however, is the Mod Man intake this small-block is equipped with.
Thanks to Indy's Mod Man, we could quickly make dyno pulls, then change the top plate of the intake in about 20-30 minutes and be ready to dyno the engine again. We accomplished multiple pulls on this engine with three different induction setups, and easily accomplished all of our work in a day on the dyno. Even more impressive is the power this engine made. Check out the dyno results below and we're sure you'll agree that this 408 shows its potential both normally aspirated and with the blower. Also be sure to check out moparmusclemagazine.com for a video of this powerful small-block making pulls on Indy's dyno.
Price Tag
|
| 450hp 408 small-block complete | $6,479 (single four-barrel) |
| 520hp 415 small-block complete | $7,595 (single four-barrel) |
| Indy Mod Man intake | $499 |
| Mod Man top plates | $135 each |
| The power and torque of a supercharged small-block | priceless |
08 With dual-quads on this...
08 With dual-quads on this engine, horsepower improved to 512.8, and was still climbing at 6,100 rpm. Peak torque also topped the 500 mark, as the engine made 500.7 lb-ft at 5,100 rpm. The engine sounded clean and seemed to like the Mod Man intake with one carb-barrel over each port.
09a Swapping to the 671 blower...
09a Swapping to the 671 blower is slightly more complicated. As before, the required Mod Man blower plate needed to be installed...
09b ...but since a blower...
09b...but since a blower is topping the engine, Indy's specially designed offset distributor is also required to clear the rear of the blower housing.
10 With the blower and two...
10 With the blower and two 600-cfm carburetors installed, this engine sounds like an entirely different animal. Making a short dyno pull to verify everything was working properly, we quickly noticed on the computer screen in the dyno operating room that power and torque were way up.
11 With the 671 blower underdriven...
11 With the 671 blower underdriven 7.7 percent, this engine made amazing power and torque. Peak torque was over 695 lb-ft at 4,300 rpm, and peak horsepower was 738.7 at 6,100 rpm. If over-the-top looks and power are your style, adding a blower to this engine will produce what you're looking for.
12 Check out the broad torque...
12 Check out the broad torque and power curves this 408 produces in supercharged form. It was a blast testing this engine on Indy's dyno. Be sure to check out the video footage we took on moparmusclemagazine.com.