Running 12's with a big block, especially a 440 doesn't take too much work.

My very first 440 car was a 1968 Coronet R/T. I took the stock 440, rebuilt it and only added a MP 484 lift cam, aftermarket intake, holley carb, and headers. With the stock 3.23 gears, I was running 13.3-13.4 & 103-104 mph in a full weight car.

Wanting to get into the 12s, I had the heads bowl blended (mild port job) and added 2.14 / 1.81 valves and changed the camshaft to something a tad bigger, I think it was the MP .509 lift cam. Same intake, carb, and exhaust. I did add 3.91 gears. Next run out, 12.49 @ 108 mph.

Finally, I dropped on some Edelbrock Heads, a Solid Tappet cam from Hughes and crane roller rockers. I also removed the stock steel hood, and added a year one fiberglass six pack hood to save some weight and look aggressive. I moved the battery to the trunk as well. I ran a 11.9 @ 114.5 mph the next time out. 60 ft times were 1.75.

-dan