440 RV motor or 402 Chebby?
#1911239
09/12/15 08:03 PM
09/12/15 08:03 PM
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Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 10 Washington
1954Stude
OP
member
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OP
member
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 10
Washington
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Hi All first time poster. I've been a life long Chevy enthusiasts, but have decided to go a different route this time. I have a 1954 Studebaker Champion that tips the scale at 2900 lbs. I have a 1971 Chevy truck 402 engine and TH350, and a sweet running 1978 motor home 440 with 727tf w/ under 60,000 on the clock. I've removed all the smog and junk. I'm trying to decide which motor to run the 402 or 440, of course on a Mopar forum lol. I want a fun street car. It won't see any track time but I'd like to baste the tires once in a while and have a fun car street warrior/machine. I have the following rear end gears available 3.08, 3.54, 3.73, 3.91, 4.55. I have a Former intake for the 440 but I'm sure a Performer is probably is a much better choice. I'd like 350-400hp. I don't mind doing a cam swap,intake, carb, ignition, not sure if headers will fit in the Studebaker but manifolds do. Is there good flowing HP stock ones? Or a block hugger type for bb Mopar?,please excuse my ignorance this is my first Mopar product ever. I'm excited to play with something different for once.
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Re: 440 RV motor or 402 Chebby?
[Re: 1954Stude]
#1911267
09/12/15 08:56 PM
09/12/15 08:56 PM
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,243 Charlotte, North Carolina
sgcuda
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,243
Charlotte, North Carolina
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'78 had pretty low compression. Finding a set of 915's with decent valves shouldn't be too much work, and bring your compression up to 9:1. A good cam, intake, carb should get you at least to the 400 hp mark.
Welcome to Moparts.
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Re: 440 RV motor or 402 Chebby?
[Re: 1954Stude]
#1911282
09/12/15 09:28 PM
09/12/15 09:28 PM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,255 Canada
WO23Coronet
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master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,255
Canada
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Honestly either could get you there, nothing wrong with a 402 (heads likely flow abit better on the 402), but I'd still say to use the 440. Summit 6401 cam (guys that have used them say they work good in low compression 440's), performer RPM or Holley Street Dominator would put you in the 350+ HP range. There are high flow exhaust manifolds but for probably the same price you could get some block hugger shorty headers that Hedman makes
Last edited by WO23Coronet; 09/12/15 09:33 PM.
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Re: 440 RV motor or 402 Chebby?
[Re: 1954Stude]
#1911313
09/12/15 10:18 PM
09/12/15 10:18 PM
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,210 New York
polyspheric
master
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master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,210
New York
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The BBC may be slightly shorter top to bottom and narrower across the manifolds than the RB based on the deck heights. The RB may be a better fit to the firewall (farther back) with its front-mount distributor - the BBC is rear mount. Where is your center link? Steering mast and linkage? The BBC oval heads (if they're not peanut) are probably better than the RB.
Boffin Emeritus
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Re: 440 RV motor or 402 Chebby?
[Re: 1954Stude]
#1911462
09/13/15 02:35 AM
09/13/15 02:35 AM
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,210 New York
polyspheric
master
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master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,210
New York
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Studebaker V8 is 4.500" bore pitch, slightly bigger than LA, SBC, Windsor, AMC 390. Width is probably less, shorter deck.
Boffin Emeritus
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Re: 440 RV motor or 402 Chebby?
[Re: 1954Stude]
#1911718
09/13/15 04:23 PM
09/13/15 04:23 PM
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 43,285 Bend,OR USA
Cab_Burge
I Win
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I Win
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 43,285
Bend,OR USA
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Last edited by Cab_Burge; 09/13/15 04:27 PM.
Mr.Cab Racing and winning with Mopars since 1964. (Old F--t, Huh)
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Re: 440 RV motor or 402 Chebby?
[Re: 1954Stude]
#1911790
09/13/15 07:28 PM
09/13/15 07:28 PM
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,459 oklahoma
forphorty
pro stock
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pro stock
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,459
oklahoma
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http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,104749.0.html
Last edited by forphorty; 09/13/15 07:29 PM.
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Re: 440 RV motor or 402 Chebby?
[Re: 1954Stude]
#1911844
09/13/15 09:16 PM
09/13/15 09:16 PM
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 52,972 Romeo MI
MR_P_BODY
Master
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Master
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 52,972
Romeo MI
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Locally I was just offered some free BB heads part numbers are 1 pr. 4006452, 1 pr. 3462346 and some exh manifolds 2843992,2806900,2863409 I just have to pick them up or it all goes to scrap. It a 2 hour- 1 way drive ugh. I guess my garage will need some shelves cleared for the non bowtie parts lol. Being that your a chevy guy... why not just put in a LS and be done with it
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