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Stage V 440 to Hemi conversion heads
#282641
04/09/09 04:41 PM
04/09/09 04:41 PM
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 322
Itasca, Texas
Mad_Scientist
OP
enthusiast
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OP
enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 322
Itasca, Texas
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How many people have these heads and what did you have to do to your block to make them fit? Is it feasible to make the modifications to an assembled short block, or are we talking major machine work? How was the pricing? Would I just be better off to buy a crate Hemi? Current setup is a mild 440 that is set up for street use, but I really want a Hemi instead. Stage V
69 Super Bee 440 5-speed
70 Dart Swinger 340 4-speed
69 Camaro SS 396 4-speed
66 Cutlass Convertilbe
70 Judge Ram Air III 4-speed
68 F-100 SWB
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Re: Stage V 440 to Hemi conversion heads
[Re: Mad_Scientist]
#282642
04/09/09 05:00 PM
04/09/09 05:00 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 74,977
U.S.S.A.
JohnRR
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Quote:
How many people have these heads and what did you have to do to your block to make them fit? Is it feasible to make the modifications to an assembled short block, or are we talking major machine work? How was the pricing? Would I just be better off to buy a crate Hemi?
Current setup is a mild 440 that is set up for street use, but I really want a Hemi instead.
Stage V
I don't think you can even get those heads new anymore , when they first came out they were about 5k with the rocker system and that was a decade or so ago and when hemi blocks were hard to find .
build a hemi .
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Re: Stage V 440 to Hemi conversion heads
[Re: Mopar_Rich]
#282646
04/09/09 08:54 PM
04/09/09 08:54 PM
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 12,383
Taxes & Virus's R-US, NY
Dragula
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I Live Here
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Taxes & Virus's R-US, NY
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Quote:
The conversion heads ARE available. I talk to Eric all the time and I just bought a set for a customer a few months back. They require special rocker arms and the block has to be ground for pushrod clearance. It's not something you can do after the fact.
I have done a few of these and I spec a custom cam too because the exhaust rocker ratio is only 1.4:1.
I would take a set for the right price...My engine guy built an engine with a set a while back, and they make the Hp as they claim they do, but as stated, the block needs some pretty serious work to it.
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Re: Stage V 440 to Hemi conversion heads
[Re: Mopar_Rich]
#282648
04/10/09 08:45 AM
04/10/09 08:45 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 74,977
U.S.S.A.
JohnRR
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Quote:
The conversion heads ARE available. I talk to Eric all the time and I just bought a set for a customer a few months back. They require special rocker arms and the block has to be ground for pushrod clearance. It's not something you can do after the fact.
I have done a few of these and I spec a custom cam too because the exhaust rocker ratio is only 1.4:1.
Over the last year ... maybe 2 ... or so I have seen threads were people asked about these heads and the replies were that there weren't any available at the time and there was no plan in the near future to run them because they were busy making heads for real hemi blocks .
SORRY ...
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Re: Stage V 440 to Hemi conversion heads
[Re: roadrunninMark]
#282653
04/11/09 07:44 AM
04/11/09 07:44 AM
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 12,383
Taxes & Virus's R-US, NY
Dragula
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For those unaware, these are not a super simple bolt on, they require some block work that has to be done right. The rotating assembly will be custom to, no kits currently available will fit them. The oiling system will almost have to be an external one, and you will need a bigger pan. The heads will hold a lot of oil up top, and it can drain a stock pan in a hurry.
Also, because your using a 440 block, its weaker because its not cross bolted. You might not think that's an issue until you bolt on heads that flow in the neighbor hood of 400cfm and the thing revs like a prostock engine. So now you have this big stroker kit in the block that revs like wicked in a less than appropriate block.....Thoughts to be considered when going down that path!
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Re: Stage V 440 to Hemi conversion heads
[Re: Mopar_Rich]
#282655
04/11/09 09:14 AM
04/11/09 09:14 AM
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 12,383
Taxes & Virus's R-US, NY
Dragula
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I Live Here
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Quote:
Eric sent me an email LAST NIGHT. He will have the castings in stock by next week. The rocker system is different, as I said, but he has those in stock now. I see no reason for a delay - at least not now. Here's his email to me:
Hello Rich:
The conversion head castings are supposed to arrive at our shop next week. We will run them through immediately. Rocker assemblies I already have.
Thanks
Eric
Rich,
Did you get any prices?
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Re: Stage V 440 to Hemi conversion heads
[Re: Dragula]
#282656
04/11/09 12:15 PM
04/11/09 12:15 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,402
Wichita,KS
Blakcharger440
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Wichita,KS
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Quote:
For those unaware, these are not a super simple bolt on, they require some block work that has to be done right. The rotating assembly will be custom to, no kits currently available will fit them. The oiling system will almost have to be an external one, and you will need a bigger pan. The heads will hold a lot of oil up top, and it can drain a stock pan in a hurry.
Also, because your using a 440 block, its weaker because its not cross bolted. You might not think that's an issue until you bolt on heads that flow in the neighbor hood of 400cfm and the thing revs like a prostock engine. So now you have this big stroker kit in the block that revs like wicked in a less than appropriate block.....Thoughts to be considered when going down that path!
Hmmmm...sounds like there are a few other things that i didnt think about when considering those heads.
Waaaay too much to change just to run those heads.
A person would be better off just buying a real Hemi block and regular Hemi heads since all those changes would need to be done. 
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Re: Stage V 440 to Hemi conversion heads
[Re: Blakcharger440]
#282657
04/12/09 11:12 AM
04/12/09 11:12 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 74,977
U.S.S.A.
JohnRR
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Quote:
Quote:
For those unaware, these are not a super simple bolt on, they require some block work that has to be done right. The rotating assembly will be custom to, no kits currently available will fit them. The oiling system will almost have to be an external one, and you will need a bigger pan. The heads will hold a lot of oil up top, and it can drain a stock pan in a hurry.
Also, because your using a 440 block, its weaker because its not cross bolted. You might not think that's an issue until you bolt on heads that flow in the neighbor hood of 400cfm and the thing revs like a prostock engine. So now you have this big stroker kit in the block that revs like wicked in a less than appropriate block.....Thoughts to be considered when going down that path!
Hmmmm...sounds like there are a few other things that i didnt think about when considering those heads.
Waaaay too much to change just to run those heads.
A person would be better off just buying a real Hemi block and regular Hemi heads since all those changes would need to be done.
WINNER ding ding ding ... WINNER ... ding ding ding ...
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Re: Stage V 440 to Hemi conversion heads
[Re: roadrunninMark]
#282658
04/12/09 01:31 PM
04/12/09 01:31 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,938
Sonora CA
Mopar_Rich
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Sonora CA
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Quote:
I would also like to know what the price of the kit is or who to email for more info.
Mark
I just got back from a race and Eric's email was there.
$2950 a set. But remember, you have to use the special Stage-V rocker system too. So that has to be added in.
(sorry no price on that yet)
As too the difficulty, there are a few issues but nothing outrageous. The problem was that there's no head gasket that will directly work. I took a stock Fel-Pro 1009 and cut and nicked it until everything cleared. You do have to grind the block for pushrod clearance, but it's not a big deal and I'm used to this with a Hemi. As to the mains, most of my customers that did this conversion were building street engines and were not going to race. Show - not go.
Randy brings up a good point with the oil drain back. That is an issue if the engine is kept higher in the RPM range. I think it was my second conversion customer that cruised his car with a 4.11 rear gear and he saw a drop in oil pressure at highway speeds because the pan was being pumped dry. He took care of it by changing the pan and running a thinner oil. If I ever do another one I'd drill out the drain back holes slightly, and paint the valley area with a gloss paint.
The exhaust on these heads are typical Hemi size, shape and bolt pattern. So normal Hemi header flanges are used if you fab a set of custom headers. Clearance around the wedge motor mounts and starter is always an issue, but both of the installations I saw used motor plates and they cut off the wedge flanges. It worked.
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Re: Stage V 440 to Hemi conversion heads
[Re: JohnRR]
#282659
04/12/09 01:35 PM
04/12/09 01:35 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,938
Sonora CA
Mopar_Rich
top fuel
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Sonora CA
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Quote:
But wait , in the other POST you said they were already available ???
By "available" Eric means that he's still making them! They are never just sitting on the shelf.
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Re: Stage V 440 to Hemi conversion heads
[Re: Mad_Scientist]
#282662
04/12/09 03:37 PM
04/12/09 03:37 PM
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 18,157
Mass
DAYCLONA
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Would I just be better off to buy a crate Hemi
In a realistic senario?....Yes, while the stage 5 coversion heads were"great" back in their initial release, because Hemi blocks,heads,...generaly Hemi anything was scarce, and expensive.....these heads filled a niche,.......unless you really want something different, there's alot of work ahead of you, and $$$$$ to mount these heads on an RB or B motor.......plus down the road, if you need parts, they might not be available, readily?
you can save the  up, and buy into a 426 crate for about $10K........or buy the peices as you can afford them from MP, or other Hemi suppliers, and build your own.........
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Re: Stage V 440 to Hemi conversion heads
[Re: Mopar_Rich]
#282663
04/15/09 04:47 PM
04/15/09 04:47 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 7,992
Escondido, CA. Ron Podsiadly,...
Mopar Ron
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Escondido, CA. Ron Podsiadly,...
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so is there a "KIT" price for everything??? There was a hot rod artical that had a price breakdown a few years ago but I cant find it now. I mean is it like $6K for everything except for pistons and intake? and is the stuff available?? Ron... and Dayclona where can someone get 426 crate for about $10K.. the cheapest I have seen lately is $12,900-$13,100 area do you have a connection  
Last edited by Mopar Ron; 04/15/09 04:55 PM.
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Re: Stage V 440 to Hemi conversion heads
[Re: JohnRR]
#282668
11/25/09 04:48 PM
11/25/09 04:48 PM
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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I JUST bought a set of these conversion heads from Eric at StageV came with rocker, shaft and stands, No valves or springs. Total package was $3990.00 SO YES these Heads ARE available!!!! SUPER Product!! And it doesnt take a BUNCH of machine work to the block. Most can be done at home with hand tools!! AND ONE MORE THING you can use stock A B or C body motor mounts, You have to grind the front 2 bosses off the block on the drivers and use the top back bolt boss, cut the motor mount as it interfers with the header pipe and weld a strap to the lower section of the motor mount that will bolt to the oilpump for the lower motor mount to hold firm in place, Hope this helps clear things up!!!!
Last edited by hemiroadrunner69; 11/25/09 04:58 PM.
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Re: Stage V 440 to Hemi conversion heads
[Re: JohnRR]
#282671
11/25/09 05:39 PM
11/25/09 05:39 PM
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 10,130
A Red State
SNK-EYZ
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Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
For those unaware, these are not a super simple bolt on, they require some block work that has to be done right. The rotating assembly will be custom to, no kits currently available will fit them. The oiling system will almost have to be an external one, and you will need a bigger pan. The heads will hold a lot of oil up top, and it can drain a stock pan in a hurry.
Also, because your using a 440 block, its weaker because its not cross bolted. You might not think that's an issue until you bolt on heads that flow in the neighbor hood of 400cfm and the thing revs like a prostock engine. So now you have this big stroker kit in the block that revs like wicked in a less than appropriate block.....Thoughts to be considered when going down that path!
Hmmmm...sounds like there are a few other things that i didnt think about when considering those heads.
Waaaay too much to change just to run those heads.
A person would be better off just buying a real Hemi block and regular Hemi heads since all those changes would need to be done.
WINNER ding ding ding ... WINNER ... ding ding ding ...
 It would be way easier to start with a Hemi block.
From what I understood from the original post he was hoping to bolt the Stage V Hemi heads onto an already built wedge short block.
That would never work, wrong pistons.
Starting from scratch with a Hemi block would be far simpler.
Kayse can't keep up at all now. lol
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Re: Stage V 440 to Hemi conversion heads
[Re: Mad_Scientist]
#282672
11/25/09 07:59 PM
11/25/09 07:59 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 74,977
U.S.S.A.
JohnRR
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Quote:
How many people have these heads and what did you have to do to your block to make them fit? Is it feasible to make the modifications to an assembled short block, or are we talking major machine work? How was the pricing? Would I just be better off to buy a crate Hemi?
Current setup is a mild 440 that is set up for street use, but I really want a Hemi instead.
Stage V
I missed that the first time around , no it's not fesible to to the machine work to an assembled shortblock and what do you mean by ASSEMBLED , you already have a set of HEMI pistons in it or where you thinking you could put these on a 440 type build short block ? definitely NOT , with a flat top piston if you even had 7.0 compression I'd be surprised . Hemi combustion chamber runs about 170cc, never mind the valves would probably hit the pistons because the valve reliefs aren't anywhere where they need to be ...
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Re: Stage V 440 to Hemi conversion heads
[Re: CRE2004]
#282678
11/26/09 11:30 AM
11/26/09 11:30 AM
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Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,954
Blairsden, CA
Triggerfish
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Blairsden, CA
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Quote:
I've always thought a low deck, short stroke hemi with a long rod and a light piston would be fun to build with a big set of twins hanging off the front of it. 
I thought of a 472 or 451 hemi-headed low deck for my 68 Formula S, but the intake & headers were the limiting factors. The 400's a strong block & w/a stud girdle & aftermarket caps, should be able to take mucho power. Would probably save 50 lbs or so over the 440 block. I remember Eric sent me an email last yr & w/ rocker gear, I think the bill was slightly over $5K.
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Re: Stage V 440 to Hemi conversion heads
[Re: Cab_Burge]
#282679
11/26/09 11:33 AM
11/26/09 11:33 AM
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Well considering a new world block is $3500.00 VS a used 440 block for $100.00 (which is good to 800 HP) without 4bolt mains You are already $3400.00 ahead. Real hemi heads (bare) with rocker assemblies are $3500.00 bare minimum. for a total of $7000.00 for a real hemi. for $4100.00 You can have a 440 with hemi heads. And about pistons, You can get ROSS ARIAS or JE in 4.350 which is .100 over 426 off the shelf piston. Total cost of a 440 wedge conversion is about $8000.00 HALF of what a real hemi crate motor is. The 440 ends up a 446 cu in. without stroking it and will make WAY more HP the a crate hemi. For those who are curious, go to "Converting a Wedge into A Hemi" on google or yahoo. This explains all the block work that is needed. Nothing major, most can be done at home with hand tools.
Last edited by hemiroadrunner69; 11/26/09 11:43 AM.
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Re: Stage V 440 to Hemi conversion heads
[Re: 451Mopar]
#282680
11/26/09 11:43 AM
11/26/09 11:43 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 74,977
U.S.S.A.
JohnRR
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I Win
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Quote:
I talked to them about 15 years ago, considering the conversion also, but is was expensive I think over $5K, and I thought you had to drill and tap the head bolt holes for 1/2" bolts? I also think they required external oil return lines to the oil pan?
I remember reading about it so I'm trying to figure out how the price went down for these ???
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over 200 miles between the two locations.
