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A body: BB v SB
#762259
07/31/10 06:50 PM
07/31/10 06:50 PM
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 141
Ohio, USA
Donny
OP
member
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OP
member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 141
Ohio, USA
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My dilemma: New proud owner of 69 Dart (with 318) & I want this to be a street/strip car, mostly street but when/if I go to track (maybe half dozen times a summer) would like it to be a mid 11 to low 11 car, but we all now how that changes....
BTW this is not a #s matching car, so mods and slight cut up is no problem.
I have a mildly done 440, .509, M1, stock bottom end, nice set of cast iron heads (done by Nick) IIRC currently a 9:1 motor that I would like to bump up the compression on and maybe go up a notch or two in cams (this 440 powered a 3850lb 69 B body to 12.50's on street tires and very average suspension at best).
Question is what would be the better approach with my goal as stated above, continue improving on the 440 I already own (how much $ and upgrades I would need not sure) or build up a SB (maybe something like a new 360 stroker etc....).
Looking for opinions on the pros v cons, I'm sure some consider this one of those never ending debates. Weight, money, fit etc...
Fire away.
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Re: A body: BB v SB
[Re: Jim_Lusk]
#762261
07/31/10 07:36 PM
07/31/10 07:36 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,482
Lake Orion, MI
goldduster318
pro stock
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pro stock
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,482
Lake Orion, MI
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If you like power steering or changing your spark plugs you'll want to stay small block. The extra torque is not really needed either.
I have a small block with power steering & TTI headers and even its a tight fit. Otherwise its very easy to work on. My car runs very well with even a mild smallblock.
'70 Duster 470hp 340/T56 Magnum/8 3/4 3.23 Sure-Grip
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Re: A body: BB v SB
[Re: joewhite440]
#762264
07/31/10 08:46 PM
07/31/10 08:46 PM
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 5,221
Branson, Mo.
joedust451
super gas
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super gas
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 5,221
Branson, Mo.
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Like said, you already have the BB, if it ran 12.5s in the B body, it should easily run high 11s in the A body as it sits, The .509 is a good cam once tuned currectly, they like at least a true 9.7.1 or better compression, at least 3.91s & a converter thats around 36-3800, there are better cams out there, but you can run 10s with that one. With a few changes & tuneing, with sticky tires you should see mid 11s is not better fairly easy in the Duster.
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Re: A body: BB v SB
[Re: joedust451]
#762267
07/31/10 08:56 PM
07/31/10 08:56 PM
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 141
Ohio, USA
Donny
OP
member
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OP
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 141
Ohio, USA
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Quote:
Like said, you already have the BB, if it ran 12.5s in the B body, it should easily run high 11s in the A body as it sits, The .509 is a good cam once tuned currectly, they like at least a true 9.7.1 or better compression, at least 3.91s & a converter thats around 36-3800, there are better cams out there, but you can run 10s with that one. With a few changes & tuneing, with sticky tires you should see mid 11s is not better fairly easy in the Duster.
The one thing about my 440 is that it's a low compression motor right now, bumping that up to 10 could do wonders itself I suppose. Did have a very low stall in the B body, but did run it with 4.10s (the gears of which I still own).
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Re: A body: BB v SB
[Re: Jim_Lusk]
#762270
07/31/10 09:42 PM
07/31/10 09:42 PM
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Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 184
Vernon Ct.
bp27
member
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member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 184
Vernon Ct.
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Quote:
I'd drop it in as is and baseline it. The motor is likely plenty for what you want. The rest will come from suspension and launch techniques.
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Re: A body: BB v SB
[Re: ahy]
#762272
07/31/10 11:36 PM
07/31/10 11:36 PM
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 141
Ohio, USA
Donny
OP
member
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OP
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 141
Ohio, USA
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Quote:
A different perspective... a mild low compression BB in an A body is the worst of both worlds. Heavy on the front with less power than a decent SB stroker.
I think your setup would do really do well with a SB stroker. Start with a JY 5.9 Magnum core, add a 4" crank kit, add RHS iron or Elelbrock aluminum heads and you would have a pretty easy 400 - 500 HP depending on how "streetable" you want it and budget.
The only response I have to that is I am fairly confident my current 440 set up is real close to 500hp, thanks for the added perspective though.
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Re: A body: BB v SB
[Re: Jim_Lusk]
#762275
08/01/10 01:44 AM
08/01/10 01:44 AM
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 5,221
Branson, Mo.
joedust451
super gas
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super gas
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 5,221
Branson, Mo.
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Quote:
the old myth about big block A-bodies and poor handling has been put to rest a long time ago.
So true!
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Re: A body: BB v SB
[Re: Jim_Lusk]
#762276
08/01/10 01:49 AM
08/01/10 01:49 AM
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 4,884
Michigan
MNobody
master
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master
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 4,884
Michigan
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Personaly i'd do the 360 stroker, that's my plans for my 68 Dart. You have a trans for a smallblock how about that BB? I've seen SB stroker kit's as low as $1100 for a 500hp max kit. Also exta weight is extra weight if you go BB regardless of handling. My Dart has a 318 in it with 10:1 comp,750 Holley, Weiand intake, 2.02 360 J heads, .528 solid cam, msd ign, 4200 stall in 727 w/reverse manual VB, 3:91 SG. She rev's to 6800 and moves the Dart right along nicely, the 408 should be a blast. 
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Re: A body: BB v SB
[Re: Donny]
#762277
08/01/10 01:52 AM
08/01/10 01:52 AM
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 5,221
Branson, Mo.
joedust451
super gas
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super gas
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 5,221
Branson, Mo.
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Quote:
Quote:
The only response I have to that is I am fairly confident my current 440 set up is real close to 500hp, thanks for the added perspective though.
With a responce like this then, why are you 2nd. guessing yourself, he was just giving you some input on what you were asking 
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Re: A body: BB v SB
[Re: Donny]
#762278
08/01/10 04:51 AM
08/01/10 04:51 AM
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 4,884
Michigan
MNobody
master
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master
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 4,884
Michigan
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Quote:
Quote:
A different perspective... a mild low compression BB in an A body is the worst of both worlds. Heavy on the front with less power than a decent SB stroker.
I think your setup would do really do well with a SB stroker. Start with a JY 5.9 Magnum core, add a 4" crank kit, add RHS iron or Elelbrock aluminum heads and you would have a pretty easy 400 - 500 HP depending on how "streetable" you want it and budget.
The only response I have to that is I am fairly confident my current 440 set up is real close to 500hp, thanks for the added perspective though.
500hp from a 9:1 motor?
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