Getting 400 HP From A Smogger 440

I have a very good running 78 440 in my pickup. Can I get 400 hp or close without swapping pistons? I know compression is low. What can I do that will improve performance? I have headers on it now. I also have a Performer RPM intake with a 750 Holley to put on it. Right now I'm running 516 heads that have larger exhaust valves in them. I do have a set of fresh 346 and 452 heads on the shelf. Cam choices? Current set up now is an automatic, 3:23 gears, and I'm running 26.5 in tall tires.

turbo, plenty of room in a pickup

blower, several kits

http://www.torqstorm.com/kits_single_big-block-mopar.html

http://www.torqstorm.com/kits_single_big-block-mopar.html

Edelbrock E-street heads, 0.020" head gasket, mild cam around 220+ duration @ 0.050, >0.470" lift.

Have you seen this article from FABO...
https://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/threads/dyno-a-7-5-1-400-sure-why-not.293381/

If they can get 400 hp from a low-compression 400 that easily, you can certainly do it with 10% more cubes

How about 449HP and 472 tq from a smogger..... read this

https://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/threads/dyno-testing-a-stock-1972-440.249866/

I would try and sell both sets of your other iron heads and use that money to buy a set of the 440 source 80.CC aluminum heads that will out flow your heads and raise the compression more also

The super charger kits will certainly get you to 400+ HP. But they are $2,800 plus a blow-thru carb. And even that doesn't include any costs associated with the ignition curve or meth injection. So, it could easily get to $4,000. Or close to.

New aluminum heads and a cam kit would seem to be the logical choice when it comes to bang for the buck.

If you're really trying to keep this low buck (as in no new heads), then camshaft, mill and port the heads and intake a bit, and you should be there.

I posted this above because we were going to go this route with Dans '77 440 before we found the cast crank was > 0.004" clearance and the journals were gouged pretty good. Decided to just go stroker kit. Alot more $$$$, but alot more power too.

I stuck some Edelbrock heads and a .660 roller in a "smogger" 400 and I love it! Runs real good!

cheaper to change the pistons

Cheaper than what?

I agree. Read the article. Crazy

I was very impressed with the article and the numbers they pulled from the low compression engine. I have a set of 516 heads with big valves in them and was wondering if the MP porting templates are still available? My porting won't be on par with theirs, but I would love to try and duplicate that engine, only using the larger of the Summit cams and a Performer RPM intake instead of the 509 and single plane intake. As an after thought, I have a set of 906 heads set up with Crane springs. I don't think I will give up much compression using them with .020 gaskets. Perhaps with minimal port work they would be a better alternative?

The 906’s would be better.

IMO, there are better choices for what you’re doing than the summit cam.

Something like a Comp xe268, xe274, PP280, 280h.

I don't think so, but I got them and they are not worthly. Is just about use the logic making the work... I'm posting them if you want ( with an scale to print them correctly )

( I don't know where I left my templates... they must be... somewhere around! I can't tell )

More complete porting templates, had to zip it to get it under the 2MB limit.

Includes B/RB/LA/Magnum templates.

Not mine and I forget where I got it from.

Try this one, it should work now.

great!!! but is not working LOL. It seems there is some damage to the PDF file trying to extract it.

Or maybe some ZIP problem trying to extract it with Winrar?

Interesting, I can extract the zip file I made, but not the one I downloaded from Moparts, should be the same. Odd.

That's been done a time or two. Here's a circa 1979/1980 package. You won't have any problems, but if you do chase compression much at all you'll find it really wakes it up.

specially the chrome timing chain cover! LOL

The chrome ones were thicker/heavier allowing for a cam button.

Cam button??

On the recommended single bolt .484 cam?

I suggested the Summit cam because I have one on hand with matching springs. Summit says they should be used with 9.5 compression, but the 509 cam runs good at the low compression? lol This engine is going in a pickup I use to chase parts in. Just wanted to wake it up a little.

Stock ones are plenty thick enough to use with a nylon cam button on a roller. It's what I use.

I've seen the buttons leave a mark and remove metal from the stock steel covers, both on chrome and Mopar OEM covers
I think the key is how much camshaft end play do you have to the cover

I was joking about the timing cover just because won't add any power to the engine LOL... if its better for some specific setup, that's a diff deal

You're overlooking the 5lb weight savings of the $150 water pump housing, and it's significant contribution to the package Also, the solid core plug wires were important to mess up everyone's radio signal

Back in the day I skipped the fluff and did a slightly better fuel system instead, but not knowing what was out there I just went with the Carter 4594....

13.0 first time out, and that same day....12.94.

I will never forget that.

The old parts packages might not be relevant anymore, there are ways to do the same thing and be more street friendly, or spend more and get more, but they are....what they are. A place to start. Try it and see what you think.

Without a place to start and some kind of direction, it's all just a gearhead dream. The goal is to turn dreams into reality somehow.

Have a nice holiday all.