Moparts

How Does This 440 Build Sound?

Posted By: bordin34

How Does This 440 Build Sound? - 05/19/10 07:26 PM

I will be building my 440 soon and am in the process of finding and buying parts for it. So how does this sound, I am looking to make a little over 400hp.
What I have
-1976 Block .030" over
-Cast Crank .010" Under
-LY Rods
-Sealed power Cast 350P Pistons with a 1.990" comp. height, sold as 9.4:1
-Performer RPM intake
-HV oil pump
-Carter Fuel Pump
-Stock Rockers
What I plan to buy
-440 Source Heads
-ARP Main Bolts
-VooDoo 60303 Cam
-850cfm Holley Carb
-Maybe a steel shim head gasket to get slightly higher compression?
So how does this sound, should I be able to get over 400hp with this? Any advice?
Thanks
Posted By: DusterKrazy

Re: How Does This 440 Build Sound? - 05/19/10 09:02 PM

Sounds like a nice torque monster of a build, but are you staying with manifolds or going to headers?

I think you could get by a 750 or 800 cfm carb though, just my

Whats gears are in the rear? Stall converter or stock??
Posted By: bordin34

Re: How Does This 440 Build Sound? - 05/19/10 09:11 PM

It will have headers and a 2.5" exhaust. Currently I have an 8-1/4" with 2.45 gear. When that blows I will probably go to 3.23 or 3.55. The converter is stock and I will probably replace that and rebuild the trans when the rear blows.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: How Does This 440 Build Sound? - 05/19/10 09:26 PM

We build dozens like that but . consider stock heads for econo..use the cheapo Summit cam the 465 488 lift it is a BEAUTIFUL street cam and makes tons of torque --sounds bigger than it is and at $62 hard to beat--it will work good with those pistons and CR--we use the KB237 that gives more compression so you have to get your distributor curved JUST right and run premium pump swill--stock rockers are cool and trouble free--get NEW ones from Mopar Perf ( Marsh usually has some ) --a stock intake if you have one is great with that combo and will save some $$ and the hood will still close with any air cleaner--the Holley fuel pump is hard to beat --the Carters usually let the spring and lever pin fall into your oilpan before your first oil change-they USED to be good but now they %$#@! No need for a HV pump at all on that combo---750 Holley Vacuum or the Eddy Thunder series 800 is GREAT! It has 1 3/4 blades like everything else--the 800 is a WAG on their part--it is NOT too much for a mild 440 and they are cool right out of the box STAY AWAY from the Eddy 750's they %&#@ also! That thing will smoke tires and make over 400 HP easy as pie!! If you go with the Stealth heads a little bigger cam is fine and you will be amazed at the power for a streeter---my vote is 3.23's Ma Mopar put them in about...well near all of the big blocks because it is such a good combo--3.23 and you will drive and enjoy it more--3.55's and you will drive it less miles per year and you can always Bulb the other guy the diff the gear makes --right? Too many folks want a zillion HP on paper before they build--forget that --do a econo build and have a FUN cheap driver that will still MELT tires and with that extra $$ in your jeans you will be a happy camper in the long run--too many dragsters out there and not enough DRIVERS IMO-- Good luck!
Posted By: bordin34

Re: How Does This 440 Build Sound? - 05/19/10 10:04 PM

Thanks, it came with the HV oil pump and the Carter fuel pump came with my car when I bought it three years ago. I might run my 670cfm street avenger on it for awhile until I save up for a 750. I also plan on taking the rockers and shafts off my 400 that is currently in my car.
Posted By: Bunk

Re: How Does This 440 Build Sound? - 05/20/10 01:44 AM

Everything looks fine except for those el cheapo pistons with the low compression. You need to get up around 10.0 to 1 to make that 440 really run. Trust me on this one because I've had those exact same pistons and I burnt two of them with a little excessive timing. Again, the compression provided by these pistons and the low quality cast is not for the performance orientated build up.
Posted By: Viol8r

Re: How Does This 440 Build Sound? - 05/20/10 04:23 AM

Shoot for 10.5:1 or even 11:1 with those alumimun heads. They can handle more compression because they absord more heat.

I run 11:1 with a similar combo on pump gas. A TRW .140 dome piston and #60304 voodoo cam. Its a monster with a 2800 stall, 3.23 gears and a built 750dp. Run around 34 or 35 total timing.
Posted By: DaytonaTurbo

Re: How Does This 440 Build Sound? - 05/20/10 04:46 AM

Scrap those cast pistons and get yourself a set of KB237's and spring the $ for having your assy balanced and deck the block so the pistons are sitting at exactly zero deck so you can build for quench and have a bit more resistance to detonation.

I ran the 60303 with stealth heads, stock mid 70's low compression pistons and stock rockers/pushrods. Some claim the mid 70's rockers to be the same as the HD ones MP sells not the junkers the 60's motors came with. It actually ran quite well for what it was. The 60303 drives very tame on the street. Daily driveability was no worse than when I had the stock cam/heads on it in terms of idle quality, smoothness and throttle response. If I was doing it again, I would do the same but do the KB237's and mill the stealth heads a little to get up to the 11:1 compression mark and run the 60304 cam like old nasty is doing. I figure if the 60303 runs decent in my 7.8 compression 440, the 60304 should run awesome in a 10.5-11 compression 440.
Posted By: rss

Re: How Does This 440 Build Sound? - 05/20/10 05:59 AM

Quote:

The 60303 drives very tame on the street. Daily driveability was no worse than when I had the stock cam/heads on it in terms of idle quality, smoothness and throttle response.




What kind of vacuum do you have running the 60303?
Posted By: Mr.Yuck

Re: How Does This 440 Build Sound? - 05/20/10 11:15 AM

I ran 12.90's in a 67 coronet with a 9:1 440 and the summit 488 cam. Good cam and cheap. your build sounds good. I'd get some gears at least 3.55's. A holley 750DP will work too. Buy one used and rebuild it. They are super easy to work on but run like a MoFo when you're done tuning.
Posted By: Chilort

Re: How Does This 440 Build Sound? - 05/20/10 02:35 PM

Quote:


What kind of vacuum do you have running the 60303?




I'm running around 9.2:1 compression with Eddy heads and a 60303. I have my initial set around 18* to get the best idle vacuum. In gear I get about 10inhg and in park I get around 12inhg. As soon as I get out cruising it the vacuum actually goes up.
Posted By: bordin34

Re: How Does This 440 Build Sound? - 05/20/10 07:10 PM

Thanks for the advice.
I am most likely keeping the pistons, new ones aren't in my budget. I bought the block,crank, pistons, and rods already machined for $300 so I am trying to do this whole build on a budget. To raise the CR I think I am going to run the steel shim head gasket. The car will see the track maybe once a year.
Is there any good literature on assembling big-blocks out there?
Posted By: rss

Re: How Does This 440 Build Sound? - 05/20/10 07:33 PM

I have this one by Don Taylor that seems pretty good.


http://www.amazon.com/Big-block-mopar-engines-Don-Taylor/dp/1557881901
Posted By: Silver70

Re: How Does This 440 Build Sound? - 05/21/10 12:00 AM

Quote:

Thanks for the advice.
I am most likely keeping the pistons, new ones aren't in my budget. I bought the block,crank, pistons, and rods already machined for $300 so I am trying to do this whole build on a budget. To raise the CR I think I am going to run the steel shim head gasket. The car will see the track maybe once a year.
Is there any good literature on assembling big-blocks out there?




I'd reconmend just asking here as you can get any question you would need answered and explianed more if needed.
Posted By: Chris2581

Re: How Does This 440 Build Sound? - 05/21/10 12:27 AM

The pistons will be fine.I used cast pistons in a few engines with no problems.My last 440 had cast pistons and ran 11.30's all day long.

If you go with the aluminum heads,you cannot use the steel shim head gasket.Use the Fel Pro gasket instead.
Posted By: DaytonaTurbo

Re: How Does This 440 Build Sound? - 05/21/10 04:23 AM

Quote:

Thanks for the advice.
I am most likely keeping the pistons, new ones aren't in my budget. I bought the block,crank, pistons, and rods already machined for $300 so I am trying to do this whole build on a budget. To raise the CR I think I am going to run the steel shim head gasket. The car will see the track maybe once a year.
Is there any good literature on assembling big-blocks out there?




Then in that case, run the 60303. You will be very happy with it.

Quote:

Quote:

The 60303 drives very tame on the street. Daily driveability was no worse than when I had the stock cam/heads on it in terms of idle quality, smoothness and throttle response.




What kind of vacuum do you have running the 60303?




At idle in gear it's around 10" or so, at a 2000rpm cruise it's up to around 18 or so, decel is more like 25.
Posted By: bordin34

Re: How Does This 440 Build Sound? - 05/21/10 10:05 PM

Thanks guy, the motor just needs new cam bearings put in then I will begin the build.
I can't use the steel shim gasket because of dissimilar metals. Is this correct?
Posted By: Chris2581

Re: How Does This 440 Build Sound? - 05/22/10 02:44 AM

Expansion rates are different between the two metals.Use the regular Fel Pro PT 8519 and it will be fine.

Factory uses a MLS type of gasket because of the same deal.
Posted By: DaytonaTurbo

Re: How Does This 440 Build Sound? - 05/22/10 04:02 AM

Several guys on here have reported success using the steel shim gasket with aluminum heads, if you give the gasket a good coating of permatex copper spray.
Posted By: bordin34

Re: How Does This 440 Build Sound? - 05/22/10 02:13 PM

Thanks, I think I'll stick with a normal head gasket for now.
Does anybody know if the stock Stealth springs will work with the 60303 cam?
Posted By: Chris2581

Re: How Does This 440 Build Sound? - 05/22/10 05:45 PM

They should work fine.
Posted By: DaytonaTurbo

Re: How Does This 440 Build Sound? - 05/23/10 01:27 AM

Quote:

Thanks, I think I'll stick with a normal head gasket for now.
Does anybody know if the stock Stealth springs will work with the 60303 cam?




I run the 60303 with stock stealth head springs. No problems.
Posted By: Dakota542

Re: How Does This 440 Build Sound? - 05/23/10 04:08 AM

If the budget is tight, consider building a really good short block (with good pistons and rings). You can always run a stock cast head until more money allows for aluminum.
Heads are easy to change - pistons not so much.
Posted By: gch

Re: How Does This 440 Build Sound? - 05/23/10 01:42 PM

Rather than gamble on the steel shim head gasket with alum heads I would have the heads milled(intake side as well)to get the compression up some and run a good composition gasket.
The 750 vacuum secondary gets my vote as you have a heavy car.You could mill the choke horn for a few extra cfm if need be.
3.23 gears and an 11" converter will smoke the hides at will and cruise effortlessly.
I had a 73 charger for 10 years and it was way more fun driving it everywhere when it ran low 13's than it was with a built motor,big stall and 4.10 gears.12.0 is fun but the constant rpm buzz,terrible mileage,and loud everything made it into a weekend short trip car.
Posted By: bordin34

Re: How Does This 440 Build Sound? - 06/03/10 01:51 AM

Thanks
I have a question about bearings. I have a '76 block with the larger thrust bearing cut-out thing. I ordered the bearings and noticed that the ones I bought came with the earlier style thrust bearing. Would it be worth it to order a set with the later style bearing or even swap in the thrust bearing from when the engine was assembled before but never run that is from a different company?
Posted By: 440challenger

Re: How Does This 440 Build Sound? - 06/03/10 01:56 AM

that summit 488 cam is great . I have it in my smogger 440 and the car pulls HARD for a super mild low compression motor
Posted By: Stanton

Re: How Does This 440 Build Sound? - 06/03/10 02:07 AM

Quote:

I have a question about bearings. I have a '76 block with the larger thrust bearing cut-out thing. I ordered the bearings and noticed that the ones I bought came with the earlier style thrust bearing. Would it be worth it to order a set with the later style bearing or even swap in the thrust bearing from when the engine was assembled before but never run that is from a different company




There are hundreds of thousands of engines out there using the "old" style bearing. Don't waste the time or effort to get the new style.
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