cam swap for 440, which one?

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Since the factory HP 440 was 375 horses, it seems like the bigger cam, ported heads, headers and intake would be worth more than jut 12 hp extra.

What compression are you running?

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So i got my 440 dynoed, its a fairley stock build, 915's port and polished, stock bore, holley intake, headers, dui ignition, 750 holley, 3:55's sure grip, 2500 stall. Engine put out 387hp 420ft lbs torque. The cam is my question. I used a Comp 280H Magnum. I'm wondering if ii should have went with a Extreme energy with a little more lift. I really wanted to break 400hp at least. Any suggestions?

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I'm always curious on the desire to achieve a hp number on a dyno. If the dyno operator twisted a knob on the dyno and it spit out a 401 peak hp, would you be happy? Would you rather have a 13.20 et time slip and a 401 hp dyno sheet over a 12.50 et time slip and a 387 dyno sheet? Dynos and flow benches are tools. They don't tell you if your car is fast, or faster than anyone else, or fast enough.

Sure, you can put a faster rate lobe camshaft in your engine and pick up some average power, maybe peak too. But instead, consider going to the track and tuning, adjusting and making changes that make the car faster. If you do this, you'll probably end up with the fastest, 387 hp car at the track (within reasonable weight limits), and will likely be faster than some guys that have a 400 hp dyno sheet. I see this happen frequently. Finally, if you do this, then you can change your cam with a meaningful goal like wanting to put .2 and 2 mph in the car.

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Still.. the numbers are disappointing. For a mild built 440 to not even make 400 horses is sad.

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I know my compression is low, its a 78 block w/ flattop pistons, all factory. I kick myself for not zero decking the block , or changing rods and pistons, but this is my first engine build and i'm on a tight budget so s did what i could. I didn't skim on parts, i just didn't realize the importance of quench.

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when i bought the new yorker that had the motor in it, someone had put them on the motor before. I had them checked milled, did a valve job, hardened seats, and comp springs, I did the porting myself. All in all i got about $500 in them. My buddy owns a machine shop, he does great work, so i trust the heads. Im thinking its my deck height that's killing me.

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So i got my 440 dynoed, its a fairley stock build, 915's port and polished, stock bore, holley intake, headers, dui ignition, 750 holley, 3:55's sure grip, 2500 stall. Engine put out 387hp 420ft lbs torque. The cam is my question. I used a Comp 280H Magnum. I'm wondering if ii should have went with a Extreme energy with a little more lift. I really wanted to break 400hp at least. Any suggestions?

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I'm always curious on the desire to achieve a hp number on a dyno. If the dyno operator twisted a knob on the dyno and it spit out a 401 peak hp, would you be happy? Would you rather have a 13.20 et time slip and a 401 hp dyno sheet over a 12.50 et time slip and a 387 dyno sheet? Dynos and flow benches are tools. They don't tell you if your car is fast, or faster than anyone else, or fast enough.

Sure, you can put a faster rate lobe camshaft in your engine and pick up some average power, maybe peak too. But instead, consider going to the track and tuning, adjusting and making changes that make the car faster. If you do this, you'll probably end up with the fastest, 387 hp car at the track (within reasonable weight limits), and will likely be faster than some guys that have a 400 hp dyno sheet. I see this happen frequently. Finally, if you do this, then you can change your cam with a meaningful goal like wanting to put .2 and 2 mph in the car.

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I do agree with that. Just today I was asked why I have never put my car on a dyno ? I know what my car runs and I dont care if it does it with 500 flywheel hp or 450 hp. Plus I grew up in the 60's and 70's when there was no dyno's around that the local racers had use to. We just did the old race track dyno..........if you make a change and it goes faster leave it on. I would do as suggested and put it together and drive it so you can see how it runs in the car. Good luck , Ron