Posted By: Anonymous
new guy needs advice on cylinder head choic for 440 - 09/27/08 09:21 PM
Hi guys, i'm a new member here because i just bought my first muscle car: a 1971 challenger RT which was a 383 car, but now has a mild 1972 440 in it. The car has been sitting for 10 years, but i got it to flash up for a few seconds. My eventual plans for this car are to have it make around 500 hp and 500 ftlb if i could. I want to do it on a budget though, because i'm fairly young and i don't have a lot of extra money. I've been doing some reading about the 440 source heads and the edelbrok performer heads. I just found a new set of Edelbrok Victor 440 heads model 77919 heads for a deal. The seller is asking $1400 Canadian for them. Parts here in Canada are quite a bit more than in the US. Do you think i should jump on these, or should i go another route for a budget build?
Posted By: 1_WILD_RT
Re: new guy needs advice on cylinder head choic for 440 - 09/27/08 09:31 PM
500 HP won't require the Victor heads & by the time you have the required rockers & other special parts they won't seem quite the bargin...I have Eddy RPM's & if the 440 Source heads had been avalible at the time thats what I would have bought as visually they look much closer to stock so the sleeper effect can be pulled off to some extent...
BTW Welcome to Moparts!!!
Posted By: 451Mopar
Re: new guy needs advice on cylinder head choic for 440 - 09/28/08 01:17 AM
The 440 Source Stealth heads ot the Edelbrock RPM heads will make 500+ HP and will accept stock intake, rocker gear, etc. The Edelbrock RPM heads do have angled spark plugs which interfear with some manifolds and headers, where the stealth heads have the spark plugs in the stock location.
The Victor heads flow really well and can make 600+ HP, but require special rocker arms that cost between $600-$1200 depending on which ones you buy. Also the heads do not come with valve springs, locks or spring seats which will add several more $$$. Plus they take a special valley tray that is about $50.
Anyhow, if you want to make alot of power get the Victors, but if you only need around 500 HP it will cost less to use the Stealth or RPM heads.
Posted By: Anonymous
Re: new guy needs advice on cylinder head choic for 440 - 09/28/08 07:35 PM
Thanks guys. I guess the 440 stealth heads are the best bargain head buy right now, so i think i'll look at those. I think i'd be happy with 500 ft lb. in my challenger since i've never driven it before. Like i said, i'm looking for the best bang for the $, so thanks for the heads up.
Posted By: topside
Re: new guy needs advice on cylinder head choic for 440 - 09/29/08 01:01 AM
I think the 440source heads are $899/pair. Pretty hard to beat. Plus they look more OEM than the Eddy heads. For what it's worth, my Eddy's didn't flow the advertised #s out of the box, but did respond quite well to porting & cleanup.
Posted By: ryan053
Re: new guy needs advice on cylinder head choic for 440 - 09/29/08 07:18 AM
With the 440 source heads you would want to replace the retainers and locks. that will add an extra cost to the total also. I bought the edelbrocks as opposed to the stealths.
Posted By: 69sixpackbee
Re: new guy needs advice on cylinder head choic for 440 - 09/29/08 07:23 PM
Also, if you plan on using 1.6 rockers with 3/8" diameter pushrods (like I did) plan on doing some hogging-out of the adjacent intake runners to clear them. I have these stealths on my 446, .509 cammed, 10.8:1 CR (shaved .065" and using Cometic .027" x 4.6" diameter gaskets) and all the stock internals in my A-12 Super Bee and I am pushing a solid 500+ with my combo.
These heads were a good deal!
Posted By: Canucklehead
Re: new guy needs advice on cylinder head choic for 440 - 09/29/08 08:35 PM
Rossco, if you need a western Canadian dealer for the 440 Source stuff, The Block Shop here in Edmonton sells it. At out local show they had the Stealth heads for an even $1000/pair, take them home. They are definitely in my plans.
well said.