NEED STROKER ADVISE

Need some advise on cylinder heads for my next engine build. The car is a 68 Charger, auto, 3:54 rear. I've been working on the car for about a year upgrading it to handle the more powerful engine. Chassis, brakes, cooling, rear, suspension, is complete and drivetrain is next. Transmission will be from Cope. Converter wont be picked until engine is run on he dyno. Engine will be 400 block with 440 source stroker kit. Final cubic inch should be about 512. A couple of things about the car: not a race car, 100% street. It will not hook up. I'm unwilling to cut the car for the appropriate suspension to make it hook up. Everything has to fit under the stock hood. That will restrict intake and I'm good with that. Finally, torque is more important than HP. Big engine is bragging rights and for fun. So that being said, Trick flow is at the top of the list. Which head would work better for this application: 240 or 270? Cam will be hydraulic roller. Secondly, knowing that this engine will make more useable power than really needed, would it better to go the Eddy heads? I have a 496 with Eddy heads (with some work done to them) and it's a hell of a fun car to drive. The engine will be professionally built and all necessary upgrades complied with. Is there another option? Finally, I don't mind paying more for better parts. Your thoughts?
Frank

I have a 400/470 with E-heads in a E-body. If I was ever to build a bigger motor, I would use the TF240 heads. Those will give you room to grow if you ever change your mind about what you want out of the car, but still work quite well on the street with your CI. The right cam and intake will make a street torque monster. Call around for advise on the cam, and then pick the intake that works best. I don't know enough about Chargers to tell you which intake will fit under the stock hood.

Trickflow Powerport 240 heads
Howards .545 Hydraulic roller
HOLLEY Street Dominator intake
Cal-trac setup with adjustable shocks
Mickey Thompson ET Street Pro's

How is the ride with the Cal Tracs? That was on the list but I figured just go stock with a snubber. Have a SD on my 496 and hood just barely closes but that's a 440 block n96 car

However you want it to be.

The ride is more dependent upon the shocks and springs you have. I have mine set to where there's about a nickel width between the pivot and the spring. Some people add preload. My family rides in it and never has an issue.

Head choice for a street car should take into account the exhaust system. If you are going to run headers then make sure you can find a set that works with the angle plugs. If you are going to use manifolds then you probably want to run a straight plug head.

I think the 240 head is the best choice for your engine if you can find a header that fits properly. You might be able to fit a 383 Performer RPM under the hood but you'll just have to check it.

Another way to go would be EFI. A throttle body is shorter than a carb so that might help with hood clearance. Also, the engine will run better with EFI and it will last longer.

Exhaust will be TTI 3 inch with TTI 1 7/8 headers

TTI part# 383-178 has a couple foot notes under their product ID section.
It doesn't list T/F heads. I don't know what the diff. is between those and EZ's??? Also, one note says built for angled plug clearance.

1350 joints, u-bolts instead of bolts and straps for the rear yoke and good screw in studs for the rear axles are all going to be necessary if you have sticky tires and abuse it often. Trust me on this...

You said 3.54 gears so I'm assuming Dana 60?

512ci sitting in a bone stock E-body, 3860 with driver. This is my weekend cruiser that see a track once or twice a year. Beating on it for two summers since I built it, old school and simple.

4.25 x 4.375. B-block
TF 240 OOTB. 802-COO
10.4:1
Holley 850 DP (4781)
Holley SD intake with 1" open spacer
MP .528 with 1.6 rockers
6 Quarter "Hemi pan"
MP Dist 18°/36°
Carter mech fuel pump with 3/8" original fuel line
TTI 1 7/8 headers with full 3" exhaust

Not a -68 B-body but a 14" aircleaner with 4" filter fits under the hood on my E-Body. Im very satisfied with my TF 240 heads, engine is very snappy and fun to drive on the street.

For headers, 1 7/8" TTI's were listed for the RPM heads I run in an E and fit as advertised. I told TTI I would be running Ed heads and I believe they put some small reliefs in to help with the angle plugs.

For intake, as Andy says, EFI helps. I fit a M1 single plane under a flat E hood with short EFI throttle body and mild drop base air cleaner.

Depending on what your doing with cam and power goals, consider the 440-2D intake. It is tight with hood clearance, but you can make it work.

400 block.......cant use the 440-2D ......... unless you’re running stage 6 heads.


Sounds like the OP has a good handle on what he wants.

None of the low deck manifolds that will fit the TF270 heads are really compatible with how the OP is describing the way the car will be used.

I’d suggest the 240 heads and an SD or RPM manifold.

I have a 400 stroked to 505 in my Challenger. TF 240 heads and TTI headers.
I have a 2 inch scoop on my hood and I have a victor intake so that won't help you any.
If you go with the TF heads just make sure you get the right rocker setup.
I have the Harland Sharp set for Mopar heads but they are too long and don't hit the valve stem right. I have the HS set coming that are made for the TF heads.

Was there any problem with the TTI fit on the 240? Is HS the only rockers for these heads or are they the best working rockers for these heads?

I tested a bunch of rocker arms on the 240 heads. They all work, just need to pick the price range that you are comfortable with.

http://www.hotrod.com/articles/trying-find-extra-power-rocker-arm-testing/

Ooooops

EFI........... Learn how to tune the "original" bad ass fuel/air metering manifold cooling device and you'll "get it"..........It's funny to me that you're suggesting/running EFI on your street cars after all of that max hp carb stuff you posted in your book and on here........

i put a performer RPM manifold on my dads 69 charger with factory hood.
aftermarket mild drop base air cleaner, 3" element i think.
906 heads, 383, holley 3310 and i think a .50" spacer.

should be able to make a performer RPM fit unless the TF heads put the manifold in a different spot somehow..

thanks a lot for all the information i found here. been wondering about some things about my stroker and i found a lot of useful info here. thanks. i was just wondering if i can ask questions here? i'm new here. thanks

Yes feel free to ask questions that's how we all learn, plus a lot of folks have been there and done that

I'd like to thank all who replied. I appreciate the information. I wasn't planning on EFI but I don't have a problem with it. In tank pump and return already in the car. I'm leaning toward the RPM intake. How tall it sits on these heads will be the deciding factor. I know a SD will fit. Final question on the rockers. I've researched the previous posts and links and I'm still not sure which ones to look closer at. For the guys using these heads what rockers are you using and are you happy with them. Thanks again

I used a brand new set of Crane ductile iron I found for $100. No moving parts or bearings to cause problems and no aluminum to fatigue. I follow KISS.

Which heads are you buying?
Don't go for the cheapest rockers you can get because that is what you will get
Buy the best ones YOU can afford
You only have to buy one set of good rocker arms, not three sets of cheap ones
BTW, I am probably the only guy on here that was born smart, my grandfather told me to buy Chrysler products from day one
AKA aside, most of us, not all of us though , on here are here to help any one asking for it

I've decided to go with the 240 heads. I talked to my machinist and he likes those also. I can afford good parts but I want the right parts. This is my last big engine and I want it right the first time.

I believe Harland Sharp has come out with a new KE Series rocker specially for the Trick Flow heads. IIRC it is shorter in length.

R.

You've got the basics correct to get good results, do it right the first time
It took me awhile to learn that lesson

You've gotten some really good advice Frank. GY3's first post to me is the best combo, I like it all. If price isn't a large concern, I would go with T&D rockers.

Actually, the "E" is for Edelbrock(they were available prior to the TF heads existing)...... And yes, they're a bit shorter.
.060 IIRC.

They are also the correct ones to use with the TF heads.