Low comp 440

I'm about ready to put the 440 on the street. It is basically stock with low comp pistons, mild bowl blend on 452 heads and 509 cam. I'm thinking of a different cam, one that works well with my combo, LC. Any feedback with someone using a cam of that type? Since this will be street, I don't want a gas guzzler either.
4 speed with the Weiand 6 pack intake maybe a two 4 top down the road.
Thanks

CamCams has an online service where you can forward your cars info and they will send a cam recommendation. Your machinist should have a good grasp on cam requirements also

It will be fine with a 4 speed. Send it!

Years ago I ran the.509 cam in a 67 coronet rt with 10.1 440, 3800 converter and 4.10s and it ran 12.0 on street tires. Prior to that in a 67 gtx with a 9.1 440, 3000 stall and 3.23's and man was it a slug! Barely broke 13's on street tires, and not like the tires were spinning. I don't think the 509 likes low compression, or numerically low gears, but should work well with the 4 speed and if you have 3.91's or higher. Otherwise maybe a step or two smaller might be a better fit.

The reason I'm asking is I had read before about some cam company who makes a cam for these low comp engines with a radical sound. Can't remember witch one, just looking for feedback if someone had used one and had results. When a race car it would stop pulling at 5000, this same cam in my 383 HC, would go 7000 easy, still pulling. Cam is over 40 years old. Cams should be better now.

This is probably what you are talking about !?

http://www.hughesengines.com/Index/produ...mp;partid=30173

I'd use a fairly small cam in a low compression street driver. Probably something down around 210 or 220 max at 050. I'd send the 509 cam to the swap meet.

Hughes Engines can get you squared away. They make cams for low compression big blocks.

Put the smallest of the Howard’s Rattlers in it.

Or the 703 VooDoo cam.

Comp Voo Doo series fit that bill and I've seen em run good as well..........

Thanks guys, I like those sounds.

IMHO the "necessity" of running X:1 static CR with Y intake closing is just advice. Ford, Hudson, and Harley-Davidson flatheads ran extremely low CR and long cams for many decades.
It does mean that you need more attention to axle ration, crawl ratio (1st gear X axle), stall speed, initial advance etc. because you know low speed response and power will be a bit soft with that combination (low CR + 509).

I think I see what you mean, in race mode I had a 4.88 gear and a TA 3800 vert, 14/32 slicks. 1.5 - 60 and 7.58 1/8 mile, all steel 64 Savoy. Like I said it would flatten out at 5000. Grill ain't crooked, just the way pic was taken.

I ran a 509 with an 8 to 1 '78 440 and a 3.55 gear in my car and it ran pretty good 12.54 with all junkyard second hand parts I had a whole bunch of fun that summer back in 1991.

That cam works good with a 4-speed because you can leave at 4500 without any bog issues

Gus

My old school low comp 440. Stock bore forged pistons stock 452 heads 284/484 Mopar cam. 9.1 or slightly under. 3.91 gears 3500 stall Holley street intake ran 11.90-12.00 115 mph in a Challenger.

My old 440 was 9.2-1 with '516 heads M1 intake, 750 Carter, 509 cam, TA 10" convertor and 4.56 gears. It ran 12.19@106 in my old truck.
If you are going to run the low compression, the 509 cam too make sure you have lots of convertor and gear.

I’d have no problem running the 509 cam in an 8:1 440...... in a street/strip car with plenty of gear and stall if the emphasis was on the “strip” side of the build.

But if it’s more of a street car that might see the occasional trip to the track, I think are way better choices out there.

I think are way better choices out there

X2

In the old DC Engine book they ran most of there cams in a 400 low cr A body back to back giving ETs for comparison.

I have a 9.5 452 that I put together in the late 80s strate out of the mopar books with pocket ported 452 heads and the 557 mopar mec cam. I recently came up with all the parts freshened up the heads and reassembled with a cam I had and the old dog made 520 hp and 545 tq., its basically a stock blueprinted 440. Back in the day I ran this motor with a little more cam and a Turbo Action 3800 converter, 4.88 gears @ 4400lbs for 11.50s.

x3 on a "better cam" than the .509, but people have to pick their poison. i'm tired of poisoning myself.

I have a stock rod, cast piston, 906 heads, 509 cam , 440 in the race car now. starting and drive-abilty is fine and went 11.40's at the track.

A couple questions on the 509 you guys have, what rpm do you shift at and thru the traps, what springs? I've always used the Isky steel rockers and Crane pushrods.
All cam makers say their cams are the greatest and I have always liked the 509 but I'm leaning toward the new technology to see which has better cylinder filling with a reg hydraulic lifter and be better all around.

I’m sure you’ve built enough motors to have a pretty good handle on what to use to get it to have the balance of power and drivability you’re looking for.

I did this engine back in 85, just ain't up on the new stuff, reason I'm relying on you guys in the know to point me in the right direction. Believe me, I will listen, I like the details.

You may be thinking of the Thumpercams.

Cams are a little better now, but mostly they are better with street driving characteristics. The 509 is waay to big for what you want. Its a Great performance cam with a 4200+ vert, but no way would I want it for a primary street car even with a stick with a low comp engine.

Comp 924, shift 5700, not sure on trap rpm but went 116. 4.56 gears 31" tires, 9' GER converter that was rebuilt locally. I hadn't started the car for several months, tapped the gas twice kit the key, and it fired right up and idled. Timing is 25 at idle and 36 when in.

One of my favorite street/strip 440 cams is the Comp xs282s, which is technically probably slightly on the big side for the OP’s combo......... but would still offer better drivability and vacuum over the 509 cam.

mechanical cam will work better in all aspects. a small to moderate mechanical would be the ticket. I was impressed by a xs274s I rode in several months ago.

The .528/284 MP mechanical that AndyF mentions frequently would be a great selection.

I ran it in a stock ring/bearing 9:1 440 engine with 2500 stall and 3.23 gears. It was an torque monster that got mileage to boot. 14mpg!

with the above posts that if you are going to get a new cam ........solid no-doubt. I ran the 509 cause it was laying around.

I'm buying this one from a guy who contacted me...

"Comp 3bolt cam ..505 intake lift…511exhaust lift intake duration 230 …exhaust duration246 to be installed at 109 intake centerline. Also new Comp lifters (better ones)#867. I had a low pop engine and had Jeff at Modern spec it out."

Sound ok? Hope so.

230/246@.050??
16 extra degrees on the exhaust....... interesting.

I’m sure it will run “fine”, but without dyno testing it against something else..... you won’t know if that’s what the motor really wants or not.

When you get it, post the lobe numbers.

numbers don't match up to any master lobe stuff I have.

I’m gonna go with......
5087/5209