I have the opportunity to get a set of stage V millenium conversion heads for a 440 engine. Is there any detriments to making a hemi this way? I would assume I need custom pistons and so on but is there anything about this setup that would come back to bite me? IF I build an engine it will be in the 500" range and be street and once in a while strip. If I can get a good deal on these heads is this worth doing, or will I be better off trying to get a real hemi?

Thank you in advance for any help on the subject.

The big problem with these heads in the past has been that Stage V had so much race business they did't build any.
If you can get your hands on a complete package I can't see why not. Here's a couple of things to consider:
1. It would make everyone feel better if you used a main cap girdle, I am thinking BCR. The heads on a 500 inch motor will definitely tax the 440 bottom end.
2. Any Hemi piston is by nature pretty heavy. Using a stroker crank increases the acceleration at the top of the exhaust stroke leading to increased rod bolt stress. Use a lightweight piston. You MUST (IMHO) use an aftermarket rod with 7/16" capscrews. Stock 440 rods will not cut it. Also don't use stock Hemi rods, they weigh about 200grams too much.
3. Price out the machine work to see if the deal is worth it. You may be surprised to find a real Hemi doesn't cost much more. You may also find a couple of $thousand savings using the conversion. But go in with your eyes open.

Good Luck!
R.

This kit was designed at a time when there were no hemi blocks in production OEM or aftermarket.
It takes many parts that are specific to itself and a good deal of machine work is needed.As far as resale it will not bring close to a real hemi.

Call Jerry Heard. 412-521-2367.

Hopefully, the rocker arm package comes with it, the standard Hemi rockers will not work on these heads as they take special length rockers and different rocker stands. Stage V may still make them but we all know how long that might be if they are still available. You also have to do some serious grinding on the 440 block for exhaust pushrod clearance, getting really close to water jackets depending upon how much casting shift the block might have had. Also have to run an external oil drain line from the heads down to the pan or drill and tap a fitting into the block. Like Fred said, this package was a lot more desirable when there were no aftermarket blocks available.

Before deciding to go for it I would look very closely at a new World block to see if the pushrod releifs are better than the stock B and RB blocks for the conversion heads, take a head with you, if you can, and set it on the block and look at it very closely before deciding Don't forget what I think about Hemiriods

I don't have any experience w/ the Stage V heads, however the topic comes up here a few times a year and nobody that I know of goes thru with it. I'm pretty sure in the long run it's not very cost effective. I think for less money you can get a set of ported (place brand here) aluminum heads and run the numbers you are looking for w/ far less trouble. Now if somebody dropped a set in your lap that's another story.

Here is a link to an article on the conversion.

http://www.popularhotrodding.com/enginemasters/articles/bigblockshootout/0506em_hemi/