Building a 440 stroker - Help!
#1340837
11/24/12 10:48 PM
11/24/12 10:48 PM
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Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 6
Staten Island, NY
Chrisn68
OP
member
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OP
member
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 6
Staten Island, NY
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Hi All, I'm new to the board, and was hoping to get some input/advice on a few things.
I have a 68 Charger that is 14 years into a never-ending restoration. The car is not numbers-matching and would be considered a resto-mod, although it is mostly true to stock appearance.
After the existing 383 block self-destructed, I am going to convert to a 440 stroker, which will bring it up to around 500 cubes, using aftermarket aluminum heads and roller rockers and keeping it all under a stock hood. It will be a weekend cruiser, not a track star or street racer, although as you would expect, I want it to really have some kick on occasion. I doubt it would ever see RPM north of 6000-6500. My engine builder is trying to convince me of a few things that I am not sure of, so any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
1) I already have a TTI exhaust system, and was planning to use 1-7/8 TTI headers, which will mate up easily to the existing TTI exhaust. He feels I should use the Hooker Super Comp headers. Any real reason to do that?
2) I already had a Mopar orange box electronic ignition, and since I cannot reuse the 383 distributor, was planning to simply get the appropriate MP distributor that would fit the 440. He wants me to convert to an MSD system. I am hesitant to start cutting up the new wiring harness, which I think is necessary to add the MSD. Any real reason to change over to MSD?
3) He doesn't like my Edelbrock AVS Thunder series 800cfm carb, and wants me to change over to a Holley 950. Again, any real reason to do that?
All in all, the sky is not the limit on pricing, but I'll spend it if it would really make a difference for some of the parts. I'd love to re-use as many of the existing parts as possible, as long as it won't compromise the engine. Thanks!
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Re: Building a 440 stroker - Help!
[Re: Chrisn68]
#1340838
11/24/12 11:05 PM
11/24/12 11:05 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 24,562
Brookeville, Md
Mr.Yuck
Not enough dumb comments...yet
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Not enough dumb comments...yet
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 24,562
Brookeville, Md
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You need to ask yourself what am I build ing this car for? A stroker is great and all but a stock 440 or even 383 can run just fine for most applications. It all depends on what you buy and how much work it needs. TTi's are a waste of money unless you need a 2" tube. My junk runs 11.30's w/ cheap a$$ 1 3/4" headers. MSD is nice but just get a shelf 440 distrib and roll. The 800 should be fine. a 950DP is a great carb but seems like it's over-kill for what you want. Look around for a short or long block. This kit is advertised on e-bay, not made in the US but it's a hell of a deal. http://www.ebay.com/itm/THE-DEFINITIVE-3...7a3&vxp=mtrtoss that on top a a .030 over 10:1 440 w/ a 240ish, 520ish cam and roll.
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Re: Building a 440 stroker - Help!
[Re: Chrisn68]
#1340839
11/24/12 11:09 PM
11/24/12 11:09 PM
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,746
Ontario, Canada
Dodgem
master
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master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,746
Ontario, Canada
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Well first 500 to 512 is the way to go cost the same to build as a stock stroke when you are starting from scratch! AND there is no replacement for cubic inch displacement!! If he wants you to go to Hooker super competitions over TTI not only must he be old (they are so 1982) but a sadist as well cause the fit like crap I had 2 sets on my GTX 85 till 2005 never ever again TTI all the way! Go with Edelbrock heads and RPM performer intake. if your going with edelbrock Victors maybe a Indy dual plane but ported edelbrock RPMs will more than do the job! I do like the upgrade to the Holly 950 No reason not to run the mopar dizzy I switched to MSD and gained?? wait for it nothing but a rev limiter. Then I switched from my recurved mopar 440 dizzy to a MSD and gained?? wait for it O The bearings in an MSD are longer lasting at High rpm drag racing than the dizzy's bushings But that is it!   and you can buy rev limiters hear is one http://www.summitracing.com/parts/msd-8728/overview/
Last edited by Dodgem; 11/24/12 11:14 PM.
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Re: Building a 440 stroker - Help!
[Re: Chrisn68]
#1340840
11/24/12 11:26 PM
11/24/12 11:26 PM
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 36,040
Lincoln Nebraska
RapidRobert
Circle Track
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Circle Track
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 36,040
Lincoln Nebraska
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Welcome! I would get Andy Finkbeiners' stroker bible. I'd keep the carb & as said get a new or used 440 electronic dizzy. You can experiment later after you're up & running. Too long of down time from poor plannning/spending money on the wrong areas/parts is the cats' ass & a common pitfall leading to unfinished projects. Do your homework & ask plenty of questions (it's free). Me and a customer are stroking a 440 & we're going with sources' 4.5" stroke kit (~535 cubes  ), not sure on heads yet
live every 24 hour block of time like it's your last day on earth
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Re: Building a 440 stroker - Help!
[Re: Mr.Yuck]
#1340847
11/25/12 11:35 AM
11/25/12 11:35 AM
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 4,313
Prospect, PA
BSB67
master
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master
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 4,313
Prospect, PA
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Quote:
...Again no need to build some high dollar 600+hp engine if all you have/want are a 2800 convert and 3.23 gears...
I take offense to that. Oh, sorry, that does not apply to me, I have an 1800 stall. 
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Re: Building a 440 stroker - Help!
[Re: Mr.Yuck]
#1340848
11/25/12 11:57 AM
11/25/12 11:57 AM
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Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 6
Staten Island, NY
Chrisn68
OP
member
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OP
member
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 6
Staten Island, NY
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Hi All,
THANK YOU for the multiple responses! As for performance objectives, I'm looking for an able street cruiser with perhaps an occasional trip to the track for fun, nothing serious. The car has an 18-spline 4 speed and 3.91 gears in an 8-3/4, with a high quality drive shaft. It has Harland Sharp roller rockers and shafts, so while I know there are differing opinions about HS, I didn't skimp in that department.
Based on the feedback you guys are giving, I'm going to go with the MP box for now, stick with my 800cfm carb, and keep my TTI setup. As you said, I can always swap these things later, but for now, I'd like to get it up and running.
I like the suggestions for the intake, which I will bring up with the builder.
Still open to other suggestions/feedback/questions, and I'm sure I'll have more questions as I go along, so thanks again for all the help!
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Re: Building a 440 stroker - Help!
[Re: BSB67]
#1340851
11/25/12 02:31 PM
11/25/12 02:31 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 24,562
Brookeville, Md
Mr.Yuck
Not enough dumb comments...yet
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Not enough dumb comments...yet
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 24,562
Brookeville, Md
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Quote:
Quote:
...Again no need to build some high dollar 600+hp engine if all you have/want are a 2800 convert and 3.23 gears...
I take offense to that. Oh, sorry, that does not apply to me, I have an 1800 stall.
and just think how much better it would run w/ a real exhaust, some stall and non-highway gears...
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Re: Building a 440 stroker - Help!
[Re: Streetwize]
#1340852
11/25/12 04:40 PM
11/25/12 04:40 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,940
Holly/MI
Dean_Kuzluzski
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,940
Holly/MI
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Here's my take on that...........
as mentioned, the 906 port window is too small for a 493+ cubed motor. I got a smokin' hot deal on some ported MW EZ's from the classifieds of this site. Last set of BB heads I'll ever need. If you go big, go the whole package.
As for your driving needs................lots of miles, to me, equates to going realistic on cam duration and valvespring pressure. High spring pressure is hard on valvetrain parts. Going to the track once a year means lots of troublefree street driving would be more desireable. Since you have the HS rockers already, I'd get something they deserve to be matched up with but only a solid tappet with a high zinc additive.
R.I.P.- Gary "Coop" Davis 02/09/68-05/13/04
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Re: Building a 440 stroker - Help!
[Re: CUDA8U]
#1340853
11/25/12 05:55 PM
11/25/12 05:55 PM
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 21,318
Manitoba, Canada
DaytonaTurbo
Too Many Posts
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Too Many Posts
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 21,318
Manitoba, Canada
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Quote:
i'm not one to jump into a project blind,i've also been planning a stroker and asked 400 million questions on here and other mopar sites and this is what i came up with:
-compu-flow short block,fully assembled,balanced and top quality part(from what i'm being told the 512 is the way to go)compu-flow 493 is $3600,local shops can't touch this price range
-edelbrock rpm or super stealth cnc'ed
-keeping my m1 and 1-3/4 headers flowing through 3" exhaust
-keepnig my 850 holley
-3:55
-2800 tci stall
-shift kit
-lunatic hydraulic 60303
619hp estimated
500hp is a mild stroker,your builder is spending extra cash for no reason
Sorry to burst your bubble but you're not making 620hp with a lunati 60303 with a 493 and CNC'd RPM or Stealth heads. Those 400 million questions didn't get you that far!  I've run that cam, it's pretty tame, you're looking at knocking 100hp off your estimate.
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Re: Building a 440 stroker - Help!
[Re: DaytonaTurbo]
#1340854
11/25/12 07:15 PM
11/25/12 07:15 PM
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 10,552
Rittman Ohio
fourgearsavoy
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 10,552
Rittman Ohio
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Quote:
Quote:
i'm not one to jump into a project blind,i've also been planning a stroker and asked 400 million questions on here and other mopar sites and this is what i came up with:
-compu-flow short block,fully assembled,balanced and top quality part(from what i'm being told the 512 is the way to go)compu-flow 493 is $3600,local shops can't touch this price range
-edelbrock rpm or super stealth cnc'ed
-keeping my m1 and 1-3/4 headers flowing through 3" exhaust
-keepnig my 850 holley
-3:55
-2800 tci stall
-shift kit
-lunatic hydraulic 60303
619hp estimated
500hp is a mild stroker,your builder is spending extra cash for no reason
Sorry to burst your bubble but you're not making 620hp with a lunati 60303 with a 493 and CNC'd RPM or Stealth heads. Those 400 million questions didn't get you that far! I've run that cam, it's pretty tame, you're looking at knocking 100hp off your estimate.
 I have to agree,I have had this cam http://www.compcams.com/Company/CC/cam-specs/Details.aspx?csid=713&sb=2 before and it just plain made awesome power for a hydraulic grind
Gus
64 Plymouth Savoy
493 Indy EZ's by Nick at Compu-Flow
5-Speed Richmond faceplate Liberty box
Dana 60
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I say put your foot down and go with what you want to pay for, you can always swap parts later, if you want to 
