I am hoping to start a buildup of a 408 next Summer or Fall to replace the 340 that has been running faithfully for the last 13 years in my AAR, and went in the 11's this year at the Mopar Nats.

I would like to be able to have a more streetable rear gear, hopefully 3.55s, and run low 11's on the motor.
Here is what I have so far:
Fully machined 360 block with main studs
SRP #220156 pistons
Speed Pro file fit rings
Eagle H beam rods
Eagle forged 4" stroke crank
Rod and main bearings
Erson 1.6 ratio true roller rocker arms

I am planning on using the headers and intake manifold/carburetors that are currently on the car when I put in the 408.
The induction is a factory 6 barrel manifold with factory carburetors, tuned by me, which have worked very well over the last 13 years.
Using a 4 barrel is NOT an option, as this is a real AAR and I want to keep the 6 barrel.

I want to run cast iron heads. I am thinking of using the Indy X heads. I do not want aluminum heads because I like the stock look under my hood because it is an AAR. Any other thoughts on heads would be appreciated.

I am thinking of a flat tappet cam, either hydraulic or solid, probably somewhere in the .550" lift range. I realize the cam is going to be very important because I would like to go to a 3.55 gear.

No high compression, I only run a max of 93 octane premium fuel.

I am also planning on putting this car into the 10's on nitrous. I already have the 6 barrel nitrous setup and it is a Cheater capable of 100-250 horsepower. (I will run race gas if needed on the nitrous passes).

This will be a fairly stock looking car with stock rally wheels that I would like to run on probably a 275-60-15 Drag Radial. You know, something that looks relatively stock, but really runs good.

Oh, and one more thing, it needs to be as reliable as my 340 has been for the last 13 years. 13 years of street driving, street racing, drag racing, cruising, burnouts, burnout competitions, you name it, this 340 has done it.

Anyway, I am just looking for some ideas, especially in the heads and cam choice.
Thanks, Mike.

If it were me I'd run closed chambered W2 heads and modify the intake to fit the heads. It's a pain but it's worth it. Based on some of the info I've heard from other members, the Indy heads, while not bad, lack the necessary material to reach the airflow potential that I'd like to see. Even the Magnum R/T heads, to my knowledge, have more meat in 'em and are capable of flowing more air. Keep in mind, I'm only going off what others have said of the Indy heads, I haven't had my hands on them personally. The R/T's are another matter though. But the external characteristics of the R/T heads are nowhere near what a stock LA head is. The W2's may be however.
Anyway, that's the route I'd go.
closed chamber W2's, 2.080" intake, 1.600 exhaust, 11/32 stems, or even better, 5/16ths. Fully ported, zero decked with proper quench. Compression of 10.5:1. Cam ground to match the heads flow characteristics.
Should make scary power.

Not sure how stock the indy head will look? you could have a set of J's done with 2.05 valves from one of the experts on the board they can get the flow to around the 270's + but it will cost big $$$$. for cam i'm thinking hyd roller in the 240's @ .050 with 550" lift area. your basicly looking for a F.A.S.T. build but with headers, I'm in the same boat with a 71 demon 340, just finished porting the intake

Are any of the econo W2 heads standard port (not oval)?

The closed chamber W2 and a roller cam will preform real good