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Head choices? 550 inch's, BMP Aluminum block

Posted By: gregsdart

Head choices? 550 inch's, BMP Aluminum block - 12/09/21 01:41 PM

Here are details. My 440-1 heads are too thin to live at very high compression. They survived 15/1 on methanol and made 926 hp, but blew a cometic head gasket after fourteen dyno pulls and seven passes. They have been repaired but will be relegated to a pumpgas combo.
Parts I can reuse on most any combo;
New BMP 4.5 bore aluminum block.
Crower full counterweight 4.315 stroke crank.
DLC coated 205 wall Trend wrist pins.
4.5 bore . 9mm (.036) rings and 3 mm low ten oil rings., Gapped at . 025 top and second for BMP block.
Isky bushed lifters that pushrod oil, springs retainers ,locks and cups- 1228 PAC intake springs, Comp 947 triples for exhaust.
Option1
Parts usable with 440-1 heads. Fresh Jesel 1.7 rocker kit. Modified to eliminate problems with intake rockers side loading.
3X intake reworked by Wilson Manifolds. Basically I need to buy 440-1 castings and have them reworked with stainless steel valves.

Option 2
Upgrade to 572-13 heads. I would need all new valvetrain and maybe pushrods. I Have spraybar valve covers and 3x Wilson ported intake. Will need new Pistons and possible rebalance for heavier Pistons.



Option 3 and 4
B1 or B1MC heads, used in great shape if I can find them. Would need everything, plus new pushrods most likely.
My goal is to go 8.50 ET at 2920 lbs in 3000 DA air. I am sure that would require at minimum -13 heads and that might not be enough head.

My budget will be about $ 8500, based on what I can sell and cash to add to that.
Posted By: Al_Alguire

Re: Head choices? 550 inch's, BMP Aluminum block - 12/09/21 05:30 PM

Personally I would look at B1 stuff as a START. You will already need new pistonsif oyu go away from the -1 stuff. GUess you really need to ask what the goal is. If you were happy at the power level you had then go back to a -1 head. Port technology is always evolving and the latest and great port design by one of the big name porters out there may show a good gain over what you had. IMO what you had power wise is close to maxing out a -1head IMO, intake valve size, port CC just limit the power potential without going WAY up in RPM. I would look at the B1 original as a STARTING point if you want more power. Just my twocents
Posted By: 440Jim

Re: Head choices? 550 inch's, BMP Aluminum block - 12/09/21 05:53 PM

Greg,
You have a tough decision to make between Indy 572-13 and B1 heads (Original or MC).
That Wilson worked 3X intake has a bunch of money invested. It needs a good home (you or somebody willing to pay for it).
What length connecting rods do you have?

Koffel's usually has a winter sale, but it looks like their website is out of date.
Posted By: 440Jim

Re: Head choices? 550 inch's, BMP Aluminum block - 12/09/21 06:30 PM

Also, BES has experience with the B1 heads.
LINK BES B1 heads
Posted By: 72340rally

Re: Head choices? 550 inch's, BMP Aluminum block - 12/09/21 08:18 PM

You would want to contact Chuck & Pete @ Best Machine as they did a KILLER set of heads for my friend Ray on his 540 build that have to be some of the BEST around anywhere ! Alot of people can take a good casting and not do them justice but those guys will get the most out of it. just my 2 cents
Posted By: cesar perez

Re: Head choices? 550 inch's, BMP Aluminum block - 12/10/21 04:32 AM

Who makes the BMP block
Posted By: gregsdart

Re: Head choices? 550 inch's, BMP Aluminum block - 12/10/21 05:51 AM

Originally Posted by cesar perez
Who makes the BMP block
Bill Mitchel Products. About $5800 plus another $900 to do the final machine work. They are light Mine weighs 144 with caps on the mains. They also come with a GM bolt pattern along with the Mopar pattern. Bronze bushed lifters with oil holes for oil through pushrods. 4.500 bore, dry sleeves, priority main oiling, accept standard oil and water pumps, bridges in the valley for strength. The bores came at . 015 undersize, and a lot of honing was needed also for lifters. They come at about . 902 size.
Posted By: gregsdart

Re: Head choices? 550 inch's, BMP Aluminum block - 12/10/21 04:35 PM

It is starting to look like -13 is my best choice. They should show a nice power increase and good torque from 6200, where my converter stalled before. I am waiting on estimates from a couple of people . Most have gone to the PRI show this weekend.

It would be great if a deal on used B1Mc heads showed up, but my concern is they would want more rpm. I want to stay below about 7600.
Would like to hear what kind of power and rev range those heads would want.
Posted By: HardcoreB

Re: Head choices? 550 inch's, BMP Aluminum block - 12/13/21 02:25 PM

For your goals, you'd need a solid 1000HP. A good fully ported set of -1's can do that. Depends if you want any reserve left to tap. How much more is the 572-13? ...the B1 orig?
Posted By: gregsdart

Re: Head choices? 550 inch's, BMP Aluminum block - 12/13/21 03:27 PM

Originally Posted by HardcoreB
For your goals, you'd need a solid 1000HP. A good fully ported set of -1's can do that. Depends if you want any reserve left to tap. How much more is the 572-13? ...the B1 orig?

I have decided to go to 572-13. Reasons; power goal, as density altitude kept me in the 8.80s a lot. I can transfer my intake, valve covers and locks , retainers and springs and possibly pushrods. If I pick up 75 hp, I will be close to my 8.50 cert, as 104 lbs less weight, and power gain. If I come up short I can use M5 fuel, which is worth over a tenth. Check the race parts for sale section for new listings!
Posted By: STEFF

Re: Head choices? 550 inch's, BMP Aluminum block - 12/14/21 11:40 AM

Why not Predators? I don't understand why those are still not the Go-To Head for a Big Block, Especially for 550" plus motors.
Posted By: gregsdart

Re: Head choices? 550 inch's, BMP Aluminum block - 12/14/21 12:01 PM

Originally Posted by STEFF
Why not Predators? I don't understand why those are still not the Go-To Head for a Big Block, Especially for 550" plus motors.
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$3$$$$$$$
Posted By: 440Jim

Re: Head choices? 550 inch's, BMP Aluminum block - 12/14/21 01:16 PM

Originally Posted by STEFF
Why not Predators? I don't understand why those are still not the Go-To Head for a Big Block, Especially for 550" plus motors.

I am not an expert on Predator heads. But I think the reason most don't switch is that none of their old parts fit. Not intake, not pistons, not rockers, not distributor, not valve covers, not headers, etc.

If starting from scratch, it could be worth looking at. Still $$$$ like Greg said.
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