Help with cam selection - high altitude 440
#2978424
10/25/21 11:07 PM
10/25/21 11:07 PM
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 528 SW CO
HemiSportFury
OP
mopar
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OP
mopar
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 528
SW CO
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I know this question has been asked many times, but I haven't found the answer to the questions I have for this build, so I hope some of you can provide some insight. I'm building a 440 to put in my 57 Belvedere. What makes this one unusual are the following factors: I live at 6,700' elevation in a very dry climate: I will be running cast iron manifolds (non-HP) and a full exhaust, and: I'm running a 2.76 rear gear with a pushbutton 727.
With that in mind, my goal is a good cruiser with good low end torque and driveability. Obviously I'm not worried about peak hp with the restrictive exhaust system. The 440 is 0.030” over with KB 237 pistions and Stealth heads so the CR will be around 9.5. My thinking on the cam is relatively short duration and higher lift. That seems to limit the selection since it looks like duration and lift go hand in hand in most selections. Two cams I am looking at are Hughes SEH1016BL-12 ( 210/216 - 0.480/.500) and Hughes SEH1620BL-12 (216/220 – 0.495/0.503). Both cams are 112 LSA and 108 installed CL. I'm thinking the first one would provide better low end torque but would the longer exhaust duration and higher lift with the second one be a better choice? Are there other options out there that would be better? I not really considering a custom grind since I've got plenty of other places to spend money on this car.
Also, what stall speed torque converter should I use in this combo. The 57 Belvedere is slightly less weight than a B-body.
Thanks for your help!
'64 Sport Fury, 528 Hemi, FiTech EFI, 4-speed, 4.10 Dana 60 '57 Belvedere 2dr sedan, current project in process '19 Cherokee Trail Hawk Elite '03 Ram 2500 CTD HO, 6-speed 214,000 miles and still going strong
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Re: Help with cam selection - high altitude 440
[Re: lewtot184]
#2978529
10/26/21 10:37 AM
10/26/21 10:37 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,645 So Near, Yet So Far
topside
Too Many Posts
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Too Many Posts
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,645
So Near, Yet So Far
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Based on similar cams I've used in 406" SB & 446" RB street cars, either should be fine for that application, and the larger of the two will easily be absorbed by 440". Lift (within reason) is kind of "free power", meaning it doesn't typically have the low-RPM laziness side-effect that too much duration gives. Limiting factor to some extent is the manifolds, but for this kind of application I wouldn't lose a minute's sleep over it. I'd stick with a fairly tight converter with that gear & weight & usage, pretty much stock; did that with the 406 car (Duster, AC, 3.21 gear, 28" tire) and it was very responsive in street driving, pulled 17MPG. I'd also in that application lean toward a Thermoquad unless you have the budget & desire for EFI. 9.5 with Stealths @ 6700 feet is plenty safe even with those fairly small cams, which tend to give good dynamic CR.
Agree on photos, love the fin cars; 1st car I ever drove (age 12) was the parents' '57 Sport Suburban (which had a 383 swap).
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Re: Help with cam selection - high altitude 440
[Re: Sniper]
#2978561
10/26/21 11:53 AM
10/26/21 11:53 AM
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 19,239 north of coder
moparx
"Butt Crack Bob"
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"Butt Crack Bob"
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 19,239
north of coder
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stock 440 cam installed a few degrees advanced perhaps ? a well tuned t-quad would work well with that combination. the factory torque converter for the pushbutton transmission [727, correct ?] will work good as well. just my opinion. your mileage will vary.
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Re: Help with cam selection - high altitude 440
[Re: moparx]
#2978608
10/26/21 02:27 PM
10/26/21 02:27 PM
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 528 SW CO
HemiSportFury
OP
mopar
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OP
mopar
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 528
SW CO
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a well tuned t-quad would work well with that combination. the factory torque converter for the pushbutton transmission [727, correct ?] will work good as well. just my opinion. your mileage will vary. I've never messed with a T-quad, so excuse the dumb question, but why would it be better than say a Holley? I should add that I have upgraded the input shaft and support on the 727 so I can run the later torque converters. Not much of a selection for the early style input shaft. The body is still at the hot rod shop getting painted but should be ready to come home soon. I've still got a long way to go, but making progress.
'64 Sport Fury, 528 Hemi, FiTech EFI, 4-speed, 4.10 Dana 60 '57 Belvedere 2dr sedan, current project in process '19 Cherokee Trail Hawk Elite '03 Ram 2500 CTD HO, 6-speed 214,000 miles and still going strong
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Re: Help with cam selection - high altitude 440
[Re: lewtot184]
#2978736
10/26/21 08:53 PM
10/26/21 08:53 PM
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 43,007 Bend,OR USA
Cab_Burge
I Win
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I Win
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 43,007
Bend,OR USA
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Last edited by Cab_Burge; 10/26/21 08:55 PM.
Mr.Cab Racing and winning with Mopars since 1964. (Old F--t, Huh)
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Re: Help with cam selection - high altitude 440
[Re: HemiSportFury]
#2978748
10/26/21 09:25 PM
10/26/21 09:25 PM
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,060 Atlanta, GA
mgoblue9798
super stock
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super stock
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,060
Atlanta, GA
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a well tuned t-quad would work well with that combination. the factory torque converter for the pushbutton transmission [727, correct ?] will work good as well. just my opinion. your mileage will vary. I've never messed with a T-quad, so excuse the dumb question, but why would it be better than say a Holley? I should add that I have upgraded the input shaft and support on the 727 so I can run the later torque converters. Not much of a selection for the early style input shaft. The body is still at the hot rod shop getting painted but should be ready to come home soon. I've still got a long way to go, but making progress. Other than better gas mileage, you might want a Thermoquad because some of them came from the factory with altitude adjustment valve to keep them in tune at various altitudes. Only carb I am aware of that has that feature.
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Re: Help with cam selection - high altitude 440
[Re: mgoblue9798]
#2978876
10/27/21 12:02 PM
10/27/21 12:02 PM
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 19,239 north of coder
moparx
"Butt Crack Bob"
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"Butt Crack Bob"
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 19,239
north of coder
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a well tuned t-quad would work well with that combination. the factory torque converter for the pushbutton transmission [727, correct ?] will work good as well. just my opinion. your mileage will vary. I've never messed with a T-quad, so excuse the dumb question, but why would it be better than say a Holley? I should add that I have upgraded the input shaft and support on the 727 so I can run the later torque converters. Not much of a selection for the early style input shaft. The body is still at the hot rod shop getting painted but should be ready to come home soon. I've still got a long way to go, but making progress. Other than better gas mileage, you might want a Thermoquad because some of them came from the factory with altitude adjustment valve to keep them in tune at various altitudes. Only carb I am aware of that has that feature. i was going to mention the altitude adjustment valve, but you beat me to it. to the OP : that car looks great ! will be stunner going down the road !
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