Looking for recent data/recommendations on best route to go:
Currently I have a virgin '77 440-3 block and cast crank with fresh 452 heads installed and running in the Challenger bolted to a Keisler 5 spd manual tranny. 2.5" exhaust and HP manifolds. 825 carb, MSD 6al box with mopar electronic dist. Power everything and A/C.
the static compression is low, (8.0 or less, however the "RV Cam" I have in here makes lots of Torque) and the top half of the rear main seal leaks more every day (the only seal/gasket I didnt change out before repainting and installing motor
) so If I am going to pull the motor and tear it down again, I would like to make it worth my while, as well as improve my resale value (should that ever happen). dropping closed chamber heads in the current motor would likely only get me in the high 8.x's compression wise.
Goals:
pass AZ emissions (current motor and cam combo does)
, get to ~9.5:1 static compression, keep a reasonable gas mileage effiency (12-14 hwy or better) and
keep things looking stock under the hood. No change to exhaust system.
~75K mile motor
If I ever take this car to the track it will be a one time affair only.
Im more interested in street driving but still need a motor that will make the car "lucrative" to potential buyers in the future (more lucrative than the cast-crank low-compression 440 that is in it now)
Not to spend an obsene amount of money. Would like to be able to get most of it back out at sale time.
I was looking at the 440ci-512ci kit from 440 source
from the 440source site:
440 >> 512. (4.250" stroke/7.100" rod)
Now available with off the shelf flattop pistons in .040" over. The 4.250" stroke version of our Platinum Series crank used in this kit has the smaller 2.200" (big block Chevy sized) journals to make block clearancing much easier. In fact block clearancing for the 4.250" stroke crank with smaller rod journals is nearly the same as the 4.150" crank with Chrysler sized rod journals, making this kit hassle free to install, and almost a bolt in deal, just like our 440>>500 kit. This is the largest kit which is still able to use a factory style internal oil pickup. Coming soon for this kit is our Platinum Series pistons setup for PUMP GAS. These 17CC dished pistons with give a perfect pump gas compression ratio of 9.5 with factory style cast iron heads. Or, with the newer 75cc aluminum heads such as Indy and Edelbrock Victor, a perfect 10.5 to 1, which is ideal for pump gas with aluminum heads. More details and piston choices coming soon.
=-==--==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Ill be tearing into the motor probably Late March or April when I have enough time to deal with it.
interested in recommendations and experiences
Thanks,