Looking to do some performance mods

[stinger]

I wish I had built my 440 myself but time and money at the time made that a dream but the car runs fairly strong for what it is and it's just a street car. that being said anyone have some reasonable performance mods for my car?
70 Barracuda
71 440,steel crank .030 over,sp 2266 pistons that I measured .070 down not sure how that is??? cut down 452's,full port job,2.14 1.81 valves cc'd 85cc's. lunati 303 cam 226/234 .494/.513, comp 911 springs,stamp rockers,steel head gaskets,165 psi cranking pressure,13/4" headers full magna exhaust with x pipe,melling HV oil pump, firecore dist,wires,cd coil,msd 6a box chained to the K.performer rpm intake,eddy mech. fuel pump, Holley 850 dp with stock jetting and all plugs are a light grey/tan.
727 with 10" 2800 converter CRT man/auto VB,3:91 83/4 ,cooper 275/40 r17 tires with American racing wheels. frame ties,ss springs and 1" lowering blocks.
I think my hands are tied with the pistons but would like to keep improving with what I have if it's worth it and some day I might be able to build a better engine.who knows?

[cudabob496]

what is your CR, and what do the heads flow?
I'd lean towards 1 and 7/8 headers. I had used Hooker Super Comps on
my 440.

[Chryco Psycho]

Those pistons are slightly lower compression so that hurts you & it limits cam lift with no valve reliefs , but pulling down the engine & replacing pistons is major + rebalancing . You could stroke it if you go that far & get over 500 CI .
The heads are limiting as well , the port work could be poor to great so that is a variable , also you have no quench as the piston will be a long way away from the heads so it can be a detonating problem as well .
 Alum heads will hurts as you lose even more compression heat , but the flow would help at higher RPM .
 More cam lift could get close the pistons , + you have decent cranking pressure already

[cudabob496]

I think if lower compression ratio, you may be able to compensate
somewhat by using a shorter duration cam.  But still, top end power
will be hurt. If low compression ratio and a longer duration cam, you will
defintely be losing power.

Also, I think you can compensate somewhat for aluminum heads
keeping cylinder pressure down, by running a hotter thermostat.

[stinger]

Those pistons are slightly lower compression so that hurts you & it limits cam lift with no valve reliefs , but pulling down the engine & replacing pistons is major + rebalancing . You could stroke it if you go that far & get over 500 CI .
The heads are limiting as well , the port work could be poor to great so that is a variable , also you have no quench as the piston will be a long way away from the heads so it can be a detonating problem as well .
 Alum heads will hurts as you lose even more compression heat , but the flow would help at higher RPM .
 More cam lift could get close the pistons , + you have decent cranking pressure already

these were all my thoughts as well. just wondering if things like adjustable rockers or a pro form carb body would add some more performance. on the other hand the car runs good as it is so why mess with it.

[Chryco Psycho]

Adjustable rockers will make the cam lift & duration more accurate but could be all that is keeping the valves from hitting the pistons right now .
 proform body could make the carb more responsive but the Holley carb is good so you might gain a little

[jhaag]

stinger, you have a pretty highly modified combination for driver currently. I would maximize the tune and run it as is. you will get a million opinions asking an open ended question like you did. your gains would be minimal, and options few, unless you are willing to do a complete rebuild and spend many $$$.

[stinger]

yes jhaag I agree,just having to much fun optimizing what I have and want to keep going.I'm one of those that likes to work on them more then driving. I asked the open ended question just to see other opinion's but most points I've already considered. my car so far has been very reliable,strong running and  fun to drive so I suppose I'll turn my attention to other upgrades.

[RCCDrew]

One option would be to mill the heads. I think the general consensus is that the low compression is limiting you.

[cudabob496]

cold air intake can get you 25+ hp.
1.5% power increase for every 10 degrees you lower carb
inlet air temp.

www.ramairbox.com

http://www.ramairbox.com/install.html

[stinger]

One option would be to mill the heads. I think the general consensus is that the low compression is limiting you.

I recently read some threads on another site where a 9:1 440 with aluminum heads made 650 horse. my car will put a smack down on a buddy's 10:1 427 vette so it's not slow,neither is the vette. I just have fun doing the little mods.

cold air intake can get you 25+ hp.
1.5% power increase for every 10 degrees you lower carb
inlet air temp.

www.ramairbox.com

http://www.ramairbox.com/install.html

I was considering something like ram air. I don't want to cut the car up for it though and don't care for an aar hood or the price on a shaker. I do like the set up on the dart but wonder if it would work on my car.

[cudabob496]

works great on mine:

[Chryco Psycho]

If you wer to swap heads I would look at the new Twisted flow heads or the stealth as they have 70 cc chambers & will make up for the heat lost to alum + you gain the closed chamber , if you are down to 85 cc now the heads are milled about as far as you could go

[stinger]

works great on mine:

I know all to well how good ram air works as my set up back in the day I ran an aar hood sealed to the air box and noticed a big difference. If I could do it without cutting my car up I would but I spent way to many hours on the body to cut into it.
It is cheap horsepower though  .

If you wer to swap heads I would look at the new Twisted flow heads or the stealth as they have 70 cc chambers & will make up for the heat lost to alum + you gain the closed chamber , if you are down to 85 cc now the heads are milled about as far as you could go

Yes I've been keeping my eye on the twisties, they look to flow real well on lower lifts and drop some weight.

[Road_Runner]

I'm going to run a little steeper gear, either a 4.10 or 4.30 and an overdrive transmission, probably gear vendors.  Definitely help you pull harder with the engine you already have.

Later, Jim