Author Topic: 440 Lunati cam selecton  (Read 5936 times)

Offline rmsolimando

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440 Lunati cam selecton
« on: January 22, 2017 - 04:09:32 PM »
I am looking to do a heads and cam swap with in the next month. I am torn between the Lunati Voodoo 10230703(60303) and the 10230704(60304). The engine is a stock 70 440 inside. I took the heads off and measured everything, It worked out to 9.7:1. If I use the edelbrock RPM 440 (75cc) head I should be at 10:1 compression. It has 4.10 gears and a performer RPM intake. The engine currently has a mopar 509 cam. It has very little low and power and this is a street only car. Will both cams above have better street manners? One other consideration, the pistons have no valve reliefs and are .08 down in the hole, do you think the 10230704(60304) cam would even clear? Any advice would be great.





Offline 1 Wild R/T

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Re: 440 Lunati cam selecton
« Reply #1 on: January 22, 2017 - 07:17:00 PM »
If your piston is .08 in the hole with a 75cc chamber & a flat top piston it calculates to a true 9.5....  You have enough gear for the bigger cam & a decent intake... Your call but honestly I'd go with the smaller cam since even with 4.10 gears you find the 509 soft... Err to the milder cam & enjoy the torque.... :2cents:
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Offline HP_Cuda

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Re: 440 Lunati cam selecton
« Reply #2 on: January 23, 2017 - 02:29:46 AM »

Too many unknowns here to say.

What is your compressed head gasket thickness? (affect compression ratio)
Are you starting with a standard bore? Are you taking it to .30 over?

More info is always better!  :woo:
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Offline 73restomod

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Re: 440 Lunati cam selecton
« Reply #3 on: January 23, 2017 - 03:05:41 AM »
Try to find a cam with higher lift but lower overall duration, don't forget custom grinds, I would look for a cam with specs similar to this in your shoes.

Overall Duration should be around
268-278 intake
272-282 exhaust

Duration @ .05lift should be around
227-233 intake
233-239 exhaust

Lift is where this gets tricky....
Normally I would say look for as much lift as possible at those numbers, BUT you have factory pistons with no valve reliefs so lift should stay under .525 on the IN/EX valves, and even then clay the pistons and measure the thickness with the cam you have now; here's why, if you check the current cam setup (also using the new heads of course because valve depth may differ) and have say .100 (remember we are dealing with included angles between the valve and piston here so be ready with your trig skills) you could in theory get .020 to .25 more lift and still be at a safe .060 piston to valve clearance. Now for more math, if you change the head gasket thicker or thinner from stock, this will also affect the final clearance.

Now If you want to play it safe a cam like Lunati's 10230703 would be a great street cam make huge bottom end torque, have great mid range, and still pull well up top, but if you have the room Lunati's 10230704 would get my nod, if you happen to have miles of room, or get some pistons with a valve relief, you could throw some 1.6 ratio rockers on it down the road and bump the lift to .547/.568 lift to liven up the top end... a lot:)

I know a lot of guys don't like using higher ratio rocker arms, but I love doing it. You can get substantial lift gains with minimal duration increases. Going from a 1.5 to a 1.6 only adds about a degree and a half of duration overall lol, but could mean extra 30 to 40 horse if the heads can support it.
« Last Edit: January 23, 2017 - 03:22:44 AM by 73restomod »

Offline rmsolimando

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Re: 440 Lunati cam selecton
« Reply #4 on: January 23, 2017 - 01:22:36 PM »
Thanks for the reply's. it is .30 over. If i did change the pistons to something like below, would i have to have the engine balanced?

http://www.jegs.com/i/Keith+Black/648/KB236KTM.030/10002/-1?CAWELAID=230006180000866733&CAGPSPN=pla&CAAGID=15769068431&CATCI=aud-194567928791:pla-176567284631&gclid=CILwiOXv2NECFZaFswodK-oFuQ

Offline 1 Wild R/T

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Re: 440 Lunati cam selecton
« Reply #5 on: January 23, 2017 - 01:53:10 PM »
That piston is a step dome & isn't compatible with the edelbrock heads....  And with the 906 iron head it will have to much compression to be happy with pump gas....
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Offline usraptr

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Re: 440 Lunati cam selecton
« Reply #6 on: January 23, 2017 - 07:52:02 PM »
I'm currently running the Lunati 10230704 in my 440.  It's a new build and I've only done the initial break in so I can't tell you about it's street manners but I can tell you it sounds like a pretty radical cam, especially with open headers.  :bigsmile:  However, I am running a 440 source 512 stroker, Holley dominator single plan aluminum intake, Pro Maxx 84 cc chamber aluminum heads and a quick fuel 880 CFM carb with vacuum secondaries and PRW 1.5 rockers.  My block is bored .30 over and decked.  The 440 source pistons are dished.  I don't have any problem with valve clearance and the pistons.  I running the A833 4-speed and dana 60 with 4:10 gears.  Personally, if you're running a pretty much stock lower end I would go with the 703 Cam.  You can also email lunati and tell them what you are running and they will suggest a cam for you. They recommended the 705 for my build but I opted for the 704 since I have power disc brakes and wanted a little better vacuum for the power booster. 
« Last Edit: January 26, 2017 - 10:08:29 AM by usraptr »
1970 Plymouth 'Cuda.  Matching numbers 440 U Code, 4 speed pistol grip, Rallye dash, AM 8 Track, Shaker hood, 15 inch rallye wheels, Dana 60 4.10, Super Track Pak.  One of 134 - 440 "U" coupes codes built in 1970 and one of 100 - 440 Super Track Paks built in 1970.

Restoration pictures at:  http://spanks4thememory.smugmug.com/Cars/70-Cuda/7240639_M24oi#465274575_2MBqW
(Edited 8-1-17)

"usraptr" = United States raptor - bird of prey = United States Bald Eagle.  FYI, somebody else thought of it first so I had to drop the "O" in raptor.

Offline Chryco Psycho

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Re: 440 Lunati cam selecton
« Reply #7 on: January 24, 2017 - 08:46:25 PM »
I believe you will be impressed with the 702 or maybe the 703 cam

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