What do you think about this 440 (493 stroker)?

Author Topic: What do you think about this 440 (493 stroker)?  (Read 6128 times)

Offline 70cudaFun

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What do you think about this 440 (493 stroker)?
« on: March 09, 2017 - 01:13:36 PM »
Block: Chrysler 440, seasoned, bored to 4.360”.
Crank: SCAT 4340 forged, 4.125” stroke, internally balanced, 6 bolt flywheel flange.
Rods: SCAT 4340 forged, H-beam, 6.760” length, ARP bolts. 
Pistons: Icon forged, +23.70 dish, 10:1 compression.
Rings: Hastings, moly, 1/16”, 1/16”, 3/16”, file to fit.
Bearings: Clevite H-series Tri-Metal.
Camshaft: Comp Cams hydraulic flat tappet, .545/.545 lift, 241/247 duration @.050, 110* lobe separation angle.
Lifters: Federal Mogul flat tappet.
Pushrods: Comp Cams hardened.
Timing set: Cloyes double roller
Rocker Arms: Comp Cams Pro Magnum roller shaft rockers.
Cylinder Heads: 440 Source Stealth, 2.14/1.81 stainless swirl polished valves, ARP head bolts.
Oil Pump: Melling high volume.
Intake Manifold: Edelbrock Performer RPM.
Carburetor: Edelbrock 800 cfm.
Distributor: 440 Source, electronic, ready to run.
Gaskets: Fel-Pro

Dyno proven HP is 525hp & 590TQ.  I'm entertaining the idea of buying this crate since I may have someone interested in buying my stock 440 motor for a fair price.  As you can see in the parts used above, they are not the top of the line Trick Flow heads, 505 or 512 stroker kit or a Lunati Hydraulic Roller Cam most of the guys go with.

I'm looking for specific feedback on the type of cam this has and if this seems like more of a mild cam or will it provide that lopey cam idle sound that rocks and rolls.  As you can tell, that's what I'm looking for.   :drool:

Thank you in advance.




Offline mrwfp

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Re: What do you think about this 440 (493 stroker)?
« Reply #1 on: March 09, 2017 - 08:07:07 PM »
I would check with the folks at 440 Source about using that cam with their heads.  I have a Lunati Voodoo flat tappet cam in my 440 with a .494 intake and .513 exhaust and that is getting close to the edge of what can be used without their heavy duty spring keepers. They will be able to tell you if any issues can be expected.

Offline HP_Cuda

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Re: What do you think about this 440 (493 stroker)?
« Reply #2 on: March 09, 2017 - 08:16:09 PM »

The stealth heads have springs that only go up to .510 lift, after that you have to install different springs.

Seeing as you have a .545/.545 - you should look into this.
1970 Cuda Clone 440 4 speed - sublime green
1970 Cuda 383 4 speed - yellow - SOLD

Offline 70cudaFun

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Re: What do you think about this 440 (493 stroker)?
« Reply #3 on: March 09, 2017 - 11:36:28 PM »
I would check with the folks at 440 Source about using that cam with their heads.  I have a Lunati Voodoo flat tappet cam in my 440 with a .494 intake and .513 exhaust and that is getting close to the edge of what can be used without their heavy duty spring keepers. They will be able to tell you if any issues can be expected.

Thanks, will do.

Offline Chryco Psycho

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Re: What do you think about this 440 (493 stroker)?
« Reply #4 on: March 10, 2017 - 07:04:15 AM »
Seems like a decent build although there are a few things I would have done differently
 Watch the Melling HV pump , if you are using a stock oil pan all you want is the stock volume high pressure pump
 Heads are decent check the retainers etc , I would use 10* not 7 *
 Cam will work OK , there is more HP available if you want to swap it out
 I assume the carb is the AVS thinder series not the AFB series either way I would use a Proform carb .

Challenger - You`ll wish You Hadn`t

Offline MoparJunkie

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Re: What do you think about this 440 (493 stroker)?
« Reply #5 on: March 10, 2017 - 10:34:08 AM »
That setup is similar to what I had built (still need to fire my engine up, lol). I have roughly 7k into my build, so depending on how much you are buying it for and what you might not like or people suggest, you might want to swap out or just go with your own build instead.

I'm running the next step up .564 lift cam (instead of that .545). If I had to do it all over again a lot of people seem to like the lunati cams, but your cam like mine is decent. With yours leaving a bit more left on the table than mine.

I'm also running eddy rpm performer heads which have been ported and will flow much better than your your stealth ones. I'd call 440 source like others have said and let them know about the setup. Especially the heads and that cam lift. I have also heard the same about the high volume oil pump, and that all you want is a standard one pump with a standard pan.

I'll be looking into proform (950cc or so) myself for carbs, again I've heard others like them as well.

If it's a super cheap stroker build, it might be worth it to redo some things (Heads, cam swap, pump etc), but that all depends on how much power you want with the first priority making sure that all the components in the build work well enough together. Good luck!

 My 2 cents (I'm a noob though so take what I say lightly lol)

Offline 70cudaFun

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Re: What do you think about this 440 (493 stroker)?
« Reply #6 on: March 10, 2017 - 07:44:19 PM »
Seems like a decent build although there are a few things I would have done differently
 Watch the Melling HV pump , if you are using a stock oil pan all you want is the stock volume high pressure pump
 Heads are decent check the retainers etc , I would use 10* not 7 *
 Cam will work OK , there is more HP available if you want to swap it out
 I assume the carb is the AVS thinder series not the AFB series either way I would use a Proform carb .

Hi Chryco,

Thanks for the feedback.  I'm not sure if this crate motor will have a stock oil pan but if it does, I will make sure the oil pump is a stock one too.  What feedback do you have on the cam on how to get more reliable hp? 

Offline 70cudaFun

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Re: What do you think about this 440 (493 stroker)?
« Reply #7 on: March 10, 2017 - 07:58:11 PM »
That setup is similar to what I had built (still need to fire my engine up, lol). I have roughly 7k into my build, so depending on how much you are buying it for and what you might not like or people suggest, you might want to swap out or just go with your own build instead.

I'm running the next step up .564 lift cam (instead of that .545). If I had to do it all over again a lot of people seem to like the lunati cams, but your cam like mine is decent. With yours leaving a bit more left on the table than mine.

I'm also running eddy rpm performer heads which have been ported and will flow much better than your your stealth ones. I'd call 440 source like others have said and let them know about the setup. Especially the heads and that cam lift. I have also heard the same about the high volume oil pump, and that all you want is a standard one pump with a standard pan.

I'll be looking into proform (950cc or so) myself for carbs, again I've heard others like them as well.

If it's a super cheap stroker build, it might be worth it to redo some things (Heads, cam swap, pump etc), but that all depends on how much power you want with the first priority making sure that all the components in the build work well enough together. Good luck!

 My 2 cents (I'm a noob though so take what I say lightly lol)

Appreciate the feedback MoparJunkie.  I too am new and learning daily.  I'm curious about the 950cfm carb you are going with.  Is that an appropriate size for your current build or are you going with an oversized carb for future changes? 

Nothing is super cheap about these cars, especially the engine, lol.  My current options as it stands is to build my 1973 block 440 with all the right components (440 source stroker kit, Lunati Hydraulic Roller, Trick Flow Heads, etc) to make about 600hp+ or buy a crate motor with the parts I listed in my first post on this thread for a more conservative, more street friendly car with good, not amazing, components.  The price difference is about 3k between buying a crate vs building a monster motor.  The machine shops in my area are pretty pricey for engine builds but I guess that's the case for any machine shop anywhere.

Offline Chryco Psycho

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Re: What do you think about this 440 (493 stroker)?
« Reply #8 on: March 10, 2017 - 09:59:28 PM »
well for how often you will use max power saving 3 k is probably well worth it  I am sure you will have enough power .
 Even when the specs are virtualy identical between manufacturers I have seen significant differences in the way the cam run & make power .
 there is a long story why I mostly use Lunati , but there are some other good cams out there as well . the Comp cam will work but there is more power available , but mybe not enough ot make it worth swapping the cam out .

Challenger - You`ll wish You Hadn`t

Offline 70cudaFun

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Re: What do you think about this 440 (493 stroker)?
« Reply #9 on: March 13, 2017 - 10:55:55 PM »
well for how often you will use max power saving 3 k is probably well worth it  I am sure you will have enough power .
 Even when the specs are virtualy identical between manufacturers I have seen significant differences in the way the cam run & make power .
 there is a long story why I mostly use Lunati , but there are some other good cams out there as well . the Comp cam will work but there is more power available , but mybe not enough ot make it worth swapping the cam out .

Thanks Chryco.  At this point, I'm leaning towards just building it to my exact specs unless I get a decent offer on my 440 motor. 

Offline MoparJunkie

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Re: What do you think about this 440 (493 stroker)?
« Reply #10 on: March 15, 2017 - 08:40:36 PM »
Appreciate the feedback MoparJunkie.  I too am new and learning daily.  I'm curious about the 950cfm carb you are going with.  Is that an appropriate size for your current build or are you going with an oversized carb for future changes? 

Nothing is super cheap about these cars, especially the engine, lol.  My current options as it stands is to build my 1973 block 440 with all the right components (440 source stroker kit, Lunati Hydraulic Roller, Trick Flow Heads, etc) to make about 600hp+ or buy a crate motor with the parts I listed in my first post on this thread for a more conservative, more street friendly car with good, not amazing, components.  The price difference is about 3k between buying a crate vs building a monster motor.  The machine shops in my area are pretty pricey for engine builds but I guess that's the case for any machine shop anywhere.

I just used a calculator and asked others given my cars specs what I should run. Chryco has said great things about Proform carbs so I likely give them a call when I get around to getting a carb and see what they have to say based on my setup. The machine shop that was recommended in my area cost me roughly the same as having a crate engine. I'd personally rather just have the engine built locally and with parts I want in the engine, but a 3k difference is quite a lot.

Offline 70cudaFun

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Re: What do you think about this 440 (493 stroker)?
« Reply #11 on: March 17, 2017 - 03:17:11 AM »
I just used a calculator and asked others given my cars specs what I should run. Chryco has said great things about Proform carbs so I likely give them a call when I get around to getting a carb and see what they have to say based on my setup. The machine shop that was recommended in my area cost me roughly the same as having a crate engine. I'd personally rather just have the engine built locally and with parts I want in the engine, but a 3k difference is quite a lot.

Yeah, the 3k price difference is really apples vs oranges when it comes to the heads, cam, lifters, roller rockers, etc.  For example, a 440 source stroker kit with Trick Flow heads, Lunati Hydraulic Roller & lifters is close to 5k alone.  Add everything else up to your motor build in addition to the machine shop charging you for labor/assembly, you could be at 9k-12k for a 440 stroker motor.  Crate motors aren't using the greatest parts and from what I hear on CC, they are also not assembled perfectly all the time as well but they are around $8,300 complete from most places.  Something about building your motor to your EXACT specs is really appealing and fun though.  :jumping:

Offline HP_Cuda

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Re: What do you think about this 440 (493 stroker)?
« Reply #12 on: March 18, 2017 - 02:36:45 PM »

Spending $$$ on the motor will help you out in the long term. As previously stated, using crate motors is a crap shoot and they cut corners on parts to make more money so.....

I didn't even build a stroker motor but ended up north of 11k into my motor and she runs sweet and I have the piece of mind that I can spin her over 6k and not worry = Balanced and Blueprinted.
1970 Cuda Clone 440 4 speed - sublime green
1970 Cuda 383 4 speed - yellow - SOLD

Offline CUDA8U

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Re: What do you think about this 440 (493 stroker)?
« Reply #13 on: April 19, 2017 - 01:27:48 PM »
 I would buy a short block from a well known shop,add your prefered cam,heads,carb etc There are many members that prob have nice used parts if you are wanting to save a few bucks. I may have some parts soon once I figure out my direction on my 512.

Personally I would follow any/all recommendations CHRYCO is willing to share. Hell ,get him to do the complete build :bananasmi




First thing I would do is fire that eddy carb in the garbage.
« Last Edit: April 19, 2017 - 01:29:41 PM by CUDA8U »

Offline 70cudaFun

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Re: What do you think about this 440 (493 stroker)?
« Reply #14 on: April 19, 2017 - 01:46:01 PM »
I would buy a short block from a well known shop,add your prefered cam,heads,carb etc There are many members that prob have nice used parts if you are wanting to save a few bucks. I may have some parts soon once I figure out my direction on my 512.

Personally I would follow any/all recommendations CHRYCO is willing to share. Hell ,get him to do the complete build :bananasmi




First thing I would do is fire that eddy carb in the garbage.

I have a 440 block and am debating building it up or buying a complete crate.  I have heard many cons of buying a crate.  However, where I am at least, building a 440 by a reputable shop is very $$$.  Luckily I'm a little ways away from deciding on which route I need to go on the Engine so I have some time.

Anyone selling a motor from a reputable builder on here by any chance?  I agree that Chryco is the man and I will reach out to him for sure as well.