Help Needed: 340 Cam, Heads & Intake

[Carlwalski]

OK guys, I have decided to ditch the W2 heads, the engine builder from the previous owner said while they're a good head they are not an ideal street head. They love to rev and stay there and offer no real benefit from anything below 3,000rpm, above that? They go like the clappers.

I've decided to give my 340ci a well needed parts tune. The previous owner spent plenty and I'm going to finish the job. I know my cam is not good enough and could be a hell of a lot better. My engine builder recommended Engel cams or if I couldn't find them comp are more than suitable, but he was adamant that Engle were the preferred choice for him, so, I don't know my engines and will take his word on that.


My questions:

I am going to go with an Edelbrock Performer RPM head but not sure which model.
There are only two. 1) #60779 with a 63cc chamber size and 2) #60179 with a 65cc chamber size.

I heard an Edelbrock RPM Air Gap intake manifold was bang on for these heads and my carb/set up.
My carb is a Mighty Demon 650cfm, a very nice carb might I add.

Now, what size cam would I want? My engine specs are below. I would like an engine that gets up and goes early, say 1,000rpm-1,500rpm all the way up to 6,000rpm+. I don't mind a radical cam, but not "race" radical.

The engine builder said from memory the car had a very high compression, he didn't build the entire engine just what the previous owner could afford. He said it ha d a 13.1 compression, now even I know that's massively high. The engine will be keeping the stock pistons but getting a bore/hone? and new rings. The head bolts will be ordered with the heads and possibly some new roller rockers. I'm aiming for over 400hp, I feel with the right cam we should achieve this.

My Engine specs at the moment:


Cylinder Heads:

 - Factory W2 oval port intakes
 - D-Port exhaust
 - Extensive port
 - bowl and combustion chamber mods
 - Hardened exhaust valve seat inserts
 - Ferrea 2.02 intakes
 - 1.6 exhausts
 - Comp-cam 995-16
 - Valve springs 1.70" installed height, 130lbs at the seat
 - Comp cams 740-16 10 degree retainers & 10 degree valve locks
 - Crane roller rockers 1.5 ratio
 - Offset intake rockers, straight exhaust rockers
 - 450hp 340 Steel Crank
 - Penned rods
 - intake and headers all port matched
 - High volume sump and oil pump.

Camshaft:

Comp cams 20-224-4 extreme energy, 110 degree lobe centers, .488" intake valve lift, .491" exhaust valve lift, 230 degree duration @ .50" intake, 236 degree duration @ .50" exhaust. RPM operation range 1800-6000rpm. Comp cams custom length pushrods, comp cams hydraulic lifters. jr double row steel timing gear set. Estimated to be in excess of 370hp.

Carb: 650cfm Mighty Demon
Transmission: Keisler TK0-600 (0.82) 5-Speed Manual


Thanks for any helps guys.
CCC - Please, Pimp my ride!

[Jacksboys]

Sounds not far off from my 360 combo.

1.  If the pistons are flattops and level with the deck height, then I would go with the 63cc heads, but if they are domed pistons you may have to go with the 65cc heads.  You better find out exactly which pistons you have before you make the purchase. My 360 flattop pistons and 63cc heads should be around 10:1, so this combo on a 340 should be around 9.8:1 (I think).

2.  Make sure you have the ports on the intake matched to the heads because I had to do a bunch of work to get my RPM intake to match my RPM heads.

3.  I went with the 20-223-3 cam on my setup, which is one step below your choice.  I am running a stock torque converter and it has plenty of low-end torque, and also a ton of power to about 5500 RPM.   Since you are going to have a 5-speed, you should be able to get away with the cam above mine and have plenty of low-end torque.

4.  I think the 900cfm Demon would be a little over kill for that motor.  I am running a 600cfm Edelbrock and have a ton of power.  I would not go over 750cfm on that motor unless you run a six-pak combo.


*****Also another thing, make sure you check the valve-to-piston clearance.  I was going to run 1.6:1 rockers on my setup until I found out that I did not have enough clearance on the intake valves, so I had to stick with the stock rockers.   

[Carlwalski]

Thanks Jacksboys, good input mate. The carb is a 650cfm, sorry, typo. (fixed).
I will check what pistons I have and buy what I need.


Thanks once again. 

[Carlwalski]

After doing some searches it seems Neil loves his Engles and 308 heads?
He doesn't seem overly impressed with the performer heads at all......

The K56 seems a little "timid" for what I'm after, I think the K58 is ideal for what I want.
Moderate idle and a power curve from 2,000-5,000rpm. Agree? Quite a big step up from what I have currently. Actually, looking at my specs it has the same 230 degree at .50" ?

Where do I buy 308 heads from Neil and would you recommend them for my 340 combo?
Also, what intake manifold would I use and will 308 heads accept tti headers without mods?

I saw on one post you gained something like 41hp and 48ft-lb over j-Heads without any mods, just port work. I'll probably need to know what you did port wise to the 308 heads. You said they're bolt on, correct?

Sorry about all the fricken questions but it's better to do heaps of research first than go out and blow money on crap or parts that what play nicely together.............

Thanks,
Carl

[Carlwalski]

You have a PM/Email Neil. I may have found some 308 heads and need some help IDing them please.
From searching everyone says once you find 308 heads to increase the intake valve size to 2.02.

Sounds good, pick a good cam, some tti 1-5/8" to 3" headers and 2-1/2" exhaust.
All I'll need is help choosing a intake manifold (preferably a low to medium rise).

[Jacksboys]

1.  I would go with the RPM intake if you have the room.  I had to use a 2-inch air filter because I did not want to go with a drop base setup.  I also have the R/T hood.

2.  I have never used them before, but I know the Weiand Stealth is suppose to be a good intake (up to 6800rpm).

***Just remember to stay with a dual plane intake because it will help with low RPM torque.

[Carlwalski]

1.  I would go with the RPM intake if you have the room.  I had to use a 2-inch air filter because I did not want to go with a drop base setup.  I also have the R/T hood.

2.  I have never used them before, but I know the Weiand Stealth is suppose to be a good intake (up to 6800rpm).

***Just remember to stay with a dual plane intake because it will help with low RPM torque.

Thanks Jacksboys, that is what I am wanting most, to have lower rpm/torque rather than high (7K+) rpms.
I would like the lowest best performer intake I can get as I heard the lower the height the lower the max rpm better low end? As a rule of thumb? Not sure if that's true....... But also I have a 6bbl air cleaner set up custom made to fit a 4bbl and I need the clearance as it not only looks cool but does help air flow.

 

[Jacksboys]

Thanks Jacksboys, that is what I am wanting most, to have lower rpm/torque rather than high (7K+) rpms.
I would like the lowest best performer intake I can get as I heard the lower the height the lower the max rpm better low end? As a rule of thumb? Not sure if that's true....... But also I have a 6bbl air cleaner set up custom made to fit a 4bbl and I need the clearance as it not only looks cool but does help air flow.

 

That air cleaner looks great.  Where did you get it?

Also do not get the basic Performer intake because it has tiny ports and would not work well with an engine spinning over 5000rpm. 

[Carlwalski]

That air cleaner looks great.  Where did you get it?

Also do not get the basic Performer intake because it has tiny ports and would not work well with an engine spinning over 5000rpm. 

Thanks, it's a great piece. I got it from http://www.hybrid-fiberglass-solutions.com/home.html I forgot the guys name, I have his emails somewhere but he was super helpful and just a good guy.

 

[Jacksboys]

Cool thanks 

[Carlwalski]

No worries.


OK, I'm off to a great start I just purchased some NOS 308 heads, you wouldn't read about the timing!!
Now, I believe I need to increase the intake valve size to 2.02".

What I need now is an intake manifold. So far I know I need a dual plane for better lower rpm.
I am wanting to have lower rpm/torque rather than higher (7K+) rpms. I was thinking of a Mopar intake as the heads are Mopar as well? Yes? No?

What about a Mopar Performance M1 aluminum dual-plane manifold, it accepts all standard-flange Holley 4-bbl carburetors and fits all 318, 340, 360 small-block engines $244.00 from YO.

[woody9512]

I put an Engle K58 Hyd cam in my 71 Cuda 340 4-speed last spring and it runs great...nice lumpy idle and excellent power!!!....The acual lift is 514 / 514.....duration 231 / 231 via the cam card that came with it...I changed from a Comp Cam's Magnum type Hyd......the lift was 470 / 470.........and duration 224 /224 in my old cam.........it had a worn cam lope and as a result I had to change it.

"Tim"

[Carlwalski]

Thanks Tim, that's what I was thinking of getting (the K58).
Is it a "real" lumpy idle?    Or nice and streetable as far as idles go.....


Thanks for the input. 

[EVIL72]

 As for intakes I'd get the Edelbrock Airgap RPM, if you don't want the airgap then just get the RPM. Not sure if it's any lower, but either way they're great intakes.
 I'm not sure about hood clearance on a Cuda through, a drop down base would probably be wise.
  I only know what the MAX is on a Challenger with a Rallye hood.
 

[Carlwalski]

Thanks Evil. What about the M1 dual planes from Mopar? Are they a good flowing intake? Height?
I really, really, want to use my 6bbl/4bbl sixpak air cleaner set up.

With my 308 heads (2.02") what can I fit. Because they're a Mopar part can I basically run anything intake and header wise that a stock 340 or 360 can fitment wise?