How would YOU build a 440?

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    Author Topic: How would YOU build a 440?  (Read 20128 times)

    Offline RDF

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    How would YOU build a 440?
    « on: May 31, 2007 - 01:56:43 PM »
    It's that time were I start to get specs and ideas for my 440.  It's a 73 block and comes with stock everything except the cam, piston and rods.  It'll be getting a bath and x-ray next week to make sure the block is good to go b4 I start anything, but I am curious as to how everyone would build this motor based on a few factors:  400+ HP and a budget of 4-6k.  There's once catch with that budget;  I can't spend 1500 in one shot.  I'll be "buying parts" as I go, so it's tough for my wallet to see 1500 out the door at once, but I can save for it over the coarse of 2 or 3 weeks and then spend it without a problem.  I have no timeline on when this needs to be done, so I'd like to do it right.  I'll find a 727 trani that I will rebuild myself or find one that's cheap enough already done.  The Radiator and fuel lines will be replaced as well.

    I've got a 73 Cuda that I'll be putting it in and the car is a 2-3 day a week driver.  Ideally, I'd like something that will roast the tires for a good stretch and beat most 'stangs and vets to the next light.  Not looking for top-end speed as the car's suspension is 30+ years old and until I upgrade it, I won't be going too fast in it (100+mph).

    So how would you build it?  How far to bore it?  Stroker kit?  Ported heads?  Give me all the ideas you've got!  As anyone will know, the cheapest (but best products) will probably gain my attention.  I'm a sucker for "buy the best" but sometimes I can't always afford the best, so 2nd best will do in some cases. I'm also into neat things like cool looking fuel pumps, regulators, etc.  Anything to help make the motor run better and look good too.

    Here's what TacTransMan had for an idea:

    Edelbrock RPM Air Gap Intake
    Holley Street Avenger carb 870 CFM
    Roller rockers(don't go cheap)Comp Cams are nice.
    Stock heads with a "stage 1" valve/porting job
    Lunati Voodoo cam
    3.91 gears and a sure grip differential
    3000 RPM stall converter

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    Bob

    1973 'Cuda

    If we never drown we'll never know how well it tastes....So tell me how it tastes and I'll know just how well you drowned.

    My build:
    http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=45749.0


    Offline zerfetzen

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    Re: How would YOU build a 440?
    « Reply #1 on: May 31, 2007 - 02:02:59 PM »
    Although 440's were (under)rated at 375hp, somewhere there was a Wikipedia article claiming that 440's were between 400-425hp, I think regardless of whether or not it was a hp.  It sounds like if the goal is 400hp, you'll make that for sure, just rebuilding it stock.

    But assuming you want more than that, while staying on a budget, I can't tell you in details what a lot of people here can, but I can say that I just sold a 74 Barracuda (I'm still pulling hair) that had a mild 440, and I love that motor.  All the detail is in my signature below.  There can't be more than $1-2k in it in the worst case, since it's 90% stock.  The best guess is that, most conservatively, it made at least 480hp, but was never dynoed.  Cheers.
    « Last Edit: May 31, 2007 - 02:04:45 PM by zerfetzen »
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    Offline tactransman

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    Re: How would YOU build a 440?
    « Reply #2 on: May 31, 2007 - 07:30:36 PM »
    Bob, I see that they don't make an air gap manifold for a 440 (they are air gapped kind of naturally  :lol2: ) so I will change that to
    Lower RPM torque :Performer RPM
    Higher RPM torque: Torker II  :swaying:
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    Terry-tactransman 
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    Offline AMXguy

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    Re: How would YOU build a 440?
    « Reply #3 on: May 31, 2007 - 07:57:07 PM »
      I built mine to six pac specs, rods, cam ect. I'm sure there's better build up's out there but I figured this is a proven simple and stock way to go.
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    Offline EVIL72

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    Re: How would YOU build a 440?
    « Reply #4 on: May 31, 2007 - 08:19:55 PM »
     Get the summer 2007 Engine Masters book.
    They do a budget street /strip 440 build that gets 503 hp and 522 ft-lb of torque with a Holley street Dominator intake, stock valve size, pocket ported 906 iron heads, 830HP holley carb, a hydraulic comp cam XE285HL 241/247-degrees duration at 0.050 and 0.545-inch lift, Speed pro forged Six Pack replacement pistons, and a one inch 4 hole carb spacer, and 1 7/8 primary headers.
     If I get a 440 for my Challenger I'd really consider this build, it won't break the bank and it makes some good power.
     
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    ROB
    1972 Dodge Challenger 340ci
    1970 Pro Street Duster (Under Construction)

    Offline Chryco Psycho

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    Re: How would YOU build a 440?
    « Reply #5 on: June 01, 2007 - 12:02:09 AM »
    a killer combo is
    440 2355 speed pro pistons
     new rod bolts
    balanced
    Speed Pro  Plasma Moly rings
     Clevite / Micigan 77 brgs
    ported Iron heads with 1.81 exhuast valves
    Comp or Crane Ducile rockers 1.6 ratio , not alum
    Street Dom or RPM intake
    Mopar .528 solid cam
    1 7/8 headers
     should get you crank 550 hp 
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    Offline bb71challenger

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    Re: How would YOU build a 440?
    « Reply #6 on: June 01, 2007 - 12:19:58 AM »
    Quote from: Chryco Psycho on June 01, 2007 - 12:02:09 AM
    a killer combo is
    440 2355 speed pro pistons
     new rod bolts
    balanced
    Speed Pro  Plasma Moly rings
     Clevite / Micigan 77 brgs
    ported Iron heads with 1.81 exhuast valves
    Comp or Crane Ducile rockers 1.6 ratio , not alum
    Street Dom or RPM intake
    Mopar .528 solid cam
    1 7/8 headers

    Chryco, everything about this build is right up my alley except for 1 3/4 headers, I have Crane gold race rockers in the 1.6 ratio. I do have the 1.81 exhaust 2.14 intake valves and the mopar template ported 906 heads. The last thing is, is that cam too much for a street driven car with air conditioning and low stall? How much would I sacrifice going with a more docile cam and leaving the rest the same?
     should get you crank 550 hp 
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    Offline Chryco Psycho

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    Re: How would YOU build a 440?
    « Reply #7 on: June 01, 2007 - 12:25:46 AM »
    that cam is tiny , the duration is short , it idles well , don`t need a lot of stall with it
     this exact engine is in a friends car with A/C , cruise , but the 4 spd 833 OD
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    Offline bb71challenger

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    Re: How would YOU build a 440?
    « Reply #8 on: June 01, 2007 - 12:38:33 AM »
    LOL I love you power junkies calling over 500 lift cams "tiny"  :roflsmiley: Let me ask you this then. How often would I have to lash the valves if I were to go solid?
    er sorry if I seem to be jacking the thread, not my intention at all
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    nivvy

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    Re: How would YOU build a 440?
    « Reply #9 on: June 01, 2007 - 03:56:49 AM »
    That .528 cam rocks...with your 1.6 rockers you'll have .561 lift.....  :burnout:
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    Offline Mopar God

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    Re: How would YOU build a 440?
    « Reply #10 on: June 01, 2007 - 07:08:30 AM »
    The most successful street 440 we ever built was also one of the most mild. It produced over 400 horsepower and was very well mannered on the street:

    .030" 440 with forged TRW pistons

    Stock Rods

    .010" steel crank

    Stock 915 heads - 9.50:1 compression

    MoPar aluminum dual plane intake

    650 Holley Vacuum Secondary

    Mallory Dual Point 20° BTDC @ idle 36° total timing

    Large tube headers and free flowing exhaust

    Custom Camshaft .500"/.500" lift 226°/232° @ .050" on a 111.5° LSA

    I am planning on building a duplicate, from the 1988 engiine recipe, for my 1970 Challenger...Robert
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    Offline Chryco Psycho

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    Re: How would YOU build a 440?
    « Reply #11 on: June 01, 2007 - 08:47:47 AM »
    once the inital break in is done setting the valve maybe 3-4 times in the first 500 miles , once / year is typical to adjust them
     the .528 with 1.6 rockers lashed will only give you approx .530 lift , the funny hting is if you look at the duration which is what really counts it is smaller than the Hyd .484 cam by quite a bit , it does have a very mild idle & runs great
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    Offline moper

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    Re: How would YOU build a 440?
    « Reply #12 on: June 01, 2007 - 12:15:30 PM »
    That .528 is a puppy. But it makes some power. .500 lift cams are small. Plus, ionce you pull out lash (.028) this cam really gets small. My "default street car build is similar. i run KB hyper pistons, LY rods, whatever carnk is in it, good solid machining, stock heads with 2.14/1.81 valves and a 5 angle valve job. I run the old Crane H302-2 hydraulic, with whatever intake...RPM, M1 single plane, Street Dominator, 6bbl..whatever. Of 3 I've built that way (or similar): the 8.2:1 '78 (factory lower end) made 450hp and I drove it year round w/ a 6bbl. The 10.5:1 with ported 516s makes 480, and the 10.2:1 w/stock 906s made 450. All idle great, pull street gears in heavy cars, and never need valve train adjustments. It's very doable. 400hp is a stock rebuild with a cam basically.
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    Offline itsfred

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    Re: How would YOU build a 440?
    « Reply #13 on: June 01, 2007 - 07:13:07 PM »
    I was just wondering.... a stock 440 makes 375 hp, with cast iron manifolds stock carb ect.
      what kind of numbers do you get with headers, free flowing exhaust, aluminum intake,holley carb
      and an msd ignition? should be over 400 i would think just with exhaust alone?
         fred
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    Offline tactransman

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    Re: How would YOU build a 440?
    « Reply #14 on: June 01, 2007 - 07:22:08 PM »
    Hey Fred! :bananasmi
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    Terry-tactransman 
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    Give a man a fish and he eats for a day,teach him to fish and he eats for a lifetime.
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