How much HP and torque?

[70challengerrt]

I have a 72 challenger coming in the shop over the winter. I guy wants a 440 put in it and quote wants to run with newer cars (mustangs) and not get his doors blowen off but also wants decent gas milage. I am putting in a 833 OD which will help with the milage and 3.54 rear end. He likes my set up on my challenger but mine has a stock 75 440 in it. What kind of hp and torque should I be looking for to get what he is looking for? I know he will be driving it on a semi regular basis so it must be reliable and he is not mechanicaly inclinded so I was figuring hydrolic cam. The motor will be mid 70s with 415 heads, no headers. I think the car should be about the same weight as my 70 about 3500lbs. I will post pics in "inside my garage" link when some mopars start to roll in. Right now its all fords in my shop.

[matt63]

The stock 440's peaked at 375 bhp at the flywheel in and around '68-71.  He'll probably need more than that to keep up with alot of cars these days but you can start with these specs as a baseline.  Upgrading the cam, intake and carb and perhaps heads doesn't make a lot of sense without adding headers though.

[IMNCARN82]

gotta' have dem headers...

[moper]

even with HP manifolds, the key thing is torque. uild for torque. Let the HP end up where it may. You/he'll be happy. Cams with more duration on exh, something like the various "268" cams, or similar will be fine. You're right in keeping it simple. Nothing worse than building in too much "go" and giving the owner headaches he doesnt know come along with it.