Suggestions on 440 upgrades...

[gafletch]

Greg here in Cincinnati area wondering what suggestions you have on upgrading my '70 440 Cuda.  It's .040 over so about a 448 ci? Forged crank and rods, Lunati Bracketmaster II hyd flat tappet cam, M1 Mopar intake (7" high), Holley 750, Doug's headers, MSD ignition, iron heads with light porting, 727 manual shift auto, 410 Dana.
I figure low twelves right now. I wanna keep it streetable. Any suggestions on upgrades? ( I do have nos but it isn't finished yet).  I bought it already built like this.  Thanks, greg

[brads70]

I'd suggest a bigger carb. 850 CFM and either a proform or quickfuel. Here is what's on mine......

http://www.quickfueltechnology.com/carburetors-q-series/q-series-carburetor-850cfm-drag-an.html

[gafletch]

Nice carb!

[moparman82]

i would definitely look into some nice, aluminum heads!

[cudabob496]

a 750 Holley double pumper with mech secondaries is more than adequate for the street, for your engine.
what are specs on your cam.
Your iron heads are probably whats limiting your power, if they have not had much porting.

[72cudamaan]

Either port the iron heads some more or go with aluminum. Problem with aluminum heads is you need to raise the
compression a point or so to make up the compression ratio. An 850 would work much better than your 750. A good rule
of thumb is cubic inches times 2 to get your cfm's needed.

[cudabob496]

Either port the iron heads some more or go with aluminum. Problem with aluminum heads is you need to raise the
compression a point or so to make up the compression ratio. An 850 would work much better than your 750. A good rule
of thumb is cubic inches times 2 to get your cfm's needed.

Many articles say 2 X displacement minus 15%, for carb size.
my old 440 Cuda with ported 915 heads, and long duration purple cam, only needed a 750 DP.
But obviously, there are many opinions on carb size.  Most folks seem to want to put bigger carbs
on a motor to make more power, but what the engine really needs is more airflow, which is why
heads are a big key.  For the price of some Holley 850s, I think you can get high flowing alum heads.

To deal with the compression ratio and alum heads, just get alum heads with smaller combustion chambers, to
give you the needed CR. And run a hotter thermostat, since alum removes heat better from combustion chamber.

[MEK-Dangerfield]

But obviously, there are many opinion on carb size.

Agreed.

  Heck, you could put a 650 carb on your 440 and have it work.

If you want the most out of it...I have ported iron heads(906). Then a set of headers. A semi-radical cam and a Proform 850 carb, and I'm on my way.   

[cudabob496]

Agreed.

  Heck, you could put a 650 carb on your 440 and have it work.

If you want the most out of it...I have ported iron heads(906). Then a set of headers. A semi-radical cam and a Proform 850 carb, and I'm on my way.   

These days, a good port job on iron heads will cost you what new alum heads will cost, and the alum heads will still outflow the port job on the iron heads. Alum heads have all the latest features that cannot be achieved on iron heads, like raised ports, diff radius's, better combustion chamber design, spark plug location,etc.

[HP_Cuda]

You can go the aluminum head route but if you want to raise compression you would have to deck the block which means pulling the motor.

Overall, it improves flow.

Another avenue is to eliminate friction and go all roller valvetrain, this as well requires some block work but you can do just the lifters and rockers.

[cudabob496]

Can't you just get alum heads with smaller combustion chambers, without pulling the motor,
to raise compression ratio?

[Chryco Psycho]

There are a few choices of alum heads with smaller chambers , the best was Bulldog with a 78 CC chamber allowing high compression + quench , with a stroker build there are a better selection of heads to get close to 11:1 with quench , as well as using thinner head gaskets etc .
 The reality is oil is the friction using roller or non roller valve train , using needle brgs inside the rockers certainly reduces the contact area but about 90 % though , expect rocker shaft wear !

[cudabob496]

You can go the aluminum head route but if you want to raise compression you would have to deck the block which means pulling the motor.

Overall, it improves flow.

Another avenue is to eliminate friction and go all roller valvetrain, this as well requires some block work but you can do just the lifters and rockers.

There may be roller rockers and hydraulic or mechanical roller cams out there that will fit without you having to modify the block.

[cudabob496]

Agreed.

  Heck, you could put a 650 carb on your 440 and have it work.

If you want the most out of it...I have ported iron heads(906). Then a set of headers. A semi-radical cam and a Proform 850 carb, and I'm on my way.   

ya, 650 would work fine, but you'd probably run outta fuel/power above 5500 rpm.

[HP_Cuda]

There may be roller rockers and hydraulic or mechanical roller cams out there that will fit without you having to modify the block.

when changing out a roller cams it requires bearing changes in the block, rockers and lifters don't.