440 build

[John Milner]

I'm going to start building a 440 for my '68 Charger and would like some input on my build.  I'm looking for something that should make around 500 hp and be a strong runner. 

Here is what I have to work with:

1977 440
Ported 906 heads with larger valves added, not sure on flow numbers. Valve springs will be matched to camshaft.
Stock rods with ARP bolts
I'm looking at TRW forged 6 pack pistons to give me around 9.75:1 or so on compression
Currently have a cast crank but can source a forged one if needed
Stock valve train
Currently have no intake, but am thinking a Holley street dominator/850 dp or Edelbrock 2x4's
Camshaft I am looking at is a Hughes 236/242 .546 .563  108

Does this look like a reasonable cam selection for my goals?  My car will be running a 4 speed and 3:90 gears.

[68CoronetRT]

This is almost exactly my build. I'm running a slightly smaller cam, but same 4 speed/77' cast crank 440 and 3.90 gears.

I dont know if the car is making 500hp at the crank. maybe? I do have the Stealth heads and the compression is 10:1. I like the Holley Street Dominator and was running a 770. I tried an 850 and it was too much carb. But it was also not very well tuned.

I bet with that cam you should be very close, I'm not an expert on the heads though. But the rest of the build looks pretty spot on.

Based on my 1/8 mile times I should be somewhere in the 500hp range, I can beat the newer Mustangs no problem (435hp but a heavier car), and running low 8's which is a high 12 second 1/4 time. Need to learn to power shift to really get a good ET, I granny shift and loose quiet a bit of time between shifts.

[BSB67]

This is almost exactly my build. I'm running a slightly smaller cam, but same 4 speed/77' cast crank 440 and 3.90 gears.

I dont know if the car is making 500hp at the crank. maybe? I do have the Stealth heads and the compression is 10:1. I like the Holley Street Dominator and was running a 770. I tried an 850 and it was too much carb. But it was also not very well tuned.

I bet with that cam you should be very close, I'm not an expert on the heads though. But the rest of the build looks pretty spot on.

Based on my 1/8 mile times I should be somewhere in the 500hp range, I can beat the newer Mustangs no problem (435hp but a heavier car), and running low 8's which is a high 12 second 1/4 time. Need to learn to power shift to really get a good ET, I granny shift and loose quiet a bit of time between shifts.

Post your mph and your hp can be estimated reasonably well

[BSB67]

I'm going to start building a 440 for my '68 Charger and would like some input on my build.  I'm looking for something that should make around 500 hp and be a strong runner. 

Here is what I have to work with:

1977 440
Ported 906 heads with larger valves added, not sure on flow numbers. Valve springs will be matched to camshaft.
Stock rods with ARP bolts
I'm looking at TRW forged 6 pack pistons to give me around 9.75:1 or so on compression
Currently have a cast crank but can source a forged one if needed
Stock valve train
Currently have no intake, but am thinking a Holley street dominator/850 dp or Edelbrock 2x4's
Camshaft I am looking at is a Hughes 236/242 .546 .563  108

Does this look like a reasonable cam selection for my goals?  My car will be running a 4 speed and 3:90 gears.

The big unknown is the heads.  And it makes a big difference in hp.  Actual chamber volumes is also good to know. 

The HD and 850 is fine.  You're cam's a tad small.

Spend some time looking at past posts, as your question is asked and answered about once per week, or so it seems.

[c00nhunterjoe]

You cant judge 9.75:1 co.pression without knowing what has been done to the heads as said by russ. If you are right at the 10:1 mark, that cam might be a bjt small for 93 octane. Lift is probably good for those 906s but a little more duration.  Need to choose a different grind to change your dynamic compression.

[68CoronetRT]

Post your mph and your hp can be estimated reasonably well

84mph in the 1/8. Problem is the trans doesn't like shifting at high RPM so the 1-2 and 2-3 shifts are ATLEAST a second each time. Plus granny shifting which power goes away and then comes back. I bet it has 87-89 mph in it with the right driver.

These mph's are also at 2,400 feet above sea level.

[BSB67]

The tranny thing won't effect mph much.

Using 85 mph, a DA of 3500' and a car+driver weight of 4000 lb - Puts you at 440 net flywheel hp at std conditions.

Using 84 mph, 2500' DA and car+driver weight of 3900lbs - Puts you at 410 net flywheel hp @ std. conditions.

You're probably in that range.

Depending on the amount of accessories that you are running, you could probably add 20 to 30 hp to estimate gross flywheel hp for comparing to what everyone throws around from their engine dynos.

[c00nhunterjoe]

The saginaw power steering pump has been dyno proven to cost 12-15 hp. Its amazing what comfort costs.

[68CoronetRT]

The tranny thing won't effect mph much.

Using 85 mph, a DA of 3500' and a car+driver weight of 4000 lb - Puts you at 440 net flywheel hp at std conditions.

Using 84 mph, 2500' DA and car+driver weight of 3900lbs - Puts you at 410 net flywheel hp @ std. conditions.

You're probably in that range.

Depending on the amount of accessories that you are running, you could probably add 20 to 30 hp to estimate gross flywheel hp for comparing to what everyone throws around from their engine dynos.

Dam! So 446ci,10:1, aluminum heads, decent cam, EFI and aluminum single plane is worth 25-40hp over stock. I think something is suspect with my cam timing then.

Also running the Saginaw pump so there is a decent lose there.

Maybe its time for a 512 build or throw a 150 shot at this motor. I want 550-600 crank HP.

[BSB67]

You have a nice running car.  Don't get caught up in the numbers.  You would run about 107-108 in the quarter mile.  Next time you go to a Mopar event that is held at a track, watch the stock-ish b-body 440s......you'll feel okay about how your stuff runs.

Factory 4 bbl 440 in the "high compression" years were about 330 hp at best.  They rarely ever broke 100 mph in the 1/4 mile (77 mph in the 1/8). 

And, if you get serious about track tuning your car, I bet you would find at least another 20 hp. 

[BSB67]

Here you go, directly from Ma Mopar herself (Direct Connection).

[68CoronetRT]

You have a nice running car.  Don't get caught up in the numbers.  You would run about 107-108 in the quarter mile.  Next time you go to a Mopar event that is held at a track, watch the stock-ish b-body 440s......you'll feel okay about how your stuff runs.

Factory 4 bbl 440 in the "high compression" years were about 330 hp at best.  They rarely ever broke 100 mph in the 1/4 mile (77 mph in the 1/8). 

And, if you get serious about track tuning your car, I bet you would find at least another 20 hp. 

Thanks for the insight! Yea, I guess going to the track and never seeing stock-ish cars run makes you feel kinda slow. But for the car/motor/year and what it is, its pretty peppy even by todays standards. Just sucks that everything factory has 400+ HP now.