Max Wedge heads...are they worth it?

[Lightning]

would the Max Wedge heads be a good choice if I was shooting for about 600 HP at the wheels with a good midrange torque curve? (think dirt track usage, in corners a lot and such)  Could I use the Crossram intake that Mopar is reproducing with it?

I would be using a 440 stroker for the bottom end, probably a 10.5:1 compression or so.

If I didn't use them, would a set of good ported 906/915 heads work?

[Chryco Psycho]

the cross ram would work with max heads
I do not have much experience with max heads & for good reason , I don`t feel they offer much advantage for the stupid cost of getting a set & would rather spend $$ on new technology alum heads
I can make great power with iron closed chamber heads but possibly not enough for whayt you are looking for

[Lightning]

ok, what about Indy's EZ-1's?

[694spdRT]

What dirt track class is going to let you run a stroked 440 with cross rams?

[Todd Wilson]

What dirt track class is going to let you run a stroked 440 with cross rams?

Good question!  Whats he gonna do when someone motor claims him.   How is he gonna get that big block to go around corners. I had several friends years ago try various big blocks racing on dirt and they did nothing more then fish tail all the way down the track and barely made it around the corners with the nose so heavy.


Todd

[Lightning]

alright, alright. it's for my LeBaron. and it's for drifting, same principle as dirt, just  on pavement. I'm wanting to show the imports who's top dog.   After y'all get done givin' me the horse laugh, can y'all tell me how to do it with a B/RB motor?

[694spdRT]

Can't you build up a good 360 Magnum with a 4bbl that will accomplish what you want? I would think it would be a much easier swap in you car. You could build a stroked 360 Magnum and you will definately have the power. Probably much chepaer in the long run.

BTW: What does it take to drift...strong low to mid range torque would be my guess. 

[Lightning]

Can't you build up a good 360 Magnum with a 4bbl that will accomplish what you want? I would think it would be a much easier swap in you car. You could build a stroked 360 Magnum and you will definately have the power. Probably much chepaer in the long run.

BTW: What does it take to drift...strong low to mid range torque would be my guess. 

I know, but the problem is, I'm aiming for the pro series, and they're packing 800 horsepower Mustangs!  It's also for more than just drifting.  A couple of my goals are really out there (cracking the 200mph barrier anyone?), but just having a big block in the car would be cool.

[Lightning]

I forgot to post that they're using superchargers though........so I mention "drifting" once and everybody skeedaddles away?

[deputycrawford]

I have read about, and asked, my engine builder about the INDY EZ heads.  He has praise for them. You will get the coveted MAX HEAD size ports and more flow with the heat transfer properties of the aluiminum. You can't go wrong. 500 Cubes with 1 carb on pump gas will get 700 Horse power under the hood. You will find what you are looking for with the INDY EZ heads and lose some weight in the mean time. Go for the INDY's and move on.

[Lightning]

can I use a crossram manifold with those?


EDIT: actually, forget about the crossram...

would a 400 be better than the 440 dealing with exaust issues and such?  Mopar Muscle just did a 383 build where they used a set of CNC ported Indy EZ's and a 413 stroker crank and got 625hp before it blew up (they neglected to upgrade the oiling system...)

my M-body could've come with a 400 after all...

[andyf]

Is this what you're thinking about?  This motor is 505 inches with the Indy EZ heads and a the Mopar Performance cross ram.  These are the same Indy heads that were on the 383 stroker motor that I smoked on the dyno.  Stay tune to Mopar Muscle and you'll see the dyno tests on this new motor.  We're shooting for 700+ hp and yes the oiling system has been upgraded on this block.

[Lightning]

Is this what you're thinking about?  This motor is 505 inches with the Indy EZ heads and a the Mopar Performance cross ram.  These are the same Indy heads that were on the 383 stroker motor that I smoked on the dyno.  Stay tune to Mopar Muscle and you'll see the dyno tests on this new motor.  We're shooting for 700+ hp and yes the oiling system has been upgraded on this block.

I cannot tell ya how much my mouth is drooling looking at that thing!

are y'all shooting for 7,000+ RPM with that thing?

(i think I'll start saving my pennies....)

[andyf]

Not with the 4.250 stroke crank.  This motor will probably have a peak hp at 6000 or 6200 so no reason to twist the tail up to 7000 rpm.  The Max Wedge setup isn't really a good system for high rpm use since it is designed more for the mid-range.  Especially on a 500 inch engine.  I think the torque peak will be down around 4500 rpm on this motor even with a 270 at 050 cam.

A motor like this would actually make a good drifting motor since the cross ram gives you a ton or torque.  It might run better with EFI though than twin carbs.  If you had it set up right it would make 500+ ft-lbs from 2500 to 5500 rpm.  My 470 motor made more than 500 ft-lbs at the rear tires from 3300 to 5000 rpm with a Perf RPM manifold and a 800 cfm Eddy carb.  The cross ram and more cubes should pick up the numbers over that 470 combo.

[Lightning]

what carbs are on that thing anyway? those look like Edelbrocks...

[andyf]

They are Edelbrocks.  800 cfm AVS style.

[Lightning]

  I thought so.


question: since I'm going with a B/RB motor, can I set it farther back in the engine bay than I would a LA motor? (since the distributor's not in the back, like the LA's is.)

[Lightning]

anyways, I'm glad I put these two threads up, I've learned quite a bit from them.  Thanks guys!

[Rolling_Thunder]

I thought so.


question: since I'm going with a B/RB motor, can I set it farther back in the engine bay than I would a LA motor? (since the distributor's not in the back, like the LA's is.)

depends on how far you are willing to go with the car...     you can set the engine in the back seat if you want...      the 400 would be a better idea...    600hp at the wheels ?  why go with a crossram ?  they arent exactly great street manifolds....      guy in my car club is putting down 680tq to the wheels with his DAILY DRIVER ==  completely streetable running on 91 octane and running a single holley with a dual plane intake....        this is with a 496

[Lightning]

well, the Crossram, like the Six-pack, has that "wow factor", u know?

Anything that winds up on my cars (here and in the future), is either purely for functional, or for a laugh...the crossram idea would be for both.

[Rolling_Thunder]

but the point im trying to make is that it is not all the functional

[Lightning]

I realize that.   I've been thinking of the B motor idea more since I wouldn't have to worry about the headers having to go around the steering shaft, so a 383 or a 400 might be the way to go.


question: 383 vs 400, which would be the better way to go initially?

[Rolling_Thunder]

400 - can buy a stroker kit to make it a 496...    biggest bore of all the big blocks...   

[Lightning]

I knew the 400 had a bigger bore, but I didn't know it had the biggest one out of all of them...how much more can it be bored over?

[Rolling_Thunder]

.060"  so im told

[Lightning]

if I go with the 400 and the Indy heads, with a stroker crank (displacement ending up at about 471-ish), and the compression ending up at about 11:1, which cam should I use?  one of Lunati's "voodoo" grinds? 

[deputycrawford]

You might try calling Engle and see what they suggest. They seem to have a satisfactory lift versus duration design. Do you want to go Hydraulic or solid?

[Lightning]

well, it's gonna be more of a race than street motor, so I was thinking solid.  it might see less than 2000 miles of street driving each year, mostly just to and from events (maybe to Atlanta and Carisle next year if its together in time.)