Hansen Stage V conversion heads

[ChargerSG]

The quest for a cheap Hemi is still on Run across those Hansen Stage V conversion heads for 440 block to make a 426. Has anyone here any info on those, like have used them or know an friend who know a friend that have? How good are they, are they as simple as it sounds? What intake or Cam is to use with them, pistons?

[ChargerSG]

http://www.stagev.com/ i allready know so that link or http://www.popularhotrodding.com/enginemasters/articles/mopar/bigblock/0506em_hemi/ is not new, like for Hemis only is coverd to, im more after someone who have tryed them...

[69fuchs]

They are top quality heads, and flow crazy numbers.  You need more cubic inches to use them efficently.  They use regular 426 hemi intake manifolds.  The worst part about these heads is the raised exhaust port=home made headers.

The block will need to be clearanced for pushrods to fit.  426 hemi camshafts are used.  426 hemi pistons (custom bore and pin size) are used.  The oil pressure/return lines are external.

If you plan to make serious power, use a cross bolted mega block.  A stock 440 block will come apart rather quickly if serious power is made.

[ChargerSG]

I could guess that it would be crazy flow numbers in them. About the headers i dident know, with is best to custom 440 or 426 headers? The oil pressure/return lines i did know. I have a 69 Hp block, its a stock bottom heads are 70 and cam some bigger one(not know what since former owner died) would that Hp block stand stock 426 intake and cam? Not going for mad power here

[max]

you have to use a hemi cam as well since it is ground different then any other big block.

[ChargerSG]

I did know that it should be a stadard Hemi cam, it was more if it needed bigger than that, but thanks

[Mike DC]

 
The 440-to-Hemi conversion heads were done back in the days when nobody was reproducing the 426 Hemi block and it was the only way to get a Hemi motor.  But these days you have to evaluate whether it's a better deal to just put together a real Hemi motor from new Hemi parts.  If you're not careful you can spend 3/4 of the money for a real Hemi just for all the (440 conversion) parts.

 

[ChargerSG]

Ok, since he wants 4 k for them its cheaper to buy a block for 3k and heads for 2k, then its just what other stuff you put in there that setts the limit. Or i just buy new stealheads for 2 k and do my own coversion heads(like they did in the 70 and 80)

[max]

Ok, since he wants 4 k for them its cheaper to buy a block for 3k and heads for 2k, then its just what other stuff you put in there that setts the limit. Or i just buy new stealheads for 2 k and do my own coversion heads(like they did in the 70 and 80)

the 440 block will need mods for the stage v heads, you will need custom pistons which i heard isn't cheap plus the custom headers which i'm sure isn't cheap either then when it's all done you have 440 block that is weaker then a 426 hemi block and if something does go wrong down the road and you need parts for the stage v heads will they be available.

it has been awhile since i looked at the stage v heads but i think they use a weird valve size that is between a stock 426 hemi head and a wedge head which would add to the cost as well.

i looked into this years ago and the cost between building a conversion head 440 and a good 426 is about the same price so i decided to go with the 426 version coarse with all the stroker kits out today i wished i would have went with a 472 version.

the best advice i could give you is to research the price between the 2 set ups including everything from the top to the bottom and then make your decision.

[ChargerSG]

I will go for the real thing insted, its gonna take longer to collect parts but with 5k you get a new block and heads(just do some fishing on Ebay) and buy the other thing as i get money

[mean one]

For those who talk about something they know nothing about . I have those heads , they make high port heads and stock port heads , they make store bought headers for raised port or [ read ]  stock port location , in the stock port location heads they use stock sized valves imagine that , it's no big deal to install them , and it's half price , they have off the shelf pistons .  So all you jerks that only read magazines go back and read them . Stop putting out disinformation .  Thats bull sh...  for all you know it all's

[Troy]

For those who talk about something they know nothing about . I have those heads , they make high port heads and stock port heads , they make store bought headers for raised port or [ read ]  stock port location , in the stock port location heads they use stock sized valves imagine that , it's no big deal to install them , and it's half price , they have off the shelf pistons .  So all you jerks that only read magazines go back and read them . Stop putting out disinformation .  Thats bull sh...  for all you know it all's

I feel the need to comment here since I heard that exact same line from an engine builder recently when I questioned his choice of parts for *MY* engine. I was right of course and now the engine is at a builder who understands what I need as opposed to what he thinks I should have. The point I'd like to make is that just because someone disagrees or points out deficiencies/hidden costs in a particular approach doesn't mean they are ignorant or only regurgitate what they've read. Max and 69fuchs both have hemis and I know max built his from scratch (after investigating all of the various possibilities). Max has about $9k in his so if you can build and install an engine with these heads for under $4,500 I'd love to see it documented.

I have to wonder what makes someone dig up a thread that's over three months old with their first post. Affiliated with the product maybe? If so, a word of advice, it's better to politely and calmly explain the benefits of the product before slamming other people in public. That's the fastest way to get people to NOT buy a product (poor public relations skills). Even if you aren't affiliated then it's still good advice to offer an opposing point of view without attacking/belittling others. You'll be taken much more seriously and might even make a few friends or even learn something yourself.

Otherwise, welcome to the site!

Troy

[max]

For those who talk about something they know nothing about . I have those heads , they make high port heads and stock port heads , they make store bought headers for raised port or [ read ]  stock port location , in the stock port location heads they use stock sized valves imagine that , it's no big deal to install them , and it's half price , they have off the shelf pistons .  So all you jerks that only read magazines go back and read them . Stop putting out disinformation .  Thats bull sh...  for all you know it all's

not that i'm trying to stir up the bull sh...  but if they were all they were cracked up to be, there would be a lot of those heads and engines built. Hansen has even put them on the back burner as of now since everything is available for the "orginal Hemi" and that is where all his time is going to make his heads for the Hemi blocks.

actually i was truely greatfull that those heads came out and they were ready to fill a void when there wasn't anything being reproduced for the 426, if the new Hemi stuff hadn't hit the market then that conversion would have been VERY popular. 

i got my information from magazines when i was thinking about building one which i'm sure 99.99% of people do before they actually go out and buy anything so if i what i posted was wrong then i truely sorry, but the magazines is where i got it. 

to me it's nothing more then a generic or hybird version of the orignal so i guess it would be half the cost since that is what a person is buying is half of a version of the original.

btw. thanks for clearing up the misinformation about the conversion. 

[mean one]

You can build a hemi and stand behind it that will hold together and not out of used junk for 9 grand ?  Call Mopar [ they can't ], Barton , Arruzza, and the likes they need to know ! Or you need to go in business and become rich on all these POOR schmucks that can't afford one . I'm just lucky enough to have got what I have for  my collection . I've built several hemi's I know and I won't use ebag crap . I'd be willing to bet that 90 % of these good people haven't turned a wrench on a hemi and just want to learn . The reason I wrote is the b.s. if you don't know ask there are people out there that are glad to help this is the computer age . It's the one's that spread manure that ruin other peoples projects and can cause irreparable damage to this sport and they are my pet peeve .  I'm glad I signed up , I'll probably give more special high intensity training in the future . By the way i found this site and subject on the internet and had to comment . Ok now for your rebuttals

[max]

first let me clearify $9k was about 2 1/2 years ago and EVERYTHING in the engine is new except for the rocker arms and intake and i might add that none of it came from egag, i have a dealer in Neb that sells MP parts 15% over dealers cost.

i also didn't use the Hemi only damper and pulley set up, i had the engine completely balanced and used a stock style 440 thin damper and all the pulleys from a 440 so that saved a big chunck of change.

new MP block was $1700.00 for a 4.19 rough bore block.

the heads are Indy iron heads with bronze guides, 3 angle valve job, tephlon seals and one piece stainless valves which were $2075.00 they were complete minus rocker assembly to my door. which i know i could have done better now.

rods were Manely at $450.00

crank was NOS factory Hemi crank for $500.00 (i know i stole that one)

pistons were MP true 10-1 which i later found out they are 11.5-1 $310.00 shipped

rockers were used and bought them at the Nats for $600.00 for both sides

intake M1 single 4 bbl used $170.00 shipped to the door.

new MP chrome valve covers $230.00 so to replaced with black ones.

new MP spark plug tubes $50.00 shipped

new MP intake manifold bolts $50.00 shipped

new head bolts at $125.00 shipped to the door.

new MP cam/lifters, right box # but bigger cam inside $180.00

new B&M flexplate $85.00 shipped

new MP crank and flexplate bolts (8 bolt crank) $60.00 (?) shipped

crank, rods and pistons balanced $150.00

block bored to finished size $125.00

main and rod bearings Federal Mogal $100.00 through local parts store.

rings are Hastings and i did use stock iron types (didn't want it to smoke) $60.00

MP gasket set $100.00 shipped

repo exhaust manifolds $500.00 picked them up at the Nats.

new Holley 750 cfm carb and fuel line $350.00

Shcumacker engine conversion mounts $250.00 shipped to the door


what is listed above comes to $8220.00 and me putting it togeather myself. i'm sure i left some things out because i went through this before and it came in right around $9k but this was the sametime MP was selling those crate engines for over $13k so i saved a bunch of money doing it the way i did. 

coarse places like http://www.440source.com/ lists cranks for $500.00 for any stroke you want, rods between $390-410 depending on what grade you want and Ross pistons for $700.00 so there is about $1600.00 for a stroker engine that wasn't available when i built mine.

i know the blocks are around $2500 now so they have went up along with the rocker assemblies but everything else is still about the same price but here's another company that is building the hemi as well and it is more complete then the MP units for about the same price with better parts.

[mean one]

Good job .  But [ you knew that was coming ] how much for a block now ? if you can get one . and the list goes on . I  could play that also .  Look at what I bought for 2500 and it was complete but apart .

[mean one]

Whoops sorry about file size I still can't get that right

[RD]

I'm glad I signed up , I'll probably give more special high intensity training in the future

   

ya ever hear of the phrase, "you catch more flies with honey"?

[mean one]

Who me ?  never, not, can't hear .  I'm deaf from to much b.s. in my ears lol .  For all those young kids out there the quote of the day is " You don't know as much as you think you do shitter " . On to bigger and better things

[max]

Good job .  But [ you knew that was coming ] how much for a block now ? if you can get one . and the list goes on . I  could play that also .  Look at what I bought for 2500 and it was complete but apart .

i thought were talking about new stuff? 

yes, blocks are tough to find right now and a bit expensive but in a few months i figure the market will be flooded again just like when the first run of Hemi blocks that came out in the late 80's early 90's. they had a price tag around $2800-3000 and that price dropped off sharply after a few months.

i remember when i ordered my Hemi block, the fellow told me that the new restro 340 blocks were out and the strange part was the Hemi block was $1600 and the 340 block at that time was around $2200 so there is ALOT of mark up on these parts. 

coarse a debate like this could go on and on just like the question, can a person build the same or more HP with a wedge cheaper then a Hemi?

there are deals out there (nice score btw.) and i could have bought a very simular set up as yours with the exception the one i was looking at was a complete 1965 race hemi with cross ram instead of the fulie for $4500 but i figured i was jumping into a bunch of used up parts and decided to bite the bullet and go new instead of reworking someone else's used parts since there can be alot of hidden problems that can't always been seen with the naked eye.

coarse with alot of the new stuff there can be mistakes that need addressed as well. 

[69fuchs]

For those who talk about something they know nothing about . I have those heads , they make high port heads and stock port heads , they make store bought headers for raised port or [ read ]  stock port location , in the stock port location heads they use stock sized valves imagine that , it's no big deal to install them , and it's half price , they have off the shelf pistons .  So all you jerks that only read magazines go back and read them . Stop putting out disinformation .  Thats bull sh...  for all you know it all's

......enough from the peanut gallery already!!!

You should consider changing your user name to something more fitting like jack ass.

When I researched these heads they were actually available....unlike now.....ever try to get a response from stage v engineering?   Conversion heads are small potatoes for hansen.  Sure, they have standard port heads, all you have to do is convince them to run a batch.....I am young enough but I am afraid that you would die of old age before you could get your hands on another set.

Who carries 4.32-4.38 bore hemi pistons with a 1.03 pin size?

I am sure the header manufacturers have PILES of raised port, and/or wedge engine mount  headers on hand.  I am sure they are a big seller considering the mass quantities of these heads on the market! 

P.S. I built my entire hemi in 1995 for the same money that hansen wanted for their head/rocker set.  Could I do it today? No, but I can't get the conversion heads either.  I have a 604" wedge megablock just begging for these heads.  Who has them in stock?

[mean one]

Your piston pin size is a real winner ha ha  .  How many top alcohol teams use that size ?  Oh yea and they use 1.09 pin but that doesn't fit any thing we use especially in sizes 4.32 through 4.375 . And if you decided to put them on a 440 rod that would lower the compresion hight to 10.  to 1  because of the rod being .100 shorter .  So since you knew all that I'm only repeating it for someone that might want to save money.  Max I didn't single you out I was making a statement . I also tried to put humor in and lighten up things with the inference to the movie Christine when Arnie was taking to the old man Trying to buy the car and said the shitter quote but that got lost also  Now i tried to drop this in my last post with the statement of " on to bigger and better things "  but i guess it wasn't picked up either . Reasonable discourse is a good thing if you learn something .

[69fuchs]

I guess I have egg on my face.

Ok, who stocks hemi pistons with a *1.09 PIN*, good pin location for 6.76 rods, and a 4.32-4.38 bore?

School me on top alcohol pistons..........do they really use a 3.75 stroke/ 4.38 bore?  My friend's second cousin's uncle's mother said they were 500" + engines with very long rods (7.1"), and pin location in the ring lands. 

God, I just hate "disinformation".  The only thing that resembles manure on this forum is your delightful attitude.

"Arguing with a wanna be hemi mechanic is like wrestling with a pig in the mud.  Sooner or later you figure out the pig enjoys it"  Who? What? Huh?

[RD]

... Reasonable discourse is a good thing if you learn something .

I guess the question is then, have you learned something, or is it you already believe you know everything?   

[max]

For those who talk about something they know nothing about .

And if you decided to put them on a 440 rod that would lower the compresion hight to 10.  to 1  because of the rod being .100 shorter.

have you actually talked with anyone or built an engine using the 440 rods with a 12.1 Hemi pistons to achieve a 10-1 compression Hemi?

the idea sounds good, but with the piston being .100 lower on the rods causes it to be very unstable and wears the piston and blocks out very quickly because of the excess weight above the rod. from what i have "seen" from engines that have been built that way they usally get around 25-30k miles and start having internal problems not too mention they rev slow.