Car Craft 440: 527hp, 557 torque

[zerfetzen]

I saw this article at Car Craft's website, and hope it helps somebody as a reference.  I don't know if this link will work, or how long it will work, but here's where I got it (http://www.carcraft.com/techarticles/ccrp_0611_performance_engine_combinations/mopar_performance.html):

Proven Horsepower Engine Combinations - 500hp Engine Combos

Mopar 440ci
Since the mid-'60s and the introduction of the RB engine (raised block), Mopar guys have had it pretty good. The venerable 440 has always been a relatively cheap, reliable source of horsepower and torque. Enthusiasts devoted to other brands have to pay extra for things that are stock on the Chrysler big-block, such as an external oil pump and shaft rockers. The skirted block, although heavy, provides a very stable bottom-end platform, and the cavernous crankcase lends itself to the addition of various stroker cranks without much fuss. However, since stroker engines can be expensive, do you really need the extra inches to make 500 street-friendly horsepower and 525 lb-ft of torque? That's the question we put to Mike Johnson at JMS Racing Engines in Monrovia, California. Johnson says, "No problem, with modern cam profiles and cylinder heads, 500 hp and 525 lb-ft should be relatively easy, and it shouldn't cost too much, either."

Johnson suggests the use of Edelbrock Performer RPM cylinder heads. Used in conjunction with stock replacement KB Silvolite hypereutectic pistons, the closed-chamber design of the 84cc heads provides a great quench area to deter detonation and puts the compression ratio at 10.3:1 when the pistons are at zero deck height. The heads can be used right out of the box with a Performer RPM manifold.

Johnson tells us the LY connecting-rod forgings are plentiful, inexpensive, and reliably capable of handling much more than 500 hp when equipped with quality hardware. Pre-'73 440s all have forged cranks that also will handle the load, so we used these essentially stock components.

Lunati ground the cam using some lobes designed specifically for the Chrysler lifter. As most Chrysler guys know, the large 0.904-inch lifters allow for faster ramp rates and higher lift without the penalty of long duration times, and Johnson planned to take advantage of this. He wanted the torque curve to be flat, with peak horsepower coming in below 5,800 rpm, so he chose a solid flat-tappet cam with 239/243 degrees of duration at 0.050 and 0.536/0.547-inch lift. The exhaust flow of the Edelbrock head is good enough that a larger split between intake and exhaust duration isn't necessary at this power level. The cam was ground with a 110-degree lobe separation and an intake centerline of 106 degrees.

On a dyno, this combo made 527 hp and 557 lb-ft. The peak horsepower was achieved at 5,600 rpm, and the peak torque occurred at 4,100 rpm, making over 500 lb-ft from 2,900 rpm all the way to 5,500 rpm. In fact, the average torque throughout the entire pull was 529 lb-ft. Even with all that power, it still pulled 12 in-Hg at an idle, just perfect for the street.

JMS Racing Engines
Monrovia, CA
626/357-2718
jmsracing.com

Parts List
Description   PN   Source   Price
Edelbrock RPM Chrysler heads   60929   Summit Racing   $1,359.00
Edelbrock RPM manifold   7193   Summit Racing   199.88
KB Silvolite pistons   KB237   Summit Racing   313.99
ARP rod bolts   135-6402   Summit Racing   51.88
Lunati cam/lifters   custom   Lunati   169.95
Crane 1.5 rocker arms   64790-1   Summit Racing   349.95
Holley HP 950   80496-1   Summit Racing   679.95

[colocolino]

Has anyone tried this or know of anyone doing so??

[70sixpkrt]

That is some what like my build:

440 bored .030=446
KB 237 pistons .003 deck height
Forged crank .010 under
Eagle 4340 H-beam rods
Comp is 10.25:1
Eddy heads 84cc with stage 1 and bowl blend
Straightline Cam 234/242@.050 540/525 solid with 112 lsa (4* built in) installed straight up
6-pack aluminum manifold with stock carbs. (Using ProMax stuff)
Comp pro-magnum 1.5 rockers with 3/8 Smith Bros. pushrods
TTI 1 7/8 headers with 3" X cross-over exhaust to the tips
MSD 8546 dist.
MP MSD 6AL

It was dynoed at 491hp/535 torque.
I was told with a little more tuning it would have gone passed 500hp.

[Rolling_Thunder]

I have done this exact build EXCEPT I swapped to an Engle Camshaft...       Customer wanted a hydraulic cam instead of the solid stick...      end result was 539hp @ 6000rpm  /  548tq @ 4000rpm

Engine made over 500tq from 2000rpm - 5500rpm...      all together the exact same thing as the above build but with a street friendly hydraulic cam         

[Chatt69chgr]

Which Engle Camshaft?  And if you changed from std, what were the specs?

[Rolling_Thunder]

Used a K58/K60 on a 110*LSA

[Chatt69chgr]

thanks for the cam info.  Those are impressive numbers for a non-stroked engine.  My build is very similar.  440 30 over, 4340 Eagle H-beams 6.760, stock forged crank turned 10/10, stealth 84cc heads with new Comp 10 degree locks and retainers, diamond forged flat tops with -4cc valve reliefs, zero deck, static compression 10.3:1.  Using the Hughes shaft mount roller tip rockers and Hughes no-name cast valve cover for clearance.  Cam is Engle K56.  Intake is CH4B with Quick Fuels Technology 770cfm, and stock HP manifolds, MP dist and orange box, Melling HV oil pump, aluminum water pump housing with increased flow water pump.   

[Rolling_Thunder]

seems like a good build - as long as you don't use the hughes' camshafts you'll be alright   

[sixty-niner]

do you all think you could get similar numbers from this build using the stealth heads instead of the eddy's? 

[Rolling_Thunder]

From what I have learned the Stealth heads flow less than the eddy's for sure...      the number's i've got  (Source Stan Weiss)

Eddy's @ .600" Lift: 292cfm intake / 223cfm exhaust

Stealths @ .600" Lift: 265cfm intake / 188cfm exhaust

So there is room for improvement on flow on both heads obviously but assuming these numbers are correct and you want to build the SAME engine combination...     you'll not make the same hp or tq...     my little program spits out 477hp / 542tq

[maxwellwedge]

seems like a good build - as long as you don't use the hughes' camshafts you'll be alright   

I have used Hughes hyd. cams the last few builds - they seem to be performing well - Have you had problems with them?

[Rolling_Thunder]

yes i have - I have fun 3 of them and they all went flat...    they blamed me for improper break in because i did not use "their lube" -  but I broke in the engle cams the same way without problems...     

I know a few people run hughes cams without issue - its just my luck i guess   

[Chargerfreak]

Has the price of the heads dropped so much? On the Summit site they're 735.50 now. Am i missing something?

Greets,
Chris.

[dstryr]

That price is per head, not a pair, unfortunately.  I think they've been around $1400/pair for quite a few years.

[Chargerfreak]

Ok didn't see that yet


Thought i was lucky lol

Chris.

[1Bad70Charger]

Used a K58/K60 on a 110*LSA

Can someone post up a link where this camshaft can be purchased and what are the intake, exhaust durations, and lift specs. at .050.

Thanks! 

[Troy]

Used a K58/K60 on a 110*LSA

Can someone post up a link where this camshaft can be purchased and what are the intake, exhaust durations, and lift specs. at .050.

Thanks! 

The article says "a solid flat-tappet cam with 239/243 degrees of duration at 0.050 and 0.536/0.547-inch lift". I don't see any cams with those specs at any of the usual places but you can order direct from Lunati.

Troy

[1Bad70Charger]

Used a K58/K60 on a 110*LSA

Can someone post up a link where this camshaft can be purchased and what are the intake, exhaust durations, and lift specs. at .050.

Thanks! 

The article says "a solid flat-tappet cam with 239/243 degrees of duration at 0.050 and 0.536/0.547-inch lift". I don't see any cams with those specs at any of the usual places but you can order direct from Lunati.

Troy

Thanks Troy,

Would that be on a 110 lope seperation at 0.050?

[RD]

MP makes a 296/296 557lift cam.. maybe a more affordable option.

[1Bad70Charger]

MP makes a 296/296 557lift cam.. maybe a more affordable option.

What are the specs on that cam at 0.050 intake/exhaust and LSA?

Thanks!  

[SeattleCharger]

 
                 
                             

[1Bad70Charger]

Used a K58/K60 on a 110*LSA

Can ANYONE kindly post up all the specs. on this cam, intake/exhaust/lift/lsa at duration of 0.050?

Thanks in advance! 

[METROID]

 

Does anyone know (or can guess) what kind of head gasket was used for this article?

With Compression being 10.3:1 this build would run fine on pump gas right?

What about MPG (estimate)?

[Ghoste]

Pump gas shouldn't be an issue and mileage wouldn't be either.  

[Cooter]

MP makes a 296/296 557lift cam.. maybe a more affordable option.

I take it that is a flat tappet cam and what are the specs on that cam at 0.050 intake/exhaust and LSA?

Thanks!  

Also,

DO most guys on a budget just end up going with aftermarket flat tappet cams when they cam up a stock 440 vs. hyd. roller or solid roller, b/c its cheaper and you have to change less valve train components?  
Unlike a SB Chebby, the Chrylser guys have to get off around $1500.00 to fully rolerize a 440..SB Chrysler is worse with the oiling mods and such..

This is why I don't go with roller sh*t..otherwise, all my engines would be rollers...

Also, on a 1970 440 engine, rebuilt to stock specs., what are the total components one needs/should use when swapping out to the following: (Valve Springs, retainers, lifters, rockers, push rods, doulbe  roller timing chain, etc., etc.,)

1. Aftermarket Flat Tappet Cam
2. Solid Roller Cam
3. Hyd. Roller cam