Need advise about 440

[General_01]

I have a 440. Here are the specs:

Block: .040 over
Pistons:  Muskegon flat top. Compression I never calculated. 10:1?
Heads:  Stock 452's.
Crank:  Forged
Rockers:  non-roller, adjustable
Cam:  Lunati 00032.   230* In/230* Ex, 109*LSA  .480 lift at valve for intake and exhaust
Intake: Torker II Single plane
Exhaust: Hedman Elite headers into 2.5 in exhaust with X-pipe
Carb:  Speed Demon 850 Annular w/mechanical secondaries
Transmission:  TCI Streetfighter w/ 2500 stall converter
Rear gears: 3.55

I am planning on pulling the engine out of the General with 3.23's and put it back in the Bee with 3.55's. I am planning to get aluminum heads from 440 Source or Edelbrock and roller rockers. I have a couple of questions:

1. Will advancing the cam help lower the power band. This cam is made for between 2500-6000 rpm.
2. The lift at valve is with 1.5 rocker ratio. Can I go with 1.6? Should I with new heads and bigger valve?

Just looking at options while I have the motor out this spring. Any advise is appreciated.

[firefighter3931]

I am planning on pulling the engine out of the General with 3.23's and put it back in the Bee with 3.55's. I am planning to get aluminum heads from 440 Source or Edelbrock and roller rockers. I have a couple of questions:

1. Will advancing the cam help lower the power band. This cam is made for between 2500-6000 rpm.
2. The lift at valve is with 1.5 rocker ratio. Can I go with 1.6? Should I with new heads and bigger valve?

Just looking at options while I have the motor out this spring. Any advise is appreciated.

The engine combo looks good but i would try to figure out what kind of compression this engine is making before doing any major part swaps. Any idea how far the pistons are below the deck surface ? Aluminum heads will want al least 10:1 static compression in order to reach their potential.

(1) advancing the cam will lower the powerband....a 4* advance will alter the powerband approx 200 rpm.

(2) With a good flowing head and a slow (lobe) cam profile like yours, the increased valve action/lift of a 1.6:1 rocker arm is a good idea. The increased lift and valve acceleration makes the motor think that the cam is bigger than it actually is.



Ron

[Duey]

might the TC be a little low for that combo?

[General_01]

Good. Then I am at least thinking in the right direction. I just need to check the compression to make sure it is 10:1 or more for the heads and get 1.6 rockers. Thanks Ron.

Duey, what do you mean by the TC being a little low?

[firefighter3931]

Duey, what do you mean by the TC being a little low?

A cam with that duration (230*@.050) will usually want a 2800-3000 stall but advancing the cam will help bring the cam's power range closer to the stall speed.

Also, when the engine's torque output increases....it ill also increase the stall speed. Those Stealth heads will make more torque than your 452's so with the cam advance and better flowing heads it should work pretty good, inmo


Ron

[Duey]

Gen, I was thinking what Ron mentioned, but his recommendation to advance the cam a bit is probably what the doctor ordered, without having to go spend $500 on a nice 10" converter.  Ron, I have to put all the goodies together in my beast, maybe once all the snow buggers off, I'll bring it by and we can do some tinkering...

Gen, you should have a really nice set-up when you're done!

Cheers,
Duey

[General_01]

Thanks guys. I have been crunching some numbers and think that I will have at least 10:1 compression with either of the new heads. Of course I will double check with measurements when I take the heads off, but I have been using max. numbers to caculate with. The big number I am not sure of yet is, of course, piston to deck height. I am definately going to advance the cam. We were not to sure when we put it in so we went straight up with it and said we would go from there.

Thanks again guys. I won't be doing this until spring, but I will let you know the results after it is done.

[Streetwize]

At 10:1 the comoression should work well with that cam and heads.

On a mid 3 geared B body I'm not a fan of the Torker II, it's a decent manifold but it's going t owant another 5-700RPM of stall to have good roll-on street power.

I'd run a performer RPM or even a Street Dominator, either one will work noticably better downstairs on your combo and be just as strong or stronger on top.

The Comp XE that is 231/237 @.050 on 110 split in at 106 would make a bit more overall power, Another great 440 cam is the 231/240 112 split Crower in at 107.

[General_01]

Thanks Streetwize. If I have some dough left I might give another manifold a try. The Torker II has been on this motor since I got it in 1989. Might be time to give something else a go.

[Duey]

What Wize said, Holley Street Dom is hard to beat!  General rule for RBs....."best" (all-around) dual = PerformerRPM, single = StreetDom.

[firefighter3931]

The RPM is definately the best choice for your build....but a 4 hole spacer under the carb can pay nice dividends in low speed throttle response with a single plane manifold. By increasing the vacuum signal to the carbs boosters you will make it snappier off idle.....when using a single plane.



Ron

[General_01]

I did have a 1" spacer in it when it was in the Bee originally. I took it out when I put it in the 69 because of hood clearance. I will definately do that again when it goes back in the Bee. Those Bulge hoods sure are nice.