Picked up my core, now help with 408

[chargd72]

It's a little early for this project since I just finished my 318 build last year but I got a great deal on this 360 magnum shortblock.  Came out of a '96 Ram 2500.  I got the block, crank, rods, pistons, roller cam, lifters, oil thru pushrods and mounts for $50!   My plan is to eventually build a 408 stroker but I need to finish the body work and get the Charger on the road then I can build the engine as a side project while I can drive around.  So I'm in no hurry for parts and will be looking for good deals but I'd like suggestions to help me get what I want.  I'm looking for something around 550 ft/lbs of torque and I want it to be reliable.  I plan to drive it as a street car.  So please share your experience/knowledge to help me achieve this goal.  I'm willing to drop some coin on some well built aluminum heads but I also need help on the little things like: can I use the stock roller lifters and push rods?  Do I need to convert to a 4 bolt main to make sure it's reliable or is 2 bolt ok?  I do plan on getting it magnafluxed before I start with anything.  Feel free to add whatever you think might help.  I've only built one 318 so I'm sure this will be a completely different animal.  Thanks.

[chargd72]

A couple other things I know will be different going to a magnum block vs an LA is the manifold which I already have.  The RPM air gap has holes for both head angles.  I will be switching the oil pan since those are different.  Also, I know there is no mechanical fuel pump.  Is it better to get the converter or do I need to go electric?  

[RIDGERACER383]

Seeing your doing a 408 I think it would be easier to go to a electronic fuel pump and upgrade your lines to 3/8

[Chryco Psycho]

I am not sure what heads are available other then the Magnums , you cannot run LA type heads as there is no oiling for the rockershafts , Lunati has some killer street roller cams , I am not sure if they are listed in the catalog , it would have to be a new catalog in the last 24 months or so , the stock lifters will work with most street rollers , Lunati can help with that . I would use an electric fuel pump as the easiest route .

[chargd72]

I am not sure what heads are available other then the Magnums , you cannot run LA type heads as there is no oiling for the rockershafts , Lunati has some killer street roller cams , I am not sure if they are listed in the catalog , it would have to be a new catalog in the last 24 months or so , the stock lifters will work with most street rollers , Lunati can help with that . I would use an electric fuel pump as the easiest route .

Edelbrock makes aluminum heads for magnum engines 1992-2003.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/edl-61779/applications/make/dodge?prefilter=1

Thanks for the cam suggestion.  Any ideas on what would be a good torque grind?

Seeing your doing a 408 I think it would be easier to go to a electronic fuel pump and upgrade your lines to 3/8

Noted, thanks!

[JB400]

I believe Mopar done a set of aluminum heads called the R/T heads.  Dunno if there is any difference in flow, but there is in weight.  Might be worth a check

[chargd72]

I believe Mopar done a set of aluminum heads called the R/T heads.  Dunno if there is any difference in flow, but there is in weight.  Might be worth a check

R/T heads are just run of the mill cast iron magnum heads.  Nothing special.

[Troy]

I have a set of the Mopar aluminum Magnum heads. They are NOT the same as the R/T head. Nor are they the same as the "Large Port Commando" head put out by Mopar. They are very hard to find (possibly because Mopar priced them out of this world) and I sort of just stumbled into them. The Edelbrocks are probably your best bet. Everyone seems to be happy with them - even straight out of the box.

Troy

[chargd72]

I have a set of the Mopar aluminum Magnum heads. They are NOT the same as the R/T head. Nor are they the same as the "Large Port Commando" head put out by Mopar. They are very hard to find (possibly because Mopar priced them out of this world) and I sort of just stumbled into them. The Edelbrocks are probably your best bet. Everyone seems to be happy with them - even straight out of the box.

Troy

Thanks Troy.  Would they need to get some work to get the numbers I'm looking for?

[Troy]

Maybe? I haven't the slightest idea. The Magnum heads are already the best flowing production small block head ever produced by Mopar. The stock 5.9 Magnum short block with a good cam, Performer Air Gap (or single plane), and headers should easily get you into the upper 300s in HP and torque. The limiting factor for the cam is whether you keep the EFI or not. Otherwise, you can go crazy with it.

Adding in the stroker kit gives you a lot more torque down low (helpful for heavy cars) and more power across the board - as long as you get it enough air. At your desired power levels you probably want to make sure you are using forged parts. Heads become more important here. As to whether you need to modify the heads, I don't know. I have no intention of trying to max out an engine for the kind of driving I do. Others here have a lot more experience.

Kamkuda has a "mild" 408 stroker in his 70 Cuda:
http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,49736.msg542916.html#msg542916

This may help:
http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,20564.0.html

Troy

[chargd72]

Maybe? I haven't the slightest idea. The Magnum heads are already the best flowing production small block head ever produced by Mopar. The stock 5.9 Magnum short block with a good cam, Performer Air Gap (or single plane), and headers should easily get you into the upper 300s in HP and torque. The limiting factor for the cam is whether you keep the EFI or not. Otherwise, you can go crazy with it.

Adding in the stroker kit gives you a lot more torque down low (helpful for heavy cars) and more power across the board - as long as you get it enough air. At your desired power levels you probably want to make sure you are using forged parts. Heads become more important here. As to whether you need to modify the heads, I don't know. I have no intention of trying to max out an engine for the kind of driving I do. Others here have a lot more experience.

Kamkuda has a "mild" 408 stroker in his 70 Cuda:
http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,49736.msg542916.html#msg542916

This may help:
http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,20564.0.html

Troy

Thanks for the links. Seeing what others have done always helps.  And yes, forged internals were part of the plan.  But after doing a little more research my goal may be a little ambitious.  Nevertheless, I want it to be a torque monster. 

[Troy]

To be honest, the 5.9 works well in stock form as it was built to push around a 4,500 pound (empty) truck with enough torque to pull a load. Drop it in a 3,800 pound Charger with better flowing intake and exhaust and you end up with more power and better mileage! However, small block stroker kits are probably the biggest bang for the buck in all the Mopar world. If you have to rebuild any way it's hard not to justify the extra expense.

As much as I'd like to say this site is the best for information about Chargers, we're pretty light on content regarding the newer drive trains. I've found the best information on modifying 5.9 Magnums on truck sites. Those guys keep the EFI, cats, and all the other street legal parts and still post some very impressive 1/4 mile times in heavy trucks with the drag coefficient of a barn. A friend of mine has a 408 in a Ram 1500 and the biggest problem is keeping it going in a straight line on the street. Another friend has a 408 in his 3/4 ton mud truck with 36" tires and you'd never know it was a small block.

Troy

[chargd72]

Great response! Thanks troy. I'll poke around over there and see if I can dig up some more info.  As always, I'll keep you guys posted with any progress.