Recently took our fresh street 408 to the track, it is in a full bodied 67 Satellite, [3800 lbs] with driver. Went 12.35@108 with a soft tune and DOT street tires. I had quit the traction issue and will be adding large slicks next spring and looking to break the magic 110mph mark with some tuning..
J heads ported/polished, shaved .040, block decked .015. mopar thin head gaskets, heads 64cc.
Keith black low comp. pistons.
Eagle I beams.
Eagle cast internal balanced crank.
M-1 single plan intake with a 2" open spacer.
750 HP DP.
MSD 6al.
1 5/8 headman ceramic headers.
extreme energy comp cams solid 236/242duration, lift 501/511.
Crane gold 1.6 aluminum roller rockers.
4.30 gear.
9 1/2" dynamic converter.
Gets 16 mpg on 91 octane.
This motor was a budget build using all the old 360 top end with little changes other than less timing, @ 2" open carb spacer, and a much larger flex fan on the 408. Car runs only 2 mph quicker than the 360. However, the ET is about a half second quicker.
Short block costs? Machine work $800.00, included balance & blueprint. Cyls. punched .020, I assembled the motor.
Parts, crank $300.00, pistons half price from indy $200.00. I beam rods from mancini clearance, $129.00.
Gaskets, rings, bearings, new flex plate and balancer approx. $600.00.
In all the best running $2000.00 short block I have ever had, that includes a list quit long, including a 440 from yrs. past that ran 12.44 @ 108 with heads prepped similar to the 408's. The 440 eventually ran 11.96 with some very exotic 452's with the large 2.14/1.81 valves and 2" headers.
Certainly the 408 with upgraded heads, & larger headers would perform just as well.
Big difference? I get 6 more miles pr. gallon with the 408, and I can change the spark plugs in 5 minutes, compared to the hard to reach 440 plugs with large headers.. Besides the car handles like a dream with the small block..
Next yrs. plans for the 408? I am open to suggestions, want to go 11's and remain streetable..
Thanks
My vote goes to the 408.