#projectvertfish gets a 408 Magnum

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Mopar Vince

I'd rather push my Mopar than drive any Ford
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After my 340 spun the # 5 rod bearing at 80 mph, I decided to give project vertfish some more horsepower by the way of a Blueprint Engines 408 stroker Magnum crate motor.
Here is a short walk around on its maiden voyage.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/VpecjeYnXdFbwGdy5

20201115_125458.jpg
 
Sweet looking and sounding barracuda thanks for sharing. Your gonna need stickier tires those BF Goodrich are hard.
 
If it’s supposed to be near 500 hp, the 273 small port exhaust manifolds are are holding back some significant HP.

Might want to think about 340 exhaust manifolds or TTI Shorty headers some day as funds come up.

But I’m sure it’s night and day from the old 273 and fries the tires at will. And some day when that giddy smile wears off some, you’ll be able get a second one.
 
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If it’s supposed to be near 500 hp, the 273 small port exhaust manifolds are are holding back some significant HP.

Might want to think about 340 exhaust manifolds or TTI Shorty headers some day as funds come up.

But I’m sure it’s night and day from the old 273 and fries the tires at will. And some day when that giddy smile wears off some, you’ll be able get a second one.

I am kinda okay with the loss since I installed a TCI trans rated at 400 hp.
I might still get some later but Im just not looking forward to all of the "side effects" of headers like burned wires and dented header pipes.
 
I am kinda okay with the loss since I installed a TCI trans rated at 400 hp.
I might still get some later but Im just not looking forward to all of the "side effects" of headers like burned wires and dented header pipes.

TTI shorties aren't like that. Headpipe configurations are similar to you stock setup but bigger diameter 2 1/2”.

With street tires you’re trans will be fine. It’s a 727, right ?
 
TTI shorties aren't like that. Headpipe configurations are similar to you stock setup but bigger diameter 2 1/2”.

With street tires you’re trans will be fine. It’s a 727, right ?

Not a 727. I went with the beefed up 904 to keep things simple since I had just redone my driveshaft.
Its a convertible cruiser, not a racecar. But I do enjoy the occasional burnout.
If for no other reason than to apply some rubberized undercoating to the rear wheel wells just as the Chrysler engineers intended.
 
Not a 727. I went with the beefed up 904 to keep things simple since I had just redone my driveshaft.
Its a convertible cruiser, not a racecar. But I do enjoy the occasional burnout.
If for no other reason than to apply some rubberized undercoating to the rear wheel wells just as the Chrysler engineers intended.
Those aftermarket Magnum 500’s look great!
What brand and size wheels and tires are they, and did you run into any clearance issues?
 
Those aftermarket Magnum 500’s look great!
What brand and size wheels and tires are they, and did you run into any clearance issues?

The wheels are American Legend "Sprinter" series. They are available in small or large bolt pattern which is nice for a-body folks. I'm running 17x7 with 4.25" back spacing. I'm running bfg t/a 215/50/17 fronts and 235/50/17 in back. There was some rubbing in front initially but we were able to eliminate it during the alignment utilizing the available adjustment of the QA1 tubular upper control arms and QA1 adjustable strut rods. I also had some rubbing on the upper fender support brace inside the wheel well but was able to overcome that by unbolting it from the fender and bending the tab downward and reattaching it to give the tire more room to move up during compression.
Heres a link to Jegs where I sourced mine from...free shipping.
American Legend Wheels ALS177006PBF: Sprinter Series Wheel Size: 17" x 7" | JEGS
 
If you don’t mind saying which version of the 408 did you go with ? I am currently shopping for a crate engine have several companies in mind like you I’m more of a cruiser kinda person having a tough time deciding thanks
 
If you don’t mind saying which version of the 408 did you go with ? I am currently shopping for a crate engine have several companies in mind like you I’m more of a cruiser kinda person having a tough time deciding thanks
I went with the Blueprintengines stroker 408 based on the Magnum 360. Since it has a roller cam and rockers there is no worries about the cam going flat like with a flat tappet cam. I really like the version I got with a distributor and carb making sure the combo I have is how it was run on the dyno.
I mated it to a TCI Street fighter 904 torque flight using a B&M flexplate made for the externally balance 99-03 magnum 360. I had to enlarge one hole on my lower crank pulley to get it to line up. Another thing was the need to use the bolt on timing mark pointer from my 273 and to make the new mark on the harmonic to match because I used the early style short water pump with the lower hose to the radiator on the driver's side.
Performance wise, it is tame enough to drive daily but has enough power to light the tires at any time. I am super happy overall.
Here is the dyno sheet

Screenshot_20201229-101652_Photos.jpg
 
Be careful with all that power and a convertible especially when others drive the car
 
“Performance wise, it is tame enough to drive daily but has enough power to light the tires at any time.”

wow thank you for the info I’m also using a 904 with b&M flex plate hearing that puts me at ease of worrying the motor is too radical for a street drive to the local car show or cruise.
 
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