need help on build 440

Do you know just how fast you are looking to go ? Because you can run 12's very easy with a basic stock rebuild and just a mild cam with the normal bolt on's. We had a 383 in my sons Dart that ran 12.30's at 110 and it was all stock internally other then the MP .484 cam. Had the normal headers , Eddy intake and 750 Holley DP. You can use the open chamber heads on the 71 motor as we used 1974 452 heads on the 383 and milled them to get 9.5 comp with the stock pistons. Try checking out this place also www.bigblockdart.com as its loaded with info you need. Yes its a good idea to balance the eng. I myself would just use a stock 440 rod and have them recondition. We used the MP .484 cam in the 383 and it worked very nice but we also used 3.91 gears and a tight 10" 3000 convertor. Feel free to ask us anythink as you get started on that cool car. Oh we did replace the 383 in my sons Dart with a 400 now ! Ron