440 build, I need some input

[Plym1948]

I am assembling a motor for my 74 Dart Sport in hopes of running a low 11 to high 10 sec 1/4, using parts I have sitting around, here is what I'm planning to use, 440 .030 over, speed pro 2355f pistons,.010 in the hole (its still in the machine shop so its not to late to have it zero decked) stock LY rods with new bolts, stock forged crank (balanced rotating assy) older .509 purple cam, 452 casting heads pocket ported using direct connection template kit, 1.81/2.14 valves, leaning towards an Eddy RPM intake and I'm not decided on carb.
The car, 74 dart sport back halfed,adjustable ladder bars, 8 3/4 spool 4:57 gears, 14X32 sneakers, 727 fwd manual valve body no torque converter yet, but I am figuring on an ATI Treemaster with around a 4500 stall.
What do you guys think? Am I on the right track? Any suggestions?

 

[sscuda]

Plym1948

I don't see this being as quick as you state but you are off to a reasonable start. You can always play with the valve train and top end hardware later on.

My only input at this point in time is "Don't neglect the bottom end." a 4 bolt kit or a girdle is almost a necessity for a ten second car. I prefer the Pro-Gram 4 bolt setup myself. It's a little pricey but it's bullet proof.

My 2 cents

sscuda

 

[dingo77]

i agree. if you dont build the bottom end for war it wont matter how great the top end is.

 

[1MeanA]

It doesn't look like a bad combo but I can't say whether it will develop the hp you need. The limitation will be the 509 cam and head flow. I wonder if you could do better on cam selection. It's probably worth investigating. As for the heads, I would see where you can get with them before spending more $$$ although you could say that about the cam too if you already have it.

 

[JoeDust451]

Sorry guys, but its hog-wash on it needing a 4 bolt or girdle, studed so-forth for a 10sec. A body, i ran high 10s with a nothing 451, Dartsport ran high 9s with his 451, the combo looks fine, but i don't see it going high 10s, or even low 11s, umless you get the car down to 2500 with you in it.

The 2255s will be fine (but there heavy), this won't help, all though the .509 is a cool cam, i think you'll want something better like an XE or a smaller solid, & it all depends on the weight of the car with you in it, i'd shoot for 3-3100 race weight, its not to do in an A body, but no heavier then 3200, this is what i had in a 75 Duster, & at the end, it pulled off a 10.87 @ 123.58 running lean & a crappy 1.62 60ft.

75 Duster, all steel & glass, just fiberglass bumpers & homemade brackets, 3090 race weight. My boney azz only weighs 150 lbs.

400 low deck- 451
Ross FTs, 9.73.1 with 91cc 906s
Steel crank, stock rods, ARP wave-lok bolts
7 qt. pan
Un-ported 906 heads, just a good VJ with stainless 208/174 valves (back-cut)
Comp. XE 284H hyd., installed at 105.5
1.5 Ductile iron rockers
M1 Single, swapmeet 750dp
MSD Dig. 6
1.7/8 FW headers, 4400 PTC conv., 4.11 spooled 8.3/4

No lie, it ran a best of 10.91 @ 120.56 on a 1.51 in the best air. shifting at 5600

After i pulled the heads, spent a load of time porting them myself, they flow'd 265 & 198 at .550 lift
Installed a Solid 543/529 250/256 @ 50 Comp. on a 108, installed at 104
Installed a Weiand TR with 2 600 holleys & alittle tuneing, the 1st. pass in the dead summer heat & crappy traction, it pulled of a 10.87 @ 123.58 on a 1.62 60ft. shifting at 5700

So its not hard to pull off 11.0s, high 10s, its all in the combo.
I had 250 passes on this engine, never an issue, a guy i raced with ran high 10s NA with his old school 440, & 10.2-10.3 on the juice (100 shot), he had a good 300 passes on his, & he didn't believe in 1/8 mile, all 1/4 for him.

Now its been proven that the lowdeck 451 runs alittle stronger then the 440 in the same combo with everything being equal, but if you don't mind running race gas, or its primarly going to be a race car, i would work on the bowls, radious the short turn, bring back the pushrod pinch about .100" & back-cut the valves, drop in a .590 MP solid, dome 12.5.1 slugs, 850dp, 4500 9.5 conv. (a good one), i'm sure you'll be in the 10s with a good tune.

 

[Plym1948]

Thanks, I guesse I'm a bit hopefull on the ET, as I said most of this stuff has been sitting in my garage and I am doing this on somewhat of a budget, this is just to get the RB set up in the car, and have a little fun with it. Once I get the Willys finished I wont mind dumping money in the Dart but for now its low buck race car, so you guys think I should add a 1/2 to a full second to my expectations? And what do you think of the Edlebrock RPM intake? (I can get one cheap) and, BG or Holley carb? (I can use this later so I dont mind spending for the carb) I thank you all for your input and advice

 

[SpeedThrills]

We used to run 11.60's in a 3950# (w/ driver) 71 Road Runner w/ a 440 6pk. It was a stock eliminator car, but the engine wasn't anything really trick. (The faster cars in D/SA, our class, run low 11's, some hi 10's) 11.60's in a 3950# car comes out to about 500 hp. (Use any online calculator.) With 500 hp and 3000#, you should be able to run hi 10's. I don't know if your parts will make 500 hp, maybe others can estimate. It's not hard to make 500 hp w/ a 440.
Those tires are too big. You have to drag those things all the way down the track.
If you have to buy a convertor, get the right one for your combo.