440 in late A body

[1975dartswinger]

I know this is a dumb question, but I'll get everybody's opinion. I pretty much know what it takes to put a RB motor in an A body (a 75 dart actually), which is special motor mounts (it is a 318 car so no K frame issues), a big block trans, and obviously a beefier rearend. Am I forgetting anything? Could someone tell me what kind of manifolds to use/headers? I don't want fenderwell headers and even a 383 will make a this car move in a hurry. And one last thing, how hard is it to get to the spark plugs? If its too difficult I'll just stick with a 408 but I want the torque of a big block.

 

[Mopower71]

Plugs are hard to get to with the pro parts headers, and you have to cut a hole on each fenderwell for 1 tube on the passenger side and 2 on the drivers side.
You'll also need a driveshaft for it. I was lucky enough to have had one that was the right size. Don't know where it came from.
You need radiator with the correct inlet and outlet.
A shifter.
The torque is deffinatly worth it.
Check these guys out. There's a great load of tech here
http://www.bigblockgart.com
If you go with a 383 you can massage a set of B-body headers and make them work.

 

[1975dartswinger]

I don't want to cut up my car, and I know you can make 500 hp with manifolds. Mr. Norm did it with the GSS 440 Darts, so I figured I can too. Still does anybody know how hard it is to get to the plugs?

 

[Keith Mopar]

I don't want to cut up my car, and I know you can make 500 hp with manifolds. Mr. Norm did it with the GSS 440 Darts, so I figured I can too. Still does anybody know how hard it is to get to the plugs?

I beleive Mr Norms Darts had fender well headers on them as all the magizine articals at that time said what a poor turning raduis that they had.
However TTI headers fit like a Glove (tight glove) and no cutting and they sit up nice and high (no ground clearence problems. Plugs are easier to get as well. I had the pro part headers and filed the holes in when I went to TTI headers.
I'm also sure you could make 500 hp with the schumaker shorty headers as well. so there is a cheaper option for you.

 

[littleman66]

in my eyes. to make a small block with 425 hp has twice the cool factor

 

[ProStreetDuster]

Go big block!!!, you won't regret it!

 

[1975dartswinger]

Yeah they had poor turning radius because tires would physically hit the headers. So the big question is: How much does it cost to swap to a 440? To build a 450 hp 408 will cost me $6000 from Speed-O-Motive and then the associated parts. A near stock 440 will make that plus the torque advantage. But at what cost?

 

[WONTGETDUSTED]

JUST BUILD GOOD HEADED ,LIGHT AS YOU GET PISTONED 400! YOU GET A THE BIGGEST BANG FOR YOUR BUCK PLUS YOU GET THE LOW DECK SO FITTING IT WILL BE A LITTLE EASIER. MY CAR WILL GET THE GOOD RUNNING 440 AT FIRST WHILE THE STROKER 400 IS BEING PUT TOGETHER..HAVE YOU PRICED 440SOURCE'S STUFF? YOU COULD BOLT TOGETHER A 500 FOR THE $6000 YOUR TALKING ABOUT SPENDING ON YOUR 408 THAT WOULD BLOW THE SMALL BLOCK SOCKS OFF! HELL BUILD A 500 WITH STOCK HEADS AND CAM AND THE 500 WOULD PROBLY MAKE 8 BILLON FT LBS:cheers: JUST OFF IDLE ON 87 OCTANE IF THATS ALL YOUR LOOKING FOR...

 

[1975dartswinger]

sounds like everybody says that the power is worth it. on a note, it's hard to find the good low deck 400's with the thick mains and it would be easier to find a pre thin wall casting 440. Does anybody know a good place to locate a good core, or better yet a running engine? By the way mid-low 11's is my ultimate goal at 4300 ft altitude. Even better if it could do that on the street

 

[WONTGETDUSTED]

If Low Mid To High 11 's Is Your Goal . You Dont Need A Thick Main 400 Block ....a Regular 400 Block Will Do Fine. If Your That Worried About It Get Some New Main Caps Or Just Buy A Girdle And Ride!