To me, If you keep both engines in the 350-400 hp (which seems like it) my guess be a coin toss probably very similar performance, 440 should be capable with a little work to get decently well into the 400 plus hp range and would definitely be the better choice at that point. So to me 400 hp and less 360, over 400 hp 440.
Brainstormin' 440 vs 5.9 ...
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I think the Wallace calculator says I'm at 340 hp right now, for whatever that's worth. Seems about right though.
For the sake of theatre don’t do anything to the 440. Swap them out as is and let’s see what it’ll do. Then go chase hp, maybe by then some parts may bloom from the parts tree.
TT5.9mag
Two atmospheres are better than one
In my mind it certainly is, at least without doing more work than it sounds like you’re willing to spend $$ on.
Nope it won’t. They don’t make power, and they don’t run passed like 4800 rpm. Too many cubic inches for the dismal head flow and compression. They do make good torque but that doesn’t equate to low ETs. And on top of that they add a bunch of weight over a small block.
TT5.9mag
Two atmospheres are better than one
Please do explain. My experience is exactly the opposite.
I’m thinking a RV 440 with a 4 barrel, headers and a good timing curve will dog walk that 360.
I wished it worked like that. But I'm always on such a time constraint that I usually get one shot at these projects.
It'd have to run better than a 12.91.
440's that I expected to do something weren't RV 440's. I haven't ever asked a RV 440 to get up and go... but all being equal I would think the 80 cubes would be something
LOL
TT5.9mag
Two atmospheres are better than one
Those 80 more cubes are trying to drink through the same size straw.
But if both are making similar power and torque and the 440 has heavier external/internals I think the 360 would have the advantage or at least be similar.
TT5.9mag
Two atmospheres are better than one
Yea.
velocity would be high !!
Watch the birdsong video I posted. He put a motorhome 440 in his 74 B body. It ran 13.2 at Tucson. Then he says, but i unmotorhomed this one. It’s got 1970 440 pistons in it. And 915 closed chamber heads. AND ITS STILL A TURD!!
They flow similar but doesn't the 440 heads have bigger port csa and volumes ?
383/440 heads seem to be able to make more power stock than sbm even with similar flow.
33IMP
Well-Known Member
I think the 440 that you are planning will be slightly faster than the 5.9. I DONT think the difference will be worth the time and money and work invested in making the swap.
With some more compression, and some better heads, then I would make the swap, but I think the 440 would have to be modded a bit more than you are planning, to make a significant difference.
Your 5.9 runs real well, for what it is!
Edit: imo, the torque advantage I would expect from the 440 over the 5.9, will not show up on the strip, because of the 4.30 gear. If you were running a 3.23, I would be more confident in the 440 being faster than the 5.9.
With some more compression, and some better heads, then I would make the swap, but I think the 440 would have to be modded a bit more than you are planning, to make a significant difference.
Your 5.9 runs real well, for what it is!
Edit: imo, the torque advantage I would expect from the 440 over the 5.9, will not show up on the strip, because of the 4.30 gear. If you were running a 3.23, I would be more confident in the 440 being faster than the 5.9.
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Give it up, all things being equal, a 440 roasts a 5.9.
71 Dart with low comp 440, mildly ported 452's, 557 purple, Torker with 750 DP, hooker fenders, TA 3500 convertor with 4.30.
11.40's at a buck 17. That's just one of several I know of. lol
Keywords were "similar Hp and Torque"
TT5.9mag
Two atmospheres are better than one
11 Second 1971 Dodge Dart Swinger - Drag Racer and Street Machine A body |
Junkyard magnum in a dart. There will be no roasting.
I don't see this as a fair fight. The 440 is going be a lot faster than the 5.9 especially if you deck the 440 block.
Pistons are around .156" in the hole on those engines. I've decked .100" off of dozens of them and installed a decent cam.
They really come alive when you shave the deck down and get some compression in them.
Tom
Pistons are around .156" in the hole on those engines. I've decked .100" off of dozens of them and installed a decent cam.
They really come alive when you shave the deck down and get some compression in them.
Tom
Turbo440Dart
crank runner over-er
I’d have to agree. My old 440 when it was NA felt like an absolute TURD. That was heads/cam/intake etc.
did you leave the RV pistons in it when cutting the deck .100 ?
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