MP W2 heads and X block questions.

-
Clelan

Clelan

Inferno Red Duster
FABO Gold Member
Joined
May 11, 2006
Messages
2,863
Reaction score
4,343
Location
Martensville Sask. Can.
Is there collector value to out of production Mopar Performance stuff like an X block or W2 heads?
I have an engine that came in a race car I just bought. It's a 436 cid X block with W2 Econo heads, Molnar crank, Diamond pistons. Dyno sheets showing 652 hp with a different intake than is on it currently.
I am contemplating whether I run it as is, or sell it and start with something different.
If it has some inherent value as is, that will be gone if I blow it up and destroy any of those rare old parts. Is there even a market for this stuff?

Cley
328319094602273433.jpg
 

There are a lot of folks who like the W2 heads and if you were to sell them with the rockers and maybe the intake, you should get a decent payback. If you were to get them checked out for cracks and leaks, it might maximize the return. The block depends on size and condition of the cylinders and if it's had a concrete fill, but it should bring pretty good money. I wouldn't say they are collector type items, but a lot of guys building small block HP want to have an X/W2 combo. I don't know your use case, but you'll be hard pressed to put a 600+hp engine together for less than $10-12k starting with nothing and paying for machine work. You should get about half that parting it out. If street use is desired and it's too wild, you can always put a milder cam in it. The block and heads wouldn't tell the difference.
 
I'm guessing 12:1 or better compression with the power numbers, so many potential buyers would view it as a stretch for a street engine, but as a turnkey race engine, it looks dandy. What is your intended use for the car?
 
Best cast iron head available for HP on a solid foundation. But with the limited W-2 intakes available, I'm curious what intake was used on the dyno, what's on it now and why it was swapped.

Have you seen/heard it run? How old are the dyno sheets and how many runs on the engine? Hopefully the ports & bore size haven't been worn or maxed out. (So it can be freshened.)

If you use as-is, does your car have the safety equipment, suspension & driveline needed to get the most out of it and to potentially get into the 9's legally at the track? (Lots of variables there.)
 
Locomotion said:
Best cast iron head available for HP on a solid foundation. But with the limited W-2 intakes available, I'm curious what intake was used on the dyno, what's on it now and why it was swapped.

Have you seen/heard it run? How old are the dyno sheets and how many runs on the engine? Hopefully the ports & bore size haven't been worn or maxed out. (So it can be freshened.)

If you use as-is, does your car have the safety equipment, suspension & driveline needed to get the most out of it and to potentially get into the 9's legally at the track? (Lots of variables there.)
Click to expand...
It had a tunnel ram on the dyno. The guy who owned the car before me said he didn't want to mess with 2 carbs.
It was built and dynoed in 2013 I believe. I don't believe there were too many passes on it because the owner before me died at least 5 years ago. It was supposed to have been freshened up just before the previous owner died. I heard it run in a video only, but I plan to fire it up in a couple weeks.
The car is good for 10.0. And it was run with this engine before but a couple guys I spoke to who knew the PO claim he only ran it about 3/4 throttle to run the 10.6. I wish I had known the guy. We had a few mutual friends but never met.

Cley
 
You probably need to see what the car would certify at with it's present safety gear, that was probably the limiting factor with needing to restrict it to3/4 throttle. It may have also been due to concerns with power handling capability, but I doubt that if it with an X block in place. What you want to run at is probably going to be a matter chassis (i.e. traction) and safety certification upgrades. With 13.5:1, I'd look into a good methanol carburetor and setup, but I also recommend reading this post from our Late Great PBR.
A post for the alcohol pollutes your oil crew.
John ran production 360 blocks right at the 650 hp mark for several seasons before changing them due to fatigue concerns, so I think your X block (if it is an MP X block and not a '68-'70 production piece) is probably good for whatever your combination is capable of, especially since it has been gone through since being last raced.
 
Clelan said:
Another concern i have is how much the 8-3/4 will handle. What ever I decided with the motor, I will put a Dana 60 in it.

Cley
Click to expand...
Valid concern. Car weight would be my next question, then tire size.
W2s are sought after for sure but not worth their weight in gold like some guys claim. I just put together a W2 engine and most guys nowadays (that aren’t mopar guys) don’t even know what they are. There is a Facebook group for W2,5,8 stuff, and if you’re going to sell look it up, that’s where it’ll pick up the most coin. Personally I’d go through it and use every bit of it. Put the tunnel ram back on it and laugh at all the guys trying to make the power an “old junk cast iron” W2 makes. They are awesome heads.
 
I need to weigh it, but it should be fairly light considering. It's gutted for the most part. It has a 29x10.5-15 tire. Looking at what was done to my rear wheel openings i think I will try and use a 28x10.5-15 so I can use stock wheel openings. Thats just my preference, not necessarily the best idea.

Cley
 
Clelan said:
I need to weigh it, but it should be fairly light considering. It's gutted for the most part. It has a 29x10.5-15 tire. Looking at what was done to my rear wheel openings i think I will try and use a 28x10.5-15 so I can use stock wheel openings. Thats just my preference, not necessarily the best idea.

Cley
Click to expand...
If it’s super light, -2800 I’d not worry too much about the 8-3/4 running 10s. But you’ll have the power to hit a 28-10.5 pretty hard and run quicker than that if the car is light. So if you get the safety equipment sorted out to go as fast as the car has the power to go, and you use it, then a rear end upgrade might be in your future. But a back brace on that housing may get you there also.
 
It is back braced now. When I get a chance, I have to put it up on stands and really check it out. I will share a bunch of photos as soon as I can get to it!
It drives me crazy that it's sitting there and I don't have time to really dive into what I have.

Cley
 
Are you intending on running in the eighth or the quarter with it? What is the present transmission?
 
It will run 1/4 mile as it did before. It has a 727 transmission. I believe it's a 4.56 gear, but not positive. I'll take it out just as is to start. Apparently it left the line straight and hard, has a converter matched to the engine.

Cley
 
Please use a shield over that transmission 727s are notorious for exploding coming through the floorboard and killing the driver
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
-

Similar threads

Clelan
What makes an "X Block" an "X Block"
Replies
21
Views
2K
Swinger 340
Swinger 340
Oldmanmopar
Info wanted on Indy LA X heads
2
Replies
37
Views
2K
rmchrgr
rmchrgr
B
W2 or R/T heads?
2 3
Replies
73
Views
6K
BrianT
BrianT
evil66
Exhaust port height -W2 vs factory cast iron heads
Replies
5
Views
723
Rocket
R
G
Visual difference between 48 and 59 degree W2 heads?
Replies
10
Views
1K
Newbomb Turk
N
Back
Top Bottom