1976 440 Engine Cam options.

[68wanabee]

I have a 1976 440 motor in my 68 Coronet and seems like it is pretty stock with the exception of Edelbrock Carburetor and Edelbrock Performer intake. I am wondering what cam would get be the best performance with the current compression etc. that is in this stock 440, that seems pretty underpowered as it is today.
Appreciate recommendations.

 

[Meep-Meep]

A very mild one. Off the top of my head Edelbrock and Crane make cams designed for low compression engines. You might do some research on Summit or just call the mfgr. The key is to preserve cylinder pressure, or even boost it, on that low CR motor. Freeing up the exhaust will help too.

 

[SuperFlyTNT]

I have very good experiences with the TRW TP-203 camshaft. Had it in a 74 400 with Weiand 8008 dual plane intake, 9 1/4 3.23 Imperial rear and stock everything else in a 74 Dodge Monaco 4dr sedan. I believe the TRW version is obsolete, but Melling part #23204 has the same specs:

Chrysler 440 with hydraulic flat tappets 1500-5200 rpm. Good mid-range power. Likes headers. OK idle
Valve lift INT/EXH = 443/465
Duration INT EXH = 288/298 degrees
Duration at .050 INT/EXH = 214/224 degrees
Lobe Centerline = 112

Looking at the exhaust duration, that will free up the exhaust quite a bit...

SuperFly TNT

 

[69a100]

As Steve Dulcich once told me about cams and upgrades is this. If you take stock duration and add no more than 10% to that, and add no more than .050 to stock lift, your building on sweet motor than can use a stock converter. I used a cam that is 7% and about .045 bigger and I'm super happy with it. It's lumpier than I thought it would be. Good Luck

 

[68wanabee]

Thanks for the excellent feedback and now I have a good idea on where to go with this. Much appreciated. Thanks FBBO.