What takes away the late 70s emission

[Dominic Torreto]

Just wondering what caused the 440 engine in the late 70s to have less power I was wondering if I rebuilt the cams and head to aluminum and bigger lobe cams If that would free a lot of power. Also straight piping the exhaust with some JEGs headers would help.

 

[MoparMikey]

A reduction in compression was the main reason.

 

[coloradodave]

Dominic, my best advice is to not spend a penny on performance parts until you READ, READ, READ all the books you can get having to do with hopping up a motor. This will be the best money you will ever spend on your car. Amazon.com and half.com are great sources for used books. You can then spend your money on things that will actually help you go fast. Throwing speed parts at a motor with no plan seldom gets a good result...........

 

[fatecaptured]

Dominic, my best advice is to not spend a penny on performance parts until you READ, READ, READ all the books you can get having to do with hopping up a motor. This will be the best money you will ever spend on your car. Amazon.com and half.com are great sources for used books. You can then spend your money on things that will actually help you go fast. Throwing speed parts at a motor with no plan seldom gets a good result...........

I totally agree. That's the best advise you can give someone. Focus on the short block and internals. Intakes, headers, aluminum heads, ect., wont help you much if u have low compression and a weak core. Mopar performance is a good start. They know all there is to know. Focus on that engine you want to run and go reading. I started of with a 383 and changed my direction to a 440 mid way through thinking everything was the same. Boy was I wrong. Allot interchange between, but they are very much different. " B, RB". I could have avoided allot of wasted cash if I have done more research. And this is a good place to ask questions too. Good luck.

 

[Meep-Meep]

You also have to take into account that the power ratings were done differently prior to the early 70's. SAE gross method was replaced by SAE net. Still, the lower compression, modified advance curve, EGR valve and a few other tricks put the power ratings in the tank.

 

[Dominic Torreto]

.

Well, being a turbo import fanatic. I can say a turbo charger with low compression pistons does better with more boost do to lower temperatures which makes the effiency better. Is this anatomy the same with the mopars with supercharges? Anyways I was going to buy the eddlebrook topend crate performance.

 

[Meep-Meep]

If you're a turbo guy then put a turbo on the 440 with EFI. At that point you can expect some pretty serious power while maintaining good drivability and relative economy. My buddy in KC has a 10 second turbo EFI Zephyr wagon and he keeps telling me to put a turbo on my 440. I am not against the idea; just need to clear my plate first.

 

[Dominic Torreto]

If you're a turbo guy then put a turbo on the 440 with EFI. At that point you can expect some pretty serious power while maintaining good drivability and relative economy. My buddy in KC has a 10 second turbo EFI Zephyr wagon and he keeps telling me to put a turbo on my 440. I am not against the idea; just need to clear my plate first.

I want to do something new and more authentic thats really the reason for that. I could throw an aluminum apr spoiler on the charger but I think you get what I am saying lol.

 

[Jim Bob The Dancing Bear]

There is a gent that has a 67 Charger with 451, edelbrock heads, megasquirter efi and twin turbo's. He is putting down 729 hp at the wheels and still needing final tuning. He drives it on the Power Tour every year or almost every year. It also has a T56 in it.

 

[Photon440]

Just wondering what caused the 440 engine in the late 70s to have less power I was wondering if I rebuilt the cams and head to aluminum and bigger lobe cams If that would free a lot of power. Also straight piping the exhaust with some JEGs headers would help.

Less power than what? The competition? Or Chrysler's earlier versions of the 440?

Right to the end (1978 for cars, 1979 for motorhomes and trucks) the 440 had the same 2.08/1.74 valves, and the same cam as 1970 - just retarded about 4 degrees for emission purposes. The power loss you ask about came from that cam retard, more restrictive exhaust (cats), emission related timing, leaner carb tuning and less compression. Compounded by this was a shift toward ever higher (numerically lower) rear gear ratios so the vehicle performance seemed even worse.

No need for aluminum heads, but if you can afford it, please go right ahead. Degreeing the cam, getting a good intake manifold and carb combo, and decent exhaust will uncork the late 70's blocks.

-=Photon440=-

 

[440roadrunner]

just retarded about 4 degrees

I cannot remember anymore, was the cam retard done in the timing sprockets?

If so, how do you know whether you are getting a "straight up" or "retarded" set, IE not buying OEM replacement drive set?

 

[Dominic Torreto]

Less power than what? The competition? Or Chrysler's earlier versions of the 440?

Right to the end (1978 for cars, 1979 for motorhomes and trucks) the 440 had the same 2.08/1.74 valves, and the same cam as 1970 - just retarded about 4 degrees for emission purposes. The power loss you ask about came from that cam retard, more restrictive exhaust (cats), emission related timing, leaner carb tuning and less compression. Compounded by this was a shift toward ever higher (numerically lower) rear gear ratios so the vehicle performance seemed even worse.

No need for aluminum heads, but if you can afford it, please go right ahead. Degreeing the cam, getting a good intake manifold and carb combo, and decent exhaust will uncork the late 70's blocks.

-=Photon440=-

So a 3 inch straight pipe exhaust, Eddle brook performance top end kit, Carter AFB performance carb will do the trick? I will not put higher compression pistons in sense I am going to throw on a blower kit.

 

[RustyRatRod]

Is this going to be driven on the street with "3 inch straight pipe exhaust, Eddle brook performance top end kit, Carter AFB performance carb" and "going to throw on a blower kit"?

Not trying to be nasty here, but you should read a lot like you've been advised. Learn the proper terminology. That way you won't sound like these guys.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-BGIcRBPHM

 

[WP29440SE]

i wouid seriously re-consider rebuilding the cams