Restoration 1970 CUDA

[1970CUDAAAR]

Hi!
I have a 440 in my 1970 CUDA with the following main parts:
CAM:

• COM21-223-4 = Xtreme Energy Camshaft
• Hydraulic Flat Tappet
• Single Bolt
• 1600-5800rpm
• Adv. Dur. 268 Int./280 Exhaust
• Valve Lift .477 Int./.480 Exhaust
• Lobe Angle 110 deg.
• Valve @ .050 208° Intake/221° Exhaust

PISTONS – KBPKB237.030 SPECS:

CR = KB PERFORMANCE PISTONS – BBM Flat Top Piston Set 4.350 Bore -5cc KBPKB237.030 Piston – KB Series – Hypereutectic – Flat Top – 4.350 in Bore – 2.067 in Compression Height – 5/64 x 5/64 x 3/16 in Ring Grooves – Minus 5.00 cc

I'm looking for a good driving car - my rear-end is 3:23

CONSIDERING FOLLOWING UPGRADES:

1) ALLUMINIUM HEADS: STEALTH HEADS FROM 440 SOURCE 200-1201
2) CONVERTING TO SIX-PACK ???

Are these valuable upgrade ???

Comments please on my existing set-up vs possible upgrade. My goal is a good driving machine around 400HP. In your opinion does the present set-up (see above) gives me around 400 HP.

Thanks for your comments/

 

[MOPARMITCH]

Best bang for your Buck would be good heads. Those stealth heads are ok. Don't know if I'd throw a bunch of cash at a six pack set up. Pretty expensive these days, and you can get great power from a good intake manifold and single 4 barrel carburetor. Jus my 2 cents.....

 

[don selleck]

sounds cool, agree with mitch. lets see that car!

 

[Xcudame]

The problem with the six pack is two fold, expensive (unless you already have it) and they just don't make a decent variety of intake manifolds.

I've got 440 Source Heads (aluminum 906 clones) and Edelbrock 440 Street Heads. They need to be gone through to make sure everything is right. Honestly, if I had to do over, I'd buy the 440 Trick Flow heads.

Without any previous decking, your current combo is about .015" in the hole. So what you're looking for is a gasket that when compressed will give you .040" quench zone. You get quench benefits all the way to .060" of quench ( space between the piston and flat part of the cylinder Head combustion chsmber). So don't worry if you get .045" to .055". It will still help tremendously.

Once you got the quench right on a 440 particularly with 9.5 to 10.5 static compression ratio it's basically dial your horsepower by camshaft lift! .484" lift, figure 480hp. .509" lift equals 500hp. Keep in mind this is ballpark and assumes everything is correct and working properly. Stroker engines and better flowing heads (think Indy or Max Wedge size) just make even more power and gobs of torque!

So heads are very important and that quench zone!

 

[1970CUDAAAR]

Hi!

Thanks for your comments. If I understand you correctly: I'm OK with the set-up I have regarding the pistons & cams (see my original post listing qhat I have in the car).

Howewver I should replace the cast iron heads with 440 Trick Flow Heads and install verry thin gaskets.

My goal is to have a good streat car around 425 HP tha will run good as a drivers not a racer.

I'm not a mechanic then please provide me with part no. for the heads and gasket and other that I need to achieve this. I would like to stay within a $ 5K budget if possible. Willing to considser more if needed.

Will this add value to the car?? I think that this can be done without removing the engine from the car???

Remember the car is running with a Holley Sniner EFI and Edelbrock intake.

Thanks!

 

[Xcudame]

The biggest issue I see is the smoothness of your current 440 blocks head mating surface. The MSL gaskets like cometic like a really smooth surface. However, the Felpro #1009 head gaskets with compressed are .039". With your pistons .015" in the hole, that's a .054" Quench which isn't terrible and definitely will work to give better combustion.

As far as the heads see this link to 440 Source for the Trick Flow heads for use with flat tappet camshafts. Use the special head bolts (screws) recommended. Should be able to stay under $5k parts wise. Not sure about labour but this should be an afternoon swap since you're not touching the short block and camshaft (assuming the cams in there now and running).

Trick Flow Power Port 240 for Flat Tappet Cams

store.440source.com

With the camshaft you listed in the original post, you'll easily be in the 475hp range at the rear of the crankshaft. Yes, keep the Edelbrock intake and Holley Sniper EFI.

 

[1970CUDAAAR]

The last comments are encouraging for me as it appears for $ 5K I could bring my 440 to 475 HP. If I understand correctly I need to do the followings:

a) replace the cast-iron heads for "Trick Flow Power Port 240 for Flat Tappet Cams.
b) replace the head gasket for felpro # 1009.
c) use the special head bolts (screws) recommended ?? are these provided with the purchase of the heads refered in a)?

As indicated this should bring the HP to about 475. This looks great to me as $ 5K to achieve this is costly acceptable.'

Thanks you verry much for your comments.