440 build

[Aron Gleason]

Im going to start buying parts for a new motor. Looking at the trick flow 270 heads with around 11.5 compression and a 690 lift roller cam. Stock stroke, mostly a wicked street car with occasional track time. Any suggestions as to other goodies i should consider for a potential 650 horsepower build?

 

[RemCharger]

So a 440? Pretty expensive valvetrain parts and high compression for the street, would make for a good durability test thread.

 

[Aron Gleason]

So a 440? Pretty expensive valvetrain parts and high compression for the street, would make for a good durability test thread.

With aluminum heads, 11.5 compression and correct timing should be doable with pump gas.

 

[RemCharger]

I do like the extreme stock stroke builds.. so a dyno is in the cards?

 

[Aron Gleason]

I do like the extreme stock stroke builds.. so a dyno is in the cards?

Yes. But it's not something I'll get built by next year. It'll probably take 2 years for me to gather up everything i need.

 

[Aron Gleason]

What rocker arms would be a good choice? Hughes engines rockers that have been cryogenic treated or harland sharp rockers? What about lifters? I want a durable long lasting motor with very little maintenance. But at the same time I want it to be scary wicked.

 

[Geoff 2]

Using alum rockers like HS on an engine like this invokes the 'big bang' possibility....
A 440 I built a few years back had the TF240 heads. Used the Comp steel roller rocker kit which came with shafts. Only needed a thin pedestal shim to get the geometry I wanted. Sol roller cam, 10.5CR, TQ carb, made 605 hp.

 

[451Mopar]

With aluminum heads, 11.5 compression and correct timing should be doable with pump gas.

I agree, 11.5:1 with quench and a large cam with correct tuning can work with high octane pump gas.
with the higher RPM, I would want stronger aftermarket rods with the larger diameter ARP 7/16" rod bolts and light weight pistons.
I haven't looked at the 270 head spring choices, if they are like the 240 heads, I got the solid roller spring package with Ti retainers.
Check heads for 3/8" diameter pushrod clearance and use a good thick walled pushrod.
What max wedge port size intake do you plan to use?
You might consider the 440 source main stud girdle kit? Comes with all the main and oil pan studs, plus the girdle.

The question is why stock stroke? Your already replacing everything except the crank? Is this a stock crank or a 4340 forged crank already?

 

[PurpleBeeper]

What rocker arms would be a good choice? Hughes engines rockers that have been cryogenic treated or harland sharp rockers? What about lifters? I want a durable long lasting motor with very little maintenance. But at the same time I want it to be scary wicked.

Not to rain on your parade, but “scary wicked” & “durable long lasting” don’t go together

 

[rickseeman]

If you talk to people smarter than me they might tell you 270's on a stock stroke are of no benefit. On Trick Flow's website they show you their dyno run with 446 cu in, 10.5 cr, TF240 top end package, 950 carb, headers & open exhaust. 620 hp. And theirs would seem lot more streetable with a .640" hyd roller. You don't have to design your own anymore.

 

[rickseeman]

I want a durable long lasting motor with very little maintenance.

I don't think a .690" solid roller fits that.

 

[Aron Gleason]

Is a hydraulic roller cam good? Or would a solid roller cam be better? What about a solid mechanical cam? Im leaning towards a roller cam just for ease of not having to worry about breaking the cam and lifters if that makes sense, and possibly less strain on valvetrain.

 

[67MPRFAN]

Just my opinion, I would use the TF 240's instead of the 270's, especially if more street than strip. That extra flow won't get used, and you'll still have a strong motor

 

[68-500]

Solid lifter cam for sure, roller or flat tappet is a personal choice Lean towards a wider LSA with the 11.5:1 compression ratio. Definitely steel rocker arms. I would do everything possible to make the valves (small stems) , springs (beehive or conical), retainers (tool steel) light so you can ease up on spring pressure. I think the 270 intake ports are fine but there’s a few other compromises that go with them. Maybe a hemi length con rod to help lighten the piston. I think you can make a 600hp 440 reliable, but you got to pick your parts carefully.

 

[Aron Gleason]

Thank you everyone for the replies, they're all very welcomed and I'll take into serious consideration. The 240's seem to be a realistic choice for me.

 

[Aron Gleason]

Solid lifter cam for sure, roller or flat tappet is a personal choice Lean towards a wider LSA with the 11.5:1 compression ratio. Definitely steel rocker arms. I would do everything possible to make the valves (small stems) , springs (beehive or conical), retainers (tool steel) light so you can ease up on spring pressure. I think the 270 intake ports are fine but there’s a few other compromises that go with them. Maybe a hemi length con rod to help lighten the piston. I think you can make a 600hp 440 reliable, but you got to pick your parts carefully.

Would harland sharp rocker arms be a good choice?

 

[rickseeman]

Harland Sharp rockers are what the TF top end kit uses, so yes. Don't overthink this. Trick Flow has given us great stuff to work with. You saw the power they make in a 440.

 

[rickseeman]

Like this

 

[68-500]

Would harland sharp rocker arms be a good choice?

Great name brand. I have no personal experience.
Rick is right TF has the combo your looking for. I just don’t like hydraulic lifters. For street duty you want steel rockers.

 

[451Mopar]

I'm not impressed with the Retro Fit hydraulic roller lifters. They are more expensive, and heavier than the solid roller lifters and limit cam lobe profiles, spring choices, and RPM.
If going Roller lifter, I would just use the solid roller lifters, even on a mild lobe profile.
I don't have as much an issue with factory type hydraulic rollers, they are lighter than the retro-fit lifters and cost alot less.
I don't have any issues with good aluminum rocker arms for the street. To me the question is not the material, but the quality. On the Trick Flow 240's I ran the recommended harlan Sharpe rockers and I have the HS rockers on two other engines with no problems. The Charger with the Victor MW heads have the T&D rockers and they have stood up to alot of abuse.