Engine Build Advice

[crahill39]

I am working with a builder on my 440 for a 71 GTX that is finally at the body shop. The engine is numbers matching, and part of the plan with the builder was to build a fairly bullet proof motor that will be mostly for fun, but may see the track a couple times a year. The input I am looking for is on cylinder head choice. He is pushing the Brodix heads over the Eldelbrock Performer heads. He doesn't build a lot of mopars, but has a very good reputation as a solid race engine builder. With the Brodix heads, they come CNC ported and fairly decent flow numbers. However, I have seen the threads about the Trick Flow 240's being out and want to bring these up as an alternative. The Brodix heads are pricey after full assembly, and require custom forged Pistons to keep the comp ratio down where it can be run on pump gas because of the small combustion chamber size. Do the Trick Flows require a specific rocker assembly as i have seen mentioned or are there options as this engine will be using a hydraulic roller cam setup? I am pretty new to a lot of the concepts and the goal is to make around 1.3 hp per cubic inch on a non stroked 440 being bored .030 over. Appreciate any and all input from the more experienced mopar builders here.

Thanks!

Craig

 

[IQ52]

Uhhh, 1.325 hp/ci?

http://www.forbbodiesonly.com/moparforum/showthread.php?107369-Trick-Flows-on-the-440

It makes sense that a Chevy builder would want to go with something he knows like the Brodix brand, but they are not at all necessary for your desired results. The TrickFlow heads use many standard offset rocker arms that are commonly available, Harland Sharp, Mancini, Comp Cams, Crane and others. And they do not require custom pistons.

 

[69 GTX]

What Jim said! I would never, I repeat never, take my mopar engine to a chevy guy! But that's just me.

 

[crahill39]

Just to be fair, he has built a number of 440's and a few hemi's, it's just in my neck of the woods, there not a lot of mopar guys as most people here drive Chevys or Fords.

 

[Glenwood]

Just to be fair, he has built a number of 440's and a few hemi's, it's just in my neck of the woods, there not a lot of mopar guys as most people here drive Chevys or Fords.

Same problem here! I live too close to Chevy town in Oshawa. Even the neighbourhood performance store barely lists mopar parts.

 

[crahill39]

The builders name is David Purifoy, and he was a competitive drag racer at one time, I am not sure if he still is racing, but I was at his shop on Friday discussing the build and what was initially going to be a 10-15 minute conversation about the build turned into a 2 hour session going over all sorts of aspects about engine building that were frankly way over my head. It was interesting and I don't think he was trying to up sell me on anything. He will work with whatever I choose, so I wanted to get other mopar guru's opinions before I make a decision. Appreciate all the comments.

 

[lewtot184]

buying a set of heads with the ports in the stock location will prevent a bunch of headaches; i don't think brodix does. i'm using a set of eddie rpm heads with an icon 836 piston; very straight forward , easy driving pump gas engine. the icon 836 with the trick flows should work on pump gas and make a little more power than the rpms ootb. in my opinion 1.3hp per cube (572hp) in a 440 is little over the top if you plan on driving and pump gas.

 

[69 GTX]

Jim's build with my 440 has 9.9:1 cr ratio stock port Trick flows with a custom ground solid roller so far 575 with a dual plane & 591 with a single plane intake. Should run easy on 91 octane & maybe even 89.