Need some help...

[Daly]

I'm putting a set of Sidewinder heads on the 440 in my 69 Coronet. The 440 is a 74 and I'm leaving the bottom end alone. The engine runs good, but one of the heads is cracked, which is why I'm putting the Sidewinders on.

Where I need the help is while I'm putting the heads on I thought about putting in a mild cam and dumping the heavy intake, but I'm not sure what would work the best. Comp Cams? Lunati? Edelbrock? Crower? Single plane intake? Dual plane?

Basically wondering if anyone else has done just the top end on a 74+ 440 and what did you find was a good combo...

Also for the initial swap I'm leaving the stock exhaust manifolds, but I will be getting headers do the line. For now I just want the car back on the road...

 

[62 Dart Convertible]

Ask 5 people which brand of cam to get and you'll get 5 different answers. You can't go wrong with either of those brands, but just pick carefully and don't over cam a street car with stock converter. (I personally like the Lunati Voodoo cams.)

Definitely stick with dual plane intake, Edelbrock Performer RPM seems the pick of the bunch.

 

[super-bee_ski]

Hi!
well, this is the opportune time do accomplish this project.
BUT: don't get ahead of yourself to where it is torn down too much and you don't have the time to get it back together.
Comp Cams has the "NEW" Thumper Series Cams, designed with increased exhaust duration for a great lope but tremendous drivability.

Definitely go with a Dual plane.
Better Torque response at low rpm

So: we have some tremendous BRAINS on the forum.
guys like:
Hemi-It is
Mike Gains
Lewt
Budnicks
Cranky
Allpar
Many many more that have the better answers for your needs....

PS: A couple of builds are going on in the forum right now.
Check out: My "451 build"

Good luck with your build

 

[69 GTX]

Pick a cam that will help you keep maximum compression. And a closed chamber head.

 

[Daly]

I guess I should have been more specific as to what I meant about the cams. I'm not really concerned of the make, but what would be a good cam, which duration should I be looking at and such? Being a 74 engine I know the compassion ratio is going to be low, and I was wondering what cam would best suit it...

 

[Cranky]

Hi!
well, this is the opportune time do accomplish this project.
BUT: don't get ahead of yourself to where it is torn down too much and you don't have the time to get it back together.
Comp Cams has the "NEW" Thumper Series Cams, designed with increased exhaust duration for a great lope but tremendous drivability.

Definitely go with a Dual plane.
Better Torque response at low rpm

So: we have some tremendous BRAINS on the forum.
guys like:
Hemi-It is
Mike Gains
Lewt
Budnicks
Cranky
Allpar
Many many more that have the better answers for your needs....

PS: A couple of builds are going on in the forum right now.
Check out: My "451 build"

Good luck with your build

Not too long ago I was told that my brains were in my arse so you might want to edit that lol

I guess I should have been more specific as to what I meant about the cams. I'm not really concerned of the make, but what would be a good cam, which duration should I be looking at and such? Being a 74 engine I know the compassion ratio is going to be low, and I was wondering what cam would best suit it...

Like has been said, ask 5 different people about cams and you'll get 5 different answers but if you have a low compression engine, don't be trying to go for that lumpy sound because they will usually kill your low end performance. Do some reading for a better understanding.....
http://www.hughesengines.com/TechArticles/2choosingacam.php
http://www.crankshaftcoalition.com/wiki/Cam_and_compression_ratio_compatibility
http://www.compcams.com/v002/Pages/404/camshaft-faq.aspx

 

[Yatzee]

I'm for Lunati packages all the way - cam and lifters. They're matched to run together metallurgically and I have never, ever heard a complaint. Most all the other big name household brands seemed to have cheaped out in some way or other for corporate profits knowing full well that consumer complaints will even be on their terms. I haven't got the time or money to tear my engine down a second time for highly publicized and inferior quality parts. My theory - if they advertise a lot with glitzy adds and a "to good to be true" sales pitch, they're probably down in sales for a good reason. I'll share another "easter egg" with all the members - Borla mufflers beat the others in price, quality and sound hands down. I can't even imagine how many different mufflers Flowmaster has to make in order to get it right.

 

[Cranky]

Set up a lot of cams in my life and never had problem killing one on start up but there are brands I do not like and one is Comp Cams and that's mainly for poor customer service and tech. It's been a few years since dealing with them but 5 years after being told that very thing by another builder, I found myself dealing with them at the request of a customer. He just had to have this one particular cam from them and the guy was in a hurry and well, Comp slowed things down by sending the wrong parts and then tried to tell me that's what I ordered. As for mufflers....haven't bought any of those danged things in 35 years! :grin:

 

[furryfrog]

I guess I should have been more specific as to what I meant about the cams. I'm not really concerned of the make, but what would be a good cam, which duration should I be looking at and such? Being a 74 engine I know the compassion ratio is going to be low, and I was wondering what cam would best suit it...

Assuming you have a stock torque converter, the rest of your combo will pic you towards a cam. All the cam companies list things like stall recomendations, gears, vacume, ect. I would suggests the most intake duration @ .050 would be around low 220's. You can give them a call as well.

Keep in mind the more aggressive grinds will be less forgiving during break in and use than the more tamer ones. Comps XE versus their magnum line for example.

As for the low comp ratio, hughes makes a whiplash cam for low comp motors but I have only read mixed internet reviews about its performance.

- - - Updated - - -

I see your in Ontairo, see what brand your local parts stores carry, may save on shipping and brokrage.

 

[eric383]

Most of the big cam companies have a tech line that can recommend a cam according to your needs.
Keep us posted on how those heads are. I have good things but would like some real feedback. Good luck.

 

[Daly]

Thanks for the help guys, I've done some more research on the motor I have it's a 74-75 440 out of a motorhome with a cast crank. It has a RV cam in it now and I've decided that for the next few years it's going to stay that way. I'm putting the heads on with an RPM intake and a set of headers (later in the summer) and I'm just going to drive and enjoy the car. The plan has always been to completely restore the car in 10 years and at that time I'll be putting a stroker motor in (maybe by then i'll even entertain a Hemi swap)...

 

[SlinktRR]

Thanks for the help guys, I've done some more research on the motor I have it's a 74-75 440 out of a motorhome with a cast crank. It has a RV cam in it now and I've decided that for the next few years it's going to stay that way. I'm putting the heads on with an RPM intake and a set of headers (later in the summer) and I'm just going to drive and enjoy the car. The plan has always been to completely restore the car in 10 years and at that time I'll be putting a stroker motor in (maybe by then i'll even entertain a Hemi swap)...

Call Hughes and ask about the whiplash cams. Specific grinds for the mid 70s 440's

http://www.hughesengines.com/TechArticles/10whiplashcams.php

Great advice so far from everyone. Whatever you choose don't put an mp purpleshaft in there lol. Your low end torque will disappear.

 

[Daly]

Thanks, I'll look into that...