78 440 mopar
 

are the later 440's competitive in a heavy car? just curious.

Re: 78 440 mopar
 

These vehicles suffer from the arbitrary pencil stroke of NHRA officials before they were put in the book. They had over 100hp added to them and were never competitive.

The low compression and hauling a 4310-4655 pound barge will make this not fun at this HP rating. If it were 50hp over the stock rating it would be worth a try. Much more competitive with the 360s available and a transmission that could be built on a budget.

Re: 78 440 mopar
 

Same 440 engine in 73/74 is now 325 HP. (Factory 280)
We have a fresh ready to go engine 440/330HP
on engine stand and will be trying it this year if we race.

Basically 40 more CI and 31 more HP rated than our 400 now in
our 73 400 Roadrunner that runs 1.00 + quite a bit more
when we need to. Same Cam and heads etc.

The compression is the problem in both of the combos but
plenty of piston to valve clearance. We raced the 73/440 combo
many years ago.

Re: 78 440 mopar
 

I saw a 78 New Yorker for sale cheap with a pretty decent body so was curious. I see the factory HP was 195, NHRA factored to 345. I can see 345 being an issue, not much less than the earlier 440's with a decent compression ratio.

Re: 78 440 mopar
 

Better combo is 73/73 B body440 @ 325 or 400 @ 294.

Re: 78 440 mopar
 

what is your opinion in the 73 coronet?

Re: 78 440 mopar
 

Coronets are B Bodies.
1973 440 @ 325 would be OK