Mopar 440 racers - time to legalize that shortblock!

[RocketBlock]

Originally Posted by herbjr

Chirs is obvious Rocket doesnt know much about these motors. The mainfolds are available out of the box, the cranks are available to drop in no need to grind as you say. The advantage is 100 grams on the piston. I know this for a fact. If you believe that 100 grams will make you run .5 quicker I have 100 acres of ocean front property near Tulsa, OK Ill be glad to sell you.

Herb McCandless Jr

They should outlaw those 1200. a set pistons rings that I know they are running

Go back to class racing school. The 383 6-pack edelbrock intake does not have the correct 440 6-pack factory casting numbers. That requires at least a part number change to make it appear legal. That is direct violation ofthe rules. At least one top ten qualifier and points earner (no names) ran this engine and the intake was cut extensively and realigned to longer straighter runners for a significant horsepower increase.

The 440 factory crank never had 400 sized mains. Should you or I look upo the specs? I'll get it later.
NHRA does not allow turning the mains beyond normal bearing size replacements. Crossbreeding of parts are illegal.
440 main bearing journal size: 2.750"
400 main bearing journal size: 2.625"
Difference: .125"
Advantage: less frictional loss due to bearing speed.

The compression height is vastly changed which makes a 440 replacement piston impossible to use. So that part is illegal. It's also more than 100 grams a piston.
440 rod length: 6.768"
400 rod length: 6.358"
Difference: .410"
440 stroke: 3.750"

As you can see when using a 400 short deck block the piston pin is moved upwards. This creats a shortskirt piston which in no way could weigh 749 grams as suggested by NHRA for stock eliminator. Thats if your using the NHRA mandated length 440 rod.

Clearly, anybody that runs a 400 B block in stock has to alter the crank, pistons and intake beyond what is legal. That's a lot of work. Would you do all that for a tenth? Two tenths?