Need help with 440 build up

[Intence_Ram]

I just picked up a 71' 440 that I am going to re-build. I am having trouble deciding on pistons, cam and heads. Its going into a show-cruise-bracket racecar so I want something to toy around on the street and driveable to car shows.

First heads: I really would like to go all Eldelbrock (RPM Heads, cam, intake and carb) but are these heads too much for the street? I am also considering Stage 5 or just get a set with 2.14-1.81 stainless valves. Like I say it will mainly be street-show car. I will bracket race it maybe 2-3 times a year just for fun.

Second cam: If I go eldelbrock I will go hydraulic RPM cam but I may not do the E heads. Any other suggestions? I want it to have that lopy idle. A freind has the RPM cam and it sounds good.

Third pistons: I only have 2 kinds in mind. KB-Silvolite and Ross. If I get the E heads I will have to save money on the pistons so I will go with KB-Silvolites. I ran a set of KB's in my last 440 and I really liked them. BUT will the 84-cc chamber lower the compression? I want to stay around 10:1. The KB's I ran before were 9.5:1 with stock heads. I think stock is 78cc.

Thanks and I really appreciate all suggestions.

Bob

[challenger340]

Go with the edelbrock heads and KB pistons if you cannot afford heads and Ross pistons.

Don't use the edelbrock cam. It is slow lobe junk. Use a more aggressive lobe. My personal choice 274XE comp (230/236 at .050).

[451Mopar]

I agree with challenger340, use the Edelbrock heads and keith black pistons, and one of the newer high-rate-of-lift cams like the Extreme Energy Comp or Hughes Engines cams.

[Lee Pritchard]

Yes do the edelbrock heads...K/B pistons will give you longer ring life....on the cam, speed pro make a cam i have used many times in street cars... it's a 280 480 on a 109 center line hyd grind (109.00 dollars) with lifters.. has a great choppy sound and a wide power band... it's works best with 9.2.1 pistons and up.... it will give you tire smoking torq and pull strong to 5800..The cam sounds a lot bigger than it realy is, but a great daily driver cam....... Lee...

[TOOLZ]

GO WITH INDY CYL. HEADS "IRON" HEADS. M.P. INTAKE.
WITH THE CAM --- MAKE YOUR DICISION BY HOW IT IS "REALLY" GONNA BE USED, NOT BY THE CHOPPY IDLE.
CUSTOM GROUND CAMS ARE A GREAT WAY TO GO, CAN GET A "ROLLER", THAT IS CUT FOR THE STREET, AND TRACK, AND STILL STARTS WELL, DOESN'T KILL YOU AT THE GAS PUMP, OR SCREW UP YOUR VACUUM FOR YOUR BRAKE SYSTEM.
GO WITH THE ROSS PISTONS. AND GET THE WHOLE RECIPROCATING GEAR PRO-BALANCED. FREE HORSEPOWER.

TOOLZ