low compression
So i was sitting here and had a thought:
What kind of BB mopar can be built with low compression to handle pump gas and make some big hp-naturally aspirated, no NOS etc...? Any ideas or tried and true methods?
New here, but the original question seems pretty simple. Not knowing the exact defination of "low compression", I offer two examples.
1) 8.0:1 compression, 383, stock forged crank, stock rods, .040" overbore cast pistons, ported 906 heads, single 4bbl, 524 HP.
2) 9.7:1 compression, 451 (oh my, another one?) forged 440 crank, H-beam rods, forged pistons, ported 906 heads, single 4bbl, 694 HP.
Nothing spectacular. The 383 could have been run on 85 octane, though we tested it on 91 octane, as we did the 451.
Dad told me there are three secrets to building horsepower. The first two are cylinder heads and the third and most important is cylinder heads. I think a big horsepower discussion must include something other than stock cylinderheads as a stock BB mopar head is going to limit you generally to the 450 HP range.
So, as a general rule, pick an engine size 383-440, run low compression (8.0-9.5:1), use a stock head and figure some 450 HP maximum.
By-the-by, there's nothing wrong with stobbin' a big cam, headers, intake and carb on your stock shortblock and and stock heads and havin' some fun. Might not run real efficient but it will make more power and still be FUN.