Need top end advice

67_Slimer said
OK , I'm sure this topic has been done to death but I really need a direction to go in. I'm building a 408 stroker from a .030 over 360. looking at 11:5 - 1 compression , pretty good size hydraulic roller cam. I'm looking for 500-550 hp if possible, It's going in a 3200 lbs 67 dart with a 4 speed and a dana that has 4.56s but soon will change that to 3.73 or around there seeing this motor won't spin as high as my current 340. The car is street driven , not daily but car shows , cruising around etc. occasionally drag strip but not often.

The top end is what I'm confused about. I planned on using my current heads , intake and Carb that's on my 340. Edelbrock performer aluminum heads that I would plan on having ported big time to create as much flow as possible , the Victor intake which i plan on having ported as well and my 750 Brawler carb. I was contemplating going with the W2 economy heads and intake for my top end. Can I get some feedback on how much of a power difference it would make , if its worth the extra money , parts availability headers etc. Again , I plan on paying for porting on my heads and intake but before I do that I want to see my options.

Thanks in advance.

Save the W2 for a race application. The Edelbrock well ported will make the power. It will not even require a big cam. IMO, you’re on the right track. I’d use less compression (11-1 or s still more than enough.) and have the heads and Victor ported. A 1-3/4 header into a 2-1/2 exhaust with a flow through muffler like an Aero Chamber, Maxflo etc…. Will do it well.

A 750 will work. An 800 or better will be fine as well, a little more power on the pedal feel and a minor gain up to. Probably not worth it for a street cruiser doing shows and other like fun stuff.

IMO, the factory Hyd lifter is OK. A bit heavy. IMO, I’d move to a solid roller. Set the valve lash once a year until you’re happy with it not needing adjusting that often. It should just need a quick check every spring and that’s it. Lighter lifter, more RPM, quicker rev’s, win win!

This is a FWIW, the W2 works best when you use a large cam that hangs the valves open for a long time and then a bunch of rpm’s.
The difference between the “Econo” head and the race head is just and only how the rockers attach to the head, with stands or so hour stands. Both perform the same.