If any of you that have 440 kits in your EX want more power, you should think about a Race Head. There's not much too it, just porting and 1mm over size valves, but man what a difference!

 

I just aquired a duncan 440 motor with the rod sticking out of the case. Has over sized valves in ported head w/ their mid/top end cam.
I wanted to do a 426 kit but know if I like the method (just bore it all the way out).

I'll prbly just use that head with a 440 kit
can anyone suggest a good rod.
I seen 2 440s & 1 400 w/12.5:1 comp. with rods sticking out
I have always used hot rods in 2 strokes. I was looking at sparks 440 kits and rods.

 

Why would you want a new rod? There is no reason unless you have problems now. The 440 bore kit is good - I like the 13:1, but they make them in 12:1 too. My personal belief if that if you build them correctly, you shouldnt have any problems.

This weekend I raced another 440 bore EX with a pipe, cams and carb and I took him up comp hill at Florence in the wet sand with power to spare. There are a few tricks that have to be done with the Edlebrock carb, and getting the right cam makes all the difference too. In a year I'll have it stroked to a 460 and that will be really fun!

 

would you put a GMC 6/71 Blower on a stock 305.
would you expect a stock honda vtec to last long with a 150hp nitrous setup


The bottom end was not designed for 12.5:1 compression or a ported race head.
It also wasn't designed to rev past 8500 rpm.

Do you think 7000+HP Top fuel engines use stock rods and cranks.
http://www.bmeltd.com/dragster.htm
http://www.stevehamiltonracing.com/new/car.html
Check the links if you don't believe the HP numbers


My Point is:
Do it right the first time. I'll already be in the motor, why not buy some insurance.

That just how I am. I have a 355cid Chevy in a 91 S-10 w/an intake/cam/ignition setup for 5800-6500 rpm yet it has forged pistons, H-beam rods and a lunati crank thats all balanced and safe to about 7500rpm. Why? I never worry about throwing a rod durring a burnout because the engine can't over rev.(also has MSD6AL with 6000rpm rev limit just in case)

 

most agree the carillo rods are near indestructable.

 

 

I would stick with the 440 since you have oversized valves. The motors that I have rode with o/s valves and 416 havent impressed me any. But I felt they helped quite a bit on the 440 motors I have rode with them compared to 440's without (both having aftermarket carbs) .

The hot rods arent much better than stock, Its a replacement. But like cal said the carrilos are pretty much bullet proof.

 

Where is your cam making power at? Is this a torquer type motor?

 

CapnMorgan,

You can spend all kinds of money to protect yourself for something that may never happen. I know of no 440 big bore that "Caused" a rod failure. I run mine really hard, and have nearly every weekend for a year. I inspected the the rod 2 weeks ago when I upgraded to the race head - there are no signs of wear - none.

I think an aftermarket rod is something you can do if you want - but in my opinion, its not needed when going from a 400 to a big bore 440.

Sorry...

Marky

 

The thing about the rod is it will visually show no wear before breaking.....so a simple inspection is pretty much useless.