I am working on a '73 Challenger project build for use only on the street, on 91 octane pump gas. I had been planning on building a 440 stroker build with a kit from 440source.

Today a friend offered me a newly rebuild supercharged 440. I have first right of refusal, but I need to decide quick so he can sell it elsewhere if needed.

Please help me decide between the two! The super'd 440 would cost me $3900 complete from pan to carbs, which is no doubt cheaper than the stroker would be.

Basic Supercharged 440 stats:
-6-71 polished supercharger
-Fully rebuild 440 with all new parts (new cam, but I dont have specs).
-Two 450cfm carbs (900cfm seems low to me for a blown 440... is this enough? I might end up going with fuel injection anyway).
-8.5:1 CR; forged pistons (is 8.5:1 too high for pump gas?)
-Aluminum heads and roller rockers.


Even if the blower isn't an ideal setup, it seems like a good deal at under $4k. No? I'd guess it would make more HP than the stroker.

HELP!!

p.s. How the heck do I drive in the rain with the SC sticking through my hood?

 

A 440 stroker, in my opinion, would be the way to go. Since you said the car is for the street, a stroker will give you more reliable, streetable power.

 

900 cfm might be a little low for a blown 440
it all depends on the cam

how many miles are on the blown 440?
even with the blower, 8.5 to 1 should be ok for 91 octane.
do they have 93 octane near you?

 

Thanks for the comments.

Nope, never seen 93 octane in regular gas pumps in Southern California.

The blown 440 is basically 0 miles after a professional rebuild, was intended for a project that never got finished.

 

build the stroker blowers are a bitch on the street and they are right in the line of sight

 

Darn it, I think I was subconsciously hoping everyone would say go with the blower... I like the whirring sound.

 

for that price i wouldnt pass it up

 

I thought that the compression would have to be higher for a blower?

I would also build a stroker over taking a blown 440. For one, you can't see that a motor is stroked but you can see a blower installed. While looking cool, I'm all about sleeper vehicles.

 

i agree with the sleeper, but for under 4000 a blower,aluminum heads rollor rockers new rebuild, i dont think thats a unfair price heads alone are half that, (depending on brand) the compresson ratio of 8:5 could be too high or could be too low all depends on the gearing of the blower, the tooth count of the upper and lower pully, decides the boost

 

Speaking for myself, buy the blower motor from the friend, and flip it for some serious $ and hope he doesn't hate you! A stroker is a great choice for the street.

 

I agree w/ scotty, buy the blower pkg. sell the induction setup, then use that coin to tear the bottom end apart and use the new heads and stroke the hell outa the 440. ohhhhhh yeah.