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How to Build Max-Performance Mopar Big Blocks
Starting in the early 1960s, Mopar Wedge engines powered a wide range of Chrysler muscle cars, such as the Dodge Charger, Daytona Charger, Super Bee, Challenger, as well as Plymouth Barracuda, Superbird, Road Runner, GTX, and others. Many times these high-powered muscle cars were pursued by equally high-powered Dodge and Plymouth police cars that were also packing Mopar big-block power under the hood. In 1978, the last of the Mopar big-blocks rolled down the production line, but in an odd twist of fate, the popularity of the Mopar surged again in street and strip cars during the 1980s. By the 1990s, the big Mopar engine was more popular than ever.
This book covers how to build Mopar's 383-, 400-, 413-, 426-, and 440-ci engines to power levels of 600 to 900 hp. How to Build Max-Performance Mopar Big Blocks discusses how to properly budget your engine build for a specific performance target and how to select a stock or aftermarket block for the desired performance level. The reciprocating assembly (crankshaft, connecting rods, and pistons) is examined in detail, to help you select the right design and material for durability and performance requirements. Cylinder heads and valvetrain configurations are crucial for generating maximum horsepower and torque. This volume discusses all the stock modification options, the best setups, selecting the right machine work, the latest aftermarket head options for producing huge horsepower, and building stroker engines. The camshafts and lifters chapter compares and contrasts use of hydraulic flat tappet, hydraulic roller, and solid flat tappet cams. In addition, the book explains how to optimize fresh and spent fuel, discussing single- and dual-plane intake manifolds, as well as the exhaust-system design to optimize scavenging. Also details engine builds at 600, 700, 800, and 900 horsepower levels to provide insight and reveal what can be done with real-world component packages.
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Preface
Introduction
Chapter 1: Planning the Engine Build
Budgeting Process
Power Goals
Formulas for Engine Design
Mopar-Specific Design Choices
Chapter 2: The Cylinder Block
Cylinder Block Selection
Thin Wall Controversy
Basic Block Dimensions
Fixes for the Factory Block
Aftermarket Blocks
Main Bearings
Cylinder Bore Preparation
Decking
Block Detailing
Valve Notches
Chapter 3: The Oil System
Oil Pump
Internal Oiling System
External Oiling System
Pump Cover
The Intermediate Shaft
Oil Pan
Oil Type and Operation Temperature
Oil Filter and Cooler
Dry Sump System
Top-End vs. Bottom-End Oiling
Extra Lubrication Requirements
Chapter 4: Crankshafts
Crankshaft Selection
The Funny Car Crankshaft
Crankshaft Preparation
Balancing
Harmonic Damper
Chapter 5: Connecting Rods
Connecting Rod Selection
Aluminum Rods
Connecting Rod Preparation
Rotating Assembly Balancing
Chapter 6: Pistons
Compression Ratio Considerations
Valve-to-Piston Clearance
Combustion Chamber Clearance
Piston-to-Head Clearance
Piston Rings
Gas Ports
Piston Pin Diameter
Vacuum Pump Considerations
Chapter 7: Cylinder Heads and Valves
Standard Port Cylinder Head
Max-Wedge-Port-Size Heads
Bigger Than Max-Wedge
Head Gaskets
Head Flow and Cam Lift
Valves
Porting
Chapter 8: The Valvetrain
Rocker Arm Geometry
Rocker Arm Ratio
Rocker Arm Material
Rocker Arm Types
Rocker Shafts and Supports
Rocker Arm Width and Length
Side Clearance and Alignment
Multiple Shaft Systems
Pushrods
Chapter 9: Camshafts and Lifters
Duration
Single Pattern vs. Dual Pattern
Lifters
Roller Lifters and Valvetrain Oiling
Rev Kits
Lifter Bore Bushings
Camshaft Bearings
Large-Diameter Cam Bearings
Roller Cam Bearings
Firing Order
Chapter 10: Camshaft Drives and Valvesprings
Timing Chains
Roller Cam Thrust
Timing-Chain Covers
Belt Drive
Gear Drive
Valvesprings
Chapter 11: Intake Manifolds
Standard Port Intakes, B and RB
Max-Wedge Port Intakes, B and RB
B1 Intake Options
EFI
Chapter 12: Carburetors
Classic 4150 Double Pumper
The 4500 Dominator
Tuner-Friendly Carburetors
Edelbrock and Carter Carburetors
Carburetor Spacers
Chapter 13: Ignition Systems
Electronic Ignitions
Distributor
Belt-Driven Distributor
Crank Trigger
Spark Plugs
Indexing the Spark Plugs
Spark Plug Wires
Chapter 14: Accessories
Water Pumps, Electric and Belt-Driven
Alternator Kits
Engine Mounting Systems, Motor Plates and Elephant Ears
High-Performance Hoses and Fittings
Chapter 15: Exhaust Systems
Cast Manifolds
Headers
Picking a Header Size
Relocated Exhaust Ports
Merged Collectors and 4-2-1 Headers
Stepped Tubes
Chapter 16: Tuning
Reading the Plugs
Wide Band
Dynamometer Testing
Chassis Dyno Testing
Chapter 17: The Fantastic 451 and Other Engine Combinations
Fantastic 451/470
Two Ways to 512
Big Bad 572
Chapter 18: Recipes for Power
600 HP
700 HP
800 HP
900 HP
Engine Build Sheets
Source Guide
Starting in the early 1960s, Mopar Wedge engines powered a wide range of Chrysler muscle cars, such as the Dodge Charger, Daytona Charger, Super Bee, Challenger, as well as Plymouth Barracuda, Superbird, Road Runner, GTX, and others. Many times these high-powered muscle cars were pursued by equally high-powered Dodge and Plymouth police cars that were also packing Mopar big-block power under the hood. In 1978, the last of the Mopar big-blocks rolled down the production line, but in an odd twist of fate, the popularity of the Mopar surged again in street and strip cars during the 1980s. By the 1990s, the big Mopar engine was more popular than ever.
This book covers how to build Mopar's 383-, 400-, 413-, 426-, and 440-ci engines to power levels of 600 to 900 hp. How to Build Max-Performance Mopar Big Blocks discusses how to properly budget your engine build for a specific performance target and how to select a stock or aftermarket block for the desired performance level. The reciprocating assembly (crankshaft, connecting rods, and pistons) is examined in detail, to help you select the right design and material for durability and performance requirements. Cylinder heads and valvetrain configurations are crucial for generating maximum horsepower and torque. This volume discusses all the stock modification options, the best setups, selecting the right machine work, the latest aftermarket head options for producing huge horsepower, and building stroker engines. The camshafts and lifters chapter compares and contrasts use of hydraulic flat tappet, hydraulic roller, and solid flat tappet cams. In addition, the book explains how to optimize fresh and spent fuel, discussing single- and dual-plane intake manifolds, as well as the exhaust-system design to optimize scavenging. Also details engine builds at 600, 700, 800, and 900 horsepower levels to provide insight and reveal what can be done with real-world component packages.
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Preface
Introduction
Chapter 1: Planning the Engine Build
Budgeting Process
Power Goals
Formulas for Engine Design
Mopar-Specific Design Choices
Chapter 2: The Cylinder Block
Cylinder Block Selection
Thin Wall Controversy
Basic Block Dimensions
Fixes for the Factory Block
Aftermarket Blocks
Main Bearings
Cylinder Bore Preparation
Decking
Block Detailing
Valve Notches
Chapter 3: The Oil System
Oil Pump
Internal Oiling System
External Oiling System
Pump Cover
The Intermediate Shaft
Oil Pan
Oil Type and Operation Temperature
Oil Filter and Cooler
Dry Sump System
Top-End vs. Bottom-End Oiling
Extra Lubrication Requirements
Chapter 4: Crankshafts
Crankshaft Selection
The Funny Car Crankshaft
Crankshaft Preparation
Balancing
Harmonic Damper
Chapter 5: Connecting Rods
Connecting Rod Selection
Aluminum Rods
Connecting Rod Preparation
Rotating Assembly Balancing
Chapter 6: Pistons
Compression Ratio Considerations
Valve-to-Piston Clearance
Combustion Chamber Clearance
Piston-to-Head Clearance
Piston Rings
Gas Ports
Piston Pin Diameter
Vacuum Pump Considerations
Chapter 7: Cylinder Heads and Valves
Standard Port Cylinder Head
Max-Wedge-Port-Size Heads
Bigger Than Max-Wedge
Head Gaskets
Head Flow and Cam Lift
Valves
Porting
Chapter 8: The Valvetrain
Rocker Arm Geometry
Rocker Arm Ratio
Rocker Arm Material
Rocker Arm Types
Rocker Shafts and Supports
Rocker Arm Width and Length
Side Clearance and Alignment
Multiple Shaft Systems
Pushrods
Chapter 9: Camshafts and Lifters
Duration
Single Pattern vs. Dual Pattern
Lifters
Roller Lifters and Valvetrain Oiling
Rev Kits
Lifter Bore Bushings
Camshaft Bearings
Large-Diameter Cam Bearings
Roller Cam Bearings
Firing Order
Chapter 10: Camshaft Drives and Valvesprings
Timing Chains
Roller Cam Thrust
Timing-Chain Covers
Belt Drive
Gear Drive
Valvesprings
Chapter 11: Intake Manifolds
Standard Port Intakes, B and RB
Max-Wedge Port Intakes, B and RB
B1 Intake Options
EFI
Chapter 12: Carburetors
Classic 4150 Double Pumper
The 4500 Dominator
Tuner-Friendly Carburetors
Edelbrock and Carter Carburetors
Carburetor Spacers
Chapter 13: Ignition Systems
Electronic Ignitions
Distributor
Belt-Driven Distributor
Crank Trigger
Spark Plugs
Indexing the Spark Plugs
Spark Plug Wires
Chapter 14: Accessories
Water Pumps, Electric and Belt-Driven
Alternator Kits
Engine Mounting Systems, Motor Plates and Elephant Ears
High-Performance Hoses and Fittings
Chapter 15: Exhaust Systems
Cast Manifolds
Headers
Picking a Header Size
Relocated Exhaust Ports
Merged Collectors and 4-2-1 Headers
Stepped Tubes
Chapter 16: Tuning
Reading the Plugs
Wide Band
Dynamometer Testing
Chassis Dyno Testing
Chapter 17: The Fantastic 451 and Other Engine Combinations
Fantastic 451/470
Two Ways to 512
Big Bad 572
Chapter 18: Recipes for Power
600 HP
700 HP
800 HP
900 HP
Engine Build Sheets
Source Guide
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