Project Rumblefish

Slide Show

Building a Mopar 440 Bullet

When somebody tells us they’re building a project car, we can’t help but get involved. Call it a weakness, call it an obsession. But when Don Lower, who owns a tubbed 1970 Plymouth Barracuda affectionately dubbed Project RumbleFish, told us about his plan to swap out a 383 for a built 440, it was kinda like waving candy at a little kid.

The goal for the 440 was twofold: Build an engine capable of powering the Barracuda to 10.5 second quarter miles, and use as many pieces from Mopar Performance as possible.

While browsing the MP catalog, we found a cross bolted, siamesed bore engine block, a 4.15 inch stroke race crankshaft, forged connecting rods, a .557 inch lift mechanical cam, and Stage VI aluminum heads. We followed the recommendations in the catalog’s High Performance Tips section and went with an M1 aluminum intake manifold and a 830 cfm Holley double pumper carburetor. Ignition is MP’s excellent electronic setup.

About the only things we didn’t get from Mopar Performance were the Crane roller rockers, ARP fasteners, Fluidampr harmonic damper, and the CSR electric water pump.The 440 will be backed by a 727 Torqueflite with an MP manual valve body and a Dana 60 rear axle with 4.56 gears.

So, let's take scoop up so go-fast candy and build us a big block Chrysler, OK?

10 Second ETs the Mopar Performance Way
For years, Mopar Performance has included a special section in the back of its catalog to help racers build quick Mopars. Called High Performance Tips, the section lists engine and chassis recommendations based on actual testing by Mopar engineers.

Nowadays, Mopar has complete books based on engine type. The listings are broken down by engine type and elapsed time. Want to build an 11 second small block Dart, a 10 second big powered E-body, or even a screaming 12 second Slant 6? The factory has the parts and advice to help you do just that. There are even recommendations for 2.2L/2.5L four-cylinder and Jeep engines. ee Summit Racing has a complete online listing of Mopar Performance books.

Here is the basic outline of the 10.90 Second Package as outlined in the Mopar Performance Big Block B/RB Engines book (DCC-4876825, available by special order from Summit Racing):
Engine
* 11.0:1 compression
* Solid flat tappet cam (296 degrees advertised duration, .557 inch lift
* Ported Mopar Performance Stage V cast iron cylinder heads
* 1.5 ratio aluminum rocker arms
* 750 cfm double pumper carburetor
* Single plane intake manifold
* SFI approved steel harmonic damper
* 110 octane race gas

Chassis
* 3,400 pounds maximum weight
* 48.5 percent weight distribution front to rear minimum
* 4.56 rear axle gears
* 2,500 rpm stall race torque converter
* Trans-brake

We did deviate from Mopar’s list and swapped the heads for Stage VI ported aluminum cylinder heads to save some weight and run a (barely) more streetable 10.5 1 compression.