[1972 new yorker]

I have a 1972 Chrysler New Yorker (4400 pounds) with 440/727 and 8 3/4 rearend with sure grip. This engine is rated at 225 hp and a low 8,2-1 compression ratio. I am new into Chrysler and have a lot of questions....I want to know the best way to make this car into a kind of performer. I know it is heavy, but I would like it to do low 13 sek on the strip. I think that I should need around 500 horses to get that goal. I am planning on stroking the 440 to 500 cui. I want as much low end torque I can get, to keep the rearend ratio nearly standard, and as smooth idle as possible. I want to hear about cam selection, which heads to use , I guess that the factory heads on this engine can't do the job - am I right about this?, intake that wil fit under my hood, carb. etc. Any suggestions are appreciated...

[Centerline]

You're not asking for the impossible but close to it.

Can a 440 be modified to move a 4400 lb. car into the low 13's? You bet.

Can it be done easily and cheaply? No way. Not if you want to keep the stock gearing and a smooth idle.

The first thing your're going to need to do is to select a good set of forged pistons with at least 10:1 compression. Factory heads 906's or 452's w/unleaded gas can be modified to do the job. Earlier closed chamber high performance castings would be better but would need hardened seats to run with unleaded fuel. A bit easier but way more expensive would be a good set of Edelbrock or Indy performance aluminum heads.

That's just to start and we haven't addressed exhaust, cam or induction. In short, without the benefit of a better gear ratio (I suspect your stock ratio is somewhere under 3.00) you're going to have to put a lot of grunt and muscle (translate that into $$$$) to get that 4400 lb. beast to move fast enough to turn 13's.

Good luck with your project.

[1972 new yorker]

Ok, maybe I knew that it was a little to much to ask for...

What I want is as smooth idle as possible, but I can understand that I have to live with a little cammy idle. Any suggestions about what roller cam to use or a hyd. flat tappet and Rhoads lifters. I have researched a little and Crane cams have a mild roller for a lot of bottom end, grind number HR-204/286-2-12. RPM range 800-5200, dur. 204/214, lift .429/.452. Not much lift though but ratio 1.6 rockers can make it .457/482. Remember that it is going to be a 500 cui engine.

[454C10]

Have you considered N20? A 200 shot should get you there. Plus you can keep the engine and gearing just as it is.

A turbo system could also be a simple bolt on. I recently saw a 875.00 junkyard turbo build on a 455 trans am that forced air down the carb using a single used ford power stroke turbo. Turbos are quiet, like low compression, small cams, automatics, and highway gearing. Could be a lot cheaper just to add a turbo to your current 440.

A small cam (a little bigger than stock), some mild bowl work on the heads, a better intake and carb, dual 2.5" exhaust with flow flow mufflers, and 8 to 10 psi of boost will make 500 hp on a 440. FYI, the turbo will quiet the exhaust down so high flow mufflers will not be loud.

You will also need a MSD boost retard. And an inter-cooler from a Turbo Buick Grand National or from a diesel truck would be nice for a little more power.