New Engine for the Challenger

[Steve Wood]

That is some neat stuff but it must cost a bunch to do small runs

this would be ideal for the 4.1's as well as the guys trying to get one more engine out of a block

[earlbrown]

Not really. They're setup to do onsie-twosies.

My goal is to get a set of pistons, pins, locks and rings for $500 a set.  It's looking like the final price is going to be around $550/set since forgings went up after I started this project.

Normally there's a price increase (and extra lead time) if I change more than OD, CH, and rings.  Since they're trying to be almost like a mom and pop type shop, I've been getting away with pin changes since that's a pretty easy thing to change on my print.


The really cool thing is someone won't have to pay to bore a block. They can just hone the worst hole clean and I can make the slugs from there. Also, if you want quench or more compression, I can move the pin down. That way you don't have to deck the crap out of the block and buy expensive hard to seal Cometics. I can move the slug up and run cheaper VR composite type gaskets.

 I figure getting out of the cost of boring, decking, and more expensive gaskets will damn near pay for the pistons.

...and if something happens down the road like a screw going through the throttlebody or a broke vavlespring, They can make one matched replacement piston for regular price.

[Forzfed]

Steve, why so small?  Should be a fun car but your going to bend it in half with all that torque!

Earl, those pistons look really nice!  How about making exact head gaskets for the 4.1 that will take boost?

[Steve Wood]

They did not have a 572.   With nitto 555's on the car, I doubt I have to worry about planting enuf power to the pavement to worry about bending the car tho it needs some "connectors" to stiff up the unibody.

I had bought a set of aluminum heads for the 440 when I decided to go this route.  Yesterday, I shipped the heads off to be used in the build.  Two big block aluminum heads in a box are a lot heavier than the ads seem to mention.  Got to UPS and tucked the box under my arm and barely made it through the door and up to the counter...damn thing weighed 64 lbs...too much for an old man...those 50 lb bag of feeds are not nearly as heavy feeling.

Had the rocker arms, head bolts and stuff in another box.  Thank goodness!

[Top Speed]

Sounds like a fun project.  I am glad you are having fun!

[Steve Wood]

some days I have to check with someone else to determine if this is fun or masochism .

[earlbrown]

.......or both! 

[nocooler]

Sounds fun Steve

[Steve Wood]

I hope so!  I also ordered a new tranny built to hold it along with new headers and some larger front brakes

Engine is basically a big rv engine in combination... .relatively small cam, small carb, small intake, etc.  Should dyno about 525-530 hp at 5300 rpm and about 650 ft-lbs of torque around 3700 rpm.   Should have a nice flat power band....

[Scoobum]

650 ft lbs of torque. Two words. Wheelie bars.

[Steve Wood]

Won't have any traction so no need

[nocooler]

Steve sounds like your spending all the kids inheritance funds 

[Steve Wood]

ah, this was an econo motor..but, I consider reinvesting it for Taylor's future

[daveismissing]

Young'un needs a good engine to go with those seats he found

[Steve Wood]

Here is the dyno sheet.  Engine is build completely different than what I would have put together but it makes a lot of torque down low.  Given the extremely stiff suspension and the 255's on the rear, I suspect it will be unsafe at any speed....small vacuum secondary carb and a mild 230 deg cam along with 526 cubic inches makes a low rpm torquer.