Best street cam for 440 HP......

[tcs69rt]

I tried to search this question but had no luck so i will ask it here. I have a 440 in my RT and disc brakes on the front drums on the rear all stock. What has been a reliable cam for a 440 without losing vacuum in the brake booster? Thanks! TC

[Kern Dog]

Sorry, friend. This is a very broad question that cannot be easily answered without knowing a whole lot more.
Not trying to be rude here.
Choosing a camshaft is always some compromise. A light car used strictly for racing will benefit from a far different cam than a heavy street car that is never raced.
High compression engines will want a different cam than a motorhome 440 with 7 1/2 to 1 compression.
When a person says that the car is "All stock" could also mean a variety of things. Parts do get changed over the years and even if it actually is "stock", these cars had several axle ratios available , the engine may have been rebuilt with lower compression pistons, etc and that does matter when picking a camshaft. The taller the axle gearing, the milder cam that you'd need to maintain good drivability.
The safest choice (a factory stock camshaft) will not make the most power. It also won't make the car run poorly at low speeds.

[Nacho-RT74]

A misteriousy camshaft for a misteriousy engine setup LOL

Maybe The BOB KARAKASHIAN camshaft if still available from him

[b5blue]

This isn't hard at all. Call them https://www.hughesengines.com/Index/index.php

[Kern Dog]

Of course it isn't hard to call someone else. The man asked THE FORUM for help, not advice on where to ask.

[496polara]

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,106687.0.html


Hard to argue with these results.If your engine is similar to this the xe274 is impressive. If your engine is closer to stock the xe268 may be a better fit. Either would have no problems with power brakes.

More details on your exact setup will help.

These are proven examples by a very accomplished engine builder and member here.

[b5blue]

The fact is BOB KARAKASHIAN gave me this advice. My 440 runs great! 

[Mopar Nut]

Maybe The BOB KARAKASHIAN camshaft if still available from him

Yes, the tried and true six pack cam for a stock 440.

[tcs69rt]

I guess I don't know how to ask/write a cam question properly? I didn't know there was a requirement of certain info by some of you. All stock = meant the brakes all around. The rear is a 3.23. And as far as the advice offered by b5blue ...I will take it. Thanks for the help!

[Kern Dog]

If you ask a question of people that actually want to help you, they will need more information to better help you.
Any idiot can just spit out a suggestion but what good is it if their advice sucks?
Do you tell your doctor that "I don't feel good" and then expect him/her to come up with some remedy without knowing more?
Camshafts are responsible for a LOT in regards to how the engine will perform so just stabbing in anything that will fit is a real gamble.
Sometimes you don't know how complicated an answer can be until others tell you.
The suggestion to call Hughes Engines is not necessarily a bad one but Dave Hughes can be pretty curt and to the point. He is not an overly friendly guy. He isn't one to chit chat, he is usually ALL business and you'd do well to have all the answers that have been asked HERE ready to go when speaking to him. He knows his stuff but is not going to hold your hand.
Stepping back a bit...
If you were to have stated that you were interested in a camshaft a few steps up from stock but still streetable for the 3.23 gearing and power brakes, that would have helped others steer you in the right direction.

[Dino]

I have a stock 440 and 3:23 gears and I am very happy with the Crower 32242. Reliable daily driver with good vacuum and a nice power band. With 28" tall and 275 cm wide tires, it still easily spins if I go from a stop a bit spirited, and that's with a horrible torque converter.

[Mike DC]

Here's a list of stock 383/440 HP cam specs that somebody posted on another site.  I'm not sure about the accuracy.   

https://www.forbbodiesonly.com/moparforum/threads/original-factory-cam-duration-383-440mag-was-it-228-241-or-213-225-or-208-221-ugh.85333/

440: Stock Hydraulic P4452783
Intake Duration, Nominal 268° Exhaust Duration, Nominal 284°
Intake Duration @ .050" 208° Exhaust Duration @ .050" 221°
Intake Lobe Centerline 113° ATDC Exhaust Lobe Centerline 117° BTDC
Lobe Separation Angle 115° Overlap 46°
Intake Opens 21° BTDC Exhaust Opens 79° BBDC
Intake Closes 67° ABDC Exhaust Closes 25° ATDC
Intake Lift .450" Exhaust Lift .458"
Note: original 440, Commando, 383 Magnum etc. high-performance cam
Note: 208/220° @ .050" (R. Karkashian)
Note: as installed on 113° centerline per Chrysler
 

The factory 383 Magnum had the same cam as the 440 Magnum, and the 383 Mag was civilized enough for mass production with power brakes and everything.  440 inches is about 115% of 383 inches.  So a 440 Magnum would need 115% of its stock cam airflow just to be as "souped up" as a stock 383 Magnum. 

But going bigger is only beneficial if you use it.  How often do you have the motor revving up high in real life?  If you use a camshaft to pile on more horsepower at 6000 then it's coming at the expense of grunt torque at 1500.  That may or may not suit your purposes.  Gotta keep the combo matched with the gearing & carb & manifolds. 

The motor's compression ratio is a factor too.  It affects the cam choice.  I bring this up because "stock rebuild" pistons are not always what they are advertised to be.  Some are lower compression.   
 

[Kern Dog]

The shorter stroke of a 383 compared to a 440 is a handicap regarding torque.
The 383 I built for Jigsaw....



Is 9.3 to 1 with mildly ported iron heads, an Edelbrock Performer RPM intake, 750 Holley and 1 7/8" headers.
It has the 280/474 Mopar Performance camshaft. It idles nice but has low vacuum. The engine feels gutless below 3000 rpms compared to the 440/495 in this car:



The 3.38" stroke of a 383 does cripple it a bit compared to the 3.75" in an RB engine and it is worse with a stroked 440.

[Nacho-RT74]

I have a stock 440 and 3:23 gears and I am very happy with the Crower 32242. Reliable daily driver with good vacuum and a nice power band. With 28" tall and 275 cm wide tires, it still easily spins if I go from a stop a bit spirited, and that's with a horrible torque converter.

I'm using the 32243 but is a stroked 400 (451) on ~10 CR. 3.55 (SG) with 28" tires and 175K MP converter. I like a lot. But wondering what was happened if I was choosen the 32242.

I think should go with a slightly higher stall converter thought

I was bought initially the MP 280/.474 and even bought it but changed of mind on last moment.

[496polara]

Have never run either of the crower cams but they have a good reputation. The old MP 280-.474 was one of my favorite cams.Liked compression and 3.55 gears in my 73 Charger. Heavy car so a 3000 stall and it would get on the power quick.

[Kern Dog]

I had a 280/474 in my first 440, a standard bore with new rings, bearings and gaskets. The heads were milled but I doubt compression was 9.0 to 1. That dude ripped! Plenty streetable, enough vacuum for power brakes too. The same cam in my 383 and the car is sluggish.

[496polara]

Advance the cam and/or get some more compression.I can see a 383 wanting a 3500 converter with that cam.