Piston & cam selection 4.6L for street 1936 Dodge

[johnhalabama]

I'm doing something a little different & would like some input. I'm building a 4.6L Stroker for a 1936 Dodge to be driven on the street.

I need some advice on Cam, Piston & possibly transmission. Just trying to work this out before I get too far into it.

Should I go with the KB 945 pistons for higher compression since this will be driven on the street?
Looking for a little more agressive cam than stock. Won't be running high rpm's, just driving and possibly pulling a small trailer.
I have a fresh rebuilt 904 three speed automatic with a new converter (Stock not high stall). I hate to have to go after another transmission but I can get chase down a 4x2 automatic or 4 speed manual.


This is basically what I'm building:
96 4.0L block/head, block bored 0.040 over
.043 head gasket
zero deck block
1981 258 crank
4.0 rods
KB 944 pistons or KB 945 pistons (Should I go with the 945 to get higher compression for the street) Not real concerned about running cheap gas.
Cam (Need some advice on cam) Planning on running 904 3 speed automatic w/ 3.08 gears / 26.7" o.d. rear tires (I may swap this for a 5 speed automatic from a 4x2 or a 4 speed manual because of obvious performance and reasons but I have a 904 freshly rebuilt with a new converter)
Mopar Roller rockers
Clifford Intake w/ single 390 Holley four barrel carb.
Clifford split header w/ dual 2.5" exhaust, no cat. Flowmaster mufflers.
Cloyes Double-roller timing set
Ported & polish head.

[SilverXJ]

Should I go with the KB 945 pistons for higher compression since this will be driven on the street?

Only if you want to run race gas.

Looking for a little more agressive cam than stock. Won't be running high rpm's, just driving and possibly pulling a small trailer.

I recommend comp 68-231-4, one of Lunati's grinds or call a cam manufacture and get a custom cam if you are looking for good low end torque.

[johnhalabama]

Thanks. I don't think I've seen anyone running the KB 945's. I figured that would be pushing it even with high octane pump gas.

Still undecided on the cam. Probably running 2000-3800 rpm's on the street. I've got 3.73 gears with a locker right now but with no overdrive so I need to go to a higher ratio in the rear. 3.08's will put me right around where I want to be at hwy speed. I have a feeling that I'm fighting myself on that one unless I swap transmissions and higher stall or go with a manual so I can get a little more out of the cam. Just going for something different. Any more suggestions on a good street cam would be welcome. My next step is to call the mfg as suggested and tell them what I'm running.

Almost done with my frame and ready to get the engine to the machine shop. I know it's different that most of the stroker builds on here because I'm not looking for killer low end. I do plan on building another one for that when I finish the 36 Dodge.

Thanks for the advice.

John - Chesapeake, VA

[SilverXJ]

Looking for a little more agressive cam than stock. Won't be running high rpm's, just driving and possibly pulling a small trailer.

I know it's different that most of the stroker builds on here because I'm not looking for killer low end.

Those two statements really contradict each other. What are you looking for then?

Thanks. I don't think I've seen anyone running the KB 945's. I figured that would be pushing it even with high octane pump gas.

Even the 944s require premium.

[johnhalabama]

Sorry for the confusion. I think I am more concerned about loosing the low end power with the higher gears and automatic 3 speed. It will be a street driven motor only. I ment I'm not going to be rock crawling with it but I do want to pull a small tear drop camping trailer (around 1,100 lbs). I'm not going to be hot rodding or racing it. I just want a good dependable engine built a little more than stock that I can drive every day and pull something if I need to.

That is where I was considering going with different automatic or manual to give me more gears over the full range. Just trying to get the most out of the whole set up.

[johnhalabama]

I can fix the transmission/gear ratio problem by going with a 42re automatic from a 4x2 which will give me an extra gear and I can leave my rear axle at the 3.73 with the locker. Only problem with that is it is an electronic lock up so I would have to figure out how to get around that but then I am back to just nailing down the right cam.

[SilverXJ]

I wouldn't use a 42RE. Its a known POS.

[yuppiexj]

Especially since 2wd Cherokees came with an AW4 transmission.
It will bolt right up to the 4.0 block and the electronics are simple.

[johnhalabama]

Cool. Thanks for the input guys. I emailed to find out which model transmission this guy has for sure. I've been reading stuff all day and everything I have found supports it is a POS.

I know someone that works on transmissions at the local Jeep dealership. Going to hit him up but I'm considering ditching the 904 and go for the extra gear. That will solve a lot of problems and I don't have to mess with the ring & pinion.

[johnhalabama]

I went thru the tech support at Luniti cams with all of my engine specs and what I want to use it for. I got an email back saying they recommend I use #64502 (which is a V8 AMC cam. Where did that come from???) Customer service is starting off bad.

Below is the email:

John,

The cam that I would run is part # 64502. If you have any questions
please feel free to let me know.

Shane


LUNATI
Shane Pochon
11126 Willow Ridge Dr.
Olive Branch, MS 38654
Phone 662-892-1500 Ext:1103
Fax 662-890-6309
[email protected]
WWW.LUNATIPOWER.COM
www.Facebook.com/TheRacersCompany

[shawnxj]

he prolly meant the 63502 which is the 4.0 cam. honestly you'd prolly do better to call and talk to steve, he's the guy that pointed me towards the springs i'm using which are 1/3 the price of the crowers and don't require any work other then shaving the spring locator down some. i'll be running the 63501 cam mainly because i liked the torque profile on desktop dyno more then the 63502's

[johnhalabama]

he prolly meant the 63502 which is the 4.0 cam. honestly you'd prolly do better to call and talk to steve, he's the guy that pointed me towards the springs i'm using which are 1/3 the price of the crowers and don't require any work other then shaving the spring locator down some. i'll be running the 63501 cam mainly because i liked the torque profile on desktop dyno more then the 63502's

You are correct. He emailed back and it is the 63502 he recommended.

I'm also liking the Isky 270-HL

[johnhalabama]

After comparing numbers between a couple of programs I've decided on the Isky 133127 cam. @ 2 deg advance it works perfect and give me a scr of 9.75 and dcr of 7.98 using KB944 .040 over pistons. Pretty much need to get all of my part numbers together and start shopping parts now.

If anyone has desktop dyno or another program to double check some numbers for me I would appreciate it.

Thanks again for all of the info and input. I'll get some more pictures of the 1936 Dodge up under projects once I get the motor over to Abacus. I wanted to wait and get stroker pictures instead of me working on the frame and taking up space. It should be something different.

John - Chesapeake, VA

[gradon]

Sounds like a good combo of parts.

[johnhalabama]

Does anyone have the specs on the Clifford 97-2041-K272 HYD cam or the 97-2081-K-280 HYD cam?

I've emailed Larry @ Clifford but wanted to go ahead and run the numbers with my build if anyone has them.

Thanks,

John