I am very happy with that! 😀Got me wondering how low that 450+ lb-ft of torque goes.

I just looked at my factory service manual. California 440 was rated 370 hp with 9.5 compression. 375 federal

The torque number is what counts and it’s very impressive. I’d call this a win all day long. Great cruiser engine and because it’s built by Nick it will be reliable. 👍

1/4in. spacer would do the trick.

One of the best dyno tests ever, and the knowledge, that lower compression and lower octane isn't a warrant for low performance. This engine at a realistic 370hp (timing at 36 degrees total) does better than a 375hp rated factory at 10.2 CR, I would say you're there, Nick! Beautiful build and break in, and no leaks!

That ought to be a tire fryer!!! I just put together a low compression 440 for my '70 Challenger R/T. I didn't rebuild it, I bought a low mileage RV motor. I pulled the heads, CC'd the chambers, measured the deck height and used steel head gaskets to get an 8.49 to 1 compression ratio. It's very docile and easy to drive. It also has a Comp Cams HE268 cam, Edelbrock Performer RPM intake, headers, a Holley 750 carb and a factory electronic ignition with a slightly modified advance curve. I'm guessing the horsepower to be similar to this engine but I'm sure the torque is less with my lower compression. the good news is I can run 87 octane and with the price of gas in September of 2023 that is nice. I plan on making a trip to the drag strip before the season ends in early November in my area and as long as I'm in the low 13's I'll be satisfied. It'll also give me a chance to optimize the timing. You have to love these old big blocks. Even with very mild specs they put out a ton of power and torque.

Hey Nick, those low-compression 440s were known as torque monsters, great job, you are the mopar guru!!

By the time Chrysler stopped manufacturing the 440 V8 in 1978, they had dropped the compression ratio down to 8.2:1. It ran on regular fuel.

Not gonna lie I wasn’t expecting to be impressed but those torque numbers down low were pretty killer, I bet it gets up and goes pretty good! 👍

Forgot, it might be worth chatting to your dyno' supplier for options, as for all of these engines that are destined for 'street' and 'cruiser' cars, especially automatics with low stall converters, it's probably be a good idea to take the runs from around 1800-2k, because that's where the owners will often be pulling from on the street, especially stop lights and signs? It'll also be handy for checking for 'pinking'from too much ignition advance.

For a 9.3:1 compression engine, those torque numbers are sweet; it'll move the Challenger relatively easy. A lot of modern production V8's don't make that much torque so early in the rev range and hold it like this one does. Good work as always.

I was a dyno operator at Chrysler from 1965 to 1990 and ran all these engines. Your testing procedure is not the same as ours. For engine horsepower rating runs we did the following. Back then we ran steady state power runs starting at 800 rpm and going to 5200 rpm taking readings every 400 rpm for 440's. Each power run took about an hour to run. We spent at least 5 minutes at each speed setting Max Power Torque Spark advance and setting the carb Air Fuel ratio to 12.5 at each speed. We blocked the intake manifold heat crossover port with a stainless steel plate. We wired the exhaust manifold heat riser valve open. We ran a deep sump pan with a 6 inch drop along with a windage tray. We ran 160 degree water and 180 degree oil temps. We had our intake air thermocouple attached to the carb stud right over the engine. We easily made around 400 hp with this engine under these conditions with this package.

Wow 😲 those California laws for the engine restrictions are nuts! Just another example of America being the land of the "free"🤔😂 Glad you got some good numbers and power for this customer Nick! 👍 As always! Thanks again guys. Your Challenger still looks incredible!👍 And this 440 sounds great!

That torque curve is beautiful. Well, it isn't much of a curve. It's pretty much just a straight line lol

Nice educational content. My suggestion is when you build and test an engine you list out a detailed parts "build sheet" with specs, (grocery list and recipe) on each video you create so subs don't have to take notes when you orally run through and assumes you covered each ingredient because folks at home who cannot send an engine to Canada to have built. My 2 cents.

I don’t even live in California, and I started packing clothes to move before I realized it. Glad I live in a state that doesn’t harass drivers of older classic cars. These cars are rarely driven more than a few miles at a time. The engine will not be as efficient with lower compression. Good to see a Nicks garage on a Monday.😁

By far the most real auto show on utube especially for Mopar fans. If I didn't have to work all day I'd be quite happy watching you work all day😄. Thanks for a fantastic show guys.

I glad to see a budget low compression build... us poor folk like a great low compression motor..

I was born and raised in California, I can’t get wait to get out of this state! Not just car emissions, they have their nose in every everybody’s business, no matter what it is!

Dr. Nick it is well known that California emissions are very strict, when I was in San Diego a few years ago, I saw the most muscle cars that I have ever seen , got to chat with other gear heads but no one said anything about getting any thing put up there tail pipe lol, cheers.

Big horsepower numbers are impressive when BSing with your buddies but, we all know that torque, especially down low, is what gets it done with a street engine. I'd be perfectly happy with those numbers if that engine was going into a car that I plan to put miles on.

Awsome Dyno Monday. The 440 was and always will be my favorite V8. Since I was 16 and had my first 440 powered mopar. Live it ! Ok 👌 👍

9.5 comp. works just fine in a 440, especially with the Dead ass garbage fuel they are selling us these days.

Great torque. Horse power isn’t bad at all. Steve Dulcich from Engine Masters and has written many a Mopar article. Dyno Test many big block Mopar’s. He has stated the the 440 Magnum never made 375 horsepower. Steve stated all the ones he had tested have been about 350-360. But he did state the 383’s made what they were rated at. My 78 Motor home with a 440 with a small Mopar RV cam, thorley Tri y headers made tremendous torque around 3000 rpm. But ran out of horsepower about 4800-5000 rpm.

Great work Nick. I'd love to visit your shop one day. ☕️

man those big eight cylinders sound cool just awesome great show

Hello Nick and everyone else

The 440 4-bbl High Performance engine (sales code E86, also sometimes called a "U code" or A-134) in my 1974 Dodge Charger SE had an 8.2:1 compression ratio and was rated at 275 h.p., SAE Net.

Peace love and muscle cars :)... I love that saying at the end... Really That's who we were back in the 70s... I like to think I've kept that persona all these decades. I love to see these videos of the figures that the stock 440 puts out. But I cannot deny that I really like to know what these engines and car combinations were capable of putting out at the rear wheels. I have heard some really extraordinary claims against them and for them... We know that they are going to lose a certain percentage Getting to the back wheels. Great job, Nick... Thanks for putting these out there

Nick i have watched that movie 4 times it was a great movie.....Thanks for the Dino 440 pull = Thanks Nick & George the Camera amazing man 👍 Old Shoe🇺🇸

Great job Nick! There is nothing better that a DYNO Blast!! Thanks Nick!

I've lived in California my entire life and have never heard of any police inspection with exhaust analysis that causes a car to be towed I don't think that 50 year old cars are even tested.. There are many car guys here with old muscle and hot rods.

Old school MOPAR seal when seals were seals .👍🏻🇦🇺💯⛽️

I have a malibu that came with a 307. I replaced it with a 396 and no smog pump. I put headers on it also. If you have a v8 and it's a 1975 or older your good. If you want a higher compression engine you can do it. The police are not following with emissions kits.

I worked at a shop in Massachusetts. Saw a couple of 440 motors come through. All but one were rebuilt to be near stock numbers. The oddball one got upgrades to make more power. About 520 hp if I remember correctly.

Another amazing video From Nick's Garage! I love the 440 Magnum its a beast when let loose! It's interesting how California smog laws have Effected this amazing engine and its potential in performance. Seriously what is the point of such a cool engine if its being smothered! Nick We sure appreciate your no nonsense way of getting to the point of all! Power & Torque and getting the job done! I have never seen you waver in any way & getting the most juice out of any engine! Absolutely the best Mopar content on KZfaq & thats a fact! Appreciate your efforts and talent Nick! A Fantastic view! Cheers to continued success in all you do!✌🏼👍🏼💫

The latter 70s 440 emissions engines went down to 8.2 compression with 195 HP @ 3600rpm and torque 320 at 2000 and these were for US non-California. Take 10 off the HP and torque for California.

I love 440's. I've owned 3 of them. Another nice job Nick. "Just what the doctor ordered!"

I have worked on a few imported from the US engines and the low compression Cal spec examples always seem to be very smooth. Down on power but smooth. 😁😁

My 413 with stealth heads is 9.4.1 and I use 87 when cruising and 93 when racing, i believe it's making about 340hp at the wheels from mph and et

Yasoo palikari. Tuned in from Adelaide Australia. Never missed an episode

I live in northern ca. About 40 miles north of SanFrancisco. 1975 and older don't require smog. And yep 91 octane is all we can get. My 71 v8 vega with a roller 350 I use 91 with a bottle of Lucas boost. The 350 tests 185 compression. Has a mechanical comp of 10.4 I keep water temp 175 ish. It is a carb.

Nick, when you say “my opinion”, I would say that counts for quite a bit! Love your show, love the work you do.

Top numbers for Dan's build Nick, sounds and runs real sweet Dan should be real happy with that one. That original seal did the trick to and perhaps one in Kendall's 383 would of been the answer. Till next time thanks Nick & George.

In the late I hung out with guy who's father built a bored and stroked 440 for his 67 Coronet station wagon. We thought he was nuts. Then when it was done and he took us for a ride we couldn't believe it. It would push it back in the seat like you are in a hopped-up charger. It also towed a big fiberglass boat with five guys and all sorts of gear when we would be going to the lake. All on regular gas. I wish I knew what the compression ratio was but I wasn't into it that much at the time.

KNEW NICK, would get her tune for all she is worth !!! Engine sounds great and will make a great street engine !!! Great job Nick ,you are the Master of Mopars !!!!!

Can't beat it for a low compression engine and just three HP under factory numbers. And a torque monster. Awesome!

Im actually surprised,I believe Nick has seen this done before...Lol

I have a 9.5 compression ratio in my 327. With a long duration cam I use 87 octane regular and it makes very good power.

I built a 440 years 9.4:1, with some work done we still turned 500hp

When you get it done, he should have it delivered to Denver.

The silly thing about the smog motors was the air pump fed into the system to increase the volume out the tailpipe, reducing the concentration of CO per unit volume- but It didn’t reduce the amount of CO. All it did was put a load on the crank through the accessory drive and the illusion of reduced emissions. For appearances sake……?

Luv it, sounds great !!

Terrific video, so educational. Just loved it. Keep them coming.

I wish I still had my 440! Thank you for bringing back the monster of my youth.

Sweet build there , thanks for another great video .

I remember the purchase and the build of the Kowaski car and I’m still in awe of it today! Love the videos after these years!

Nice job Nick! Another great quality build for your customer

I'd be happy with those numbers Nick! Great video as usual.

This video was so interesting as Nick builds engines for the real world. George, the quality of this video was over the top. I watched it this morning with my coffee in my Nick’s Garage mug. Just like the “old days” when the videos posted on Monday morning. Have a great week everyone.

Awesome show very cool 440 it will hold its own on the road keep them coming and see you Monday

Great video Nick... and chalk up another good build ...

You will hit the mark.

Great to see you back on the Dyno Nick Testing out another engine ! Seems like that factory seal is a good one , sure would be nice to acquire more! 😊

Oh finally- I've been in Nicks garage withdrawal. Here we go!!

Great video

Great video once again

Cheers from Calgary Nick and George, thanks for making Monday a day to look forward to.

Awesome build! George I really like the banners with the test specs, it’s a nice touch.

@Nick's Garage - Thank you for another interesting video! :) You have one of the very best channels on KZfaq.

Just sat down to watch my favorite show with a cup off coffee in my Nick's Garage mug! Hi Guys!

Great content ,info and respect for the owner wanting to respect the state laws

Hey George, those chest camera shots were great, you are getting very creative. Loved the whole dyno run, that horsepower surprised me. The owner should be happy with that. Good video

I'm sure it'll still be a Monster with Nick's skill!!!

Great content thanks for sharing

I was thinking 350 ! Plus it makes my day to see kowalski

Hi Nick, another Monday, and a low compression 440 from California on the Dyno!. I'm anxious to see what numbers this low compression 440 Kowalski motor will make. With the same internal parts except for the compression, I think it will be down at least 50 HP. Nick's Garage always makes my Monday a whole lot better.

I love it nick when you get down to basics with a not of your followers around! Just you! The Mopar Godfather

Nick your the master great job

My kind of engine Nick. Durable daily driver with lots of torque. Nice work!

👍Good stuff Sir Nick! Nice build.

them no leakers puts a big smile on nick. nice ta have things go your way sometimes. well done guys,,

every video i leave a like i think i missed one so far in the 3 years been subscribed! another awesome one again!

Mr Nick you the man that can, with that engine the torque is going to be what makes it fun for the average cruiser, like you said it is not a competition race engine,bet it lasts forever

Thanks Nick great video I liked the some of tips adjusting the dynos absorber not much info out there . Oldsmobile fans is a very small community hope you do more videos for us

i had a 360 with low compression it was surprisingly good on fuel country driving. it did have ported heads though.

Soooo Sweeeet! This a cool build.

The coolest thing is it did this with the iron manifolds on it.

That old carb will come in handy for a build like that came with a lot emissions mods..but you good at what you do ..good job

Hi nick nice engine you're so meticulous right away you went for the wrench to bolt down the distributor and took the timing light off the engine because you mentioned before the vibrations kill the it you're definitely an engine master

About California: Checking the car's emissions on the road was tried for a short time in the Bay area, but that was a few years ago. It did not go over well and it was discontinued. Even then the offenders did not get towed. And it was not classic cars that were targeted. There aren't enough classic cars for that to make sense. It was 20 year old commuter cars. 1975 model year and older cars are not subjected to smog checks in California. And there is no safety checks like in some states either. As for the gasoline, not only is 91 octane the best you can get, it is all 10-15 percent ethanol. I have a belief that you, Nick, should either use similar E15 gas when you tune an engine on the dyno or throw in richer jets if it is intended for California or one of the other states that does not have zero ethanol gas, which is more than half of them. I have heard that jetting "two steps up" is a minimum for E10 gas. And last but not least, gas is $1.50 more in California than the average for the rest of the country. And it is price fixing, not government regulations and taxes. Well, one dollar of that is. Even Hawaii pays less for gas. And they use gas from here. Expect seven dollar a gallon gas by fall of 2024 in time for the election. I think the problem with having an engine rebuilt in California is more personnel than regulations. California never had a tradition of having skilled trades. Compared to say, Michigan, where a lot of guys have worked in machine shops. Even the high school history teacher has probably worked in a machine shop in the past. These guys don't measure clearances, or tolerances or balance rotating assemblies or even know how to do it. Many guys working in engine rebuilding shops are close to illiterate even in their own language. A lot of the precision tools are covered in dust because , say, no one knows why you should, say , align hone, or square decks, or use a honing plate. It is true that you can't get a real hot tank job and a lot of other things in California.

I like this engine. It’s got kick in the pants instant off idle torque and spins to low to mid 5,000s. A very good engine for a 3500 to 4400 pound car. That engine will make the customers Challenger a very sweet ride with a great sounding idle and exhaust note. That car will every day be a satisfying enjoyable drive at any legal or reasonable speed it will encounter on the street.

You can dial in quite abit of timing into lower compression engines without detonation problems such as this 440 .

Evenin Mr George and Mr Nick!! Have a Great week!!

Hi Nick and crew

Let's go!!

Can't ask for more!! A lot of low end grunt on pump gas. Very reliable to boot. Tire burner! With ease!!

440 kicks butt!! Would love to see you build a Slant 6 motor, I think your magic can put some grunt in them!

I just Love all Mopars because thay have More Power than anything else out there

In California they used to have emissions testing equipment at the side of the road. If you drove by and set off an alarm, you'd get a letter and have 2 weeks to get it tested at a referee station. For $250! At least that'd give you enough time to put all the emissions crap back. Or swap the engine back. 😂