Reasons Why You Need a Blower Kit for 440 Mopar Engines
Mopar engines have become a part of the legend when it comes to vintage cars, and if you own a vehicle with one, you already know why. But sometimes, people would want to find a way to boost the performance even further, and there are a couple of ways to do it.
The simplest way is to install a supercharger. Here, we will talk about a blower kit 440 Mopar engines, superchargers that fit them, and what your options are for installation and type of blowers.
Mopar Engines and Cars That Use Them
Mopar stands for Motor Parts, and it is a company that was once a part of the Chrysler Corporation, now owned by Stellantis, a Dutch-based company. The original idea behind Mopar was to launch a brand of antifreeze. But, over the years, Mopar became a synonym for all vehicles designed by original Chrysler Corp, prior to the acquisition.
Of course, that wasn’t always the case. When Mopar was first introduced, the company designed parts for Chrysler cars. People soon noticed the quality and performance of Chrysler vehicles, which made Mopar cars rather popular.
However, Mopar never focused on designing cars, and you can only find a couple of models designed by them. Usually, Mopar would launch a limited series of already existing cars, but with improved parts and higher performance.
Mopar was also a sponsor for numerous racing classes and series around the world.
440 Engine by Chrysler
This leads us to big-block engines, also known as B and RB engines by Chrysler. The production of these engines started in 1958, and they were available until 1978. During these twenty years, Chrysler designed numerous different engines. There are two categories of big-block engines you can find:
- B engines
- RB engines (raised B or raised deck height)
The first category includes:
- 350
- 361
- 383
- 400
And the second one includes:
- 413
- 426
- 440
Our primary focus here is 440 engines, 7.2-liter models with 440 cu in. The production of 440s started in 1965 and lasted until the last year in 1978. One of the things we should mention is that, in 1972, there were changes in how companies rated horsepower. They went from counting gross power, which includes engine only, to the net with other equipment that contributes to overall power.
That is why we can notice a difference between models before and after 1972, including models that were on the turning point. In 1972, 440 engines produced 335 bhp, but the net rating was 225 hp. This just shows the difference even though it is the same engine with the same power. The lower number is more realistic.
What Is a 440 Mopar Blower?
When talking about Mopar blowers, we refer to any type of supercharger that can fit Mopar engines. But, that doesn’t mean that blowers are universal and that there is one type designed for all Mopar engines.
Even for 440 models, there are a different types of superchargers you can find on the market. Each is designed for a specific series of vehicles, which means you need to know a couple of details before you can go searching for a suitable supercharger.
There are three main categories of superchargers, and you can find them available for 440 Mopar engines:
- Superturbochargers
- Centrifugal superchargers
- Positive displacement pumps
Keep in mind that Mopar doesn’t design blowers. Instead, we refer to any supercharger that can fit the 440 engine designed by Chrysler.
It is up to you to pick the model you like, and each of the listed types of superchargers has its own advantages and disadvantages. In essence, it all comes down to what you’re trying to achieve with this upgrade.
What Cars Can Use a 440 Blower Kit
Since Chrysler’s big-block engines have been available for two decades, there are many different models that use them. Here, we will take a look at the vehicles that have a 440 engine, which will help you understand whether you need this upgrade at all.
If your car is not on the list, it probably means that it uses a different type of engine. As a result, you might need to find a different type of supercharger for your vehicle.
| Chrysler 300 Series | Chrysler 300 | Chrysler New Yorker | Chrysler Newport |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chrysler Town & Country | Dodge B-Series | Dodge Coronet | Dodge Charger |
| Dodge Challenger | Dodge Dart | Dodge Charger Daytona | Dodge M-Series Chassis |
| Dodge Monaco | Dodge Polara | Dodge Ramcharger | Plymouth TrailDuster |
| Dodge Super Bee | Imperial | Plymouth Barracuda | Plymouth Belvedere |
| Plymouth Fury | Plymouth GTX | Plymouth Road Runner | Plymouth Superbird |
| Plymouth VIP | Jensen Interceptor | Monteverdi Safari | Cadillac Gage |
We can notice that 440 engines were mostly used by Chrysler, Dodge, and Plymouth. Some of these vehicles would be nearly impossible for you to find/own (a perfect example is Cadillac Gage, which is a military vehicle). That leaves us with a significantly shorter list.
Furthermore, not every series of Dodge Challenger used the 440 Mopar engine. Challenger only had this engine in 1970 and 1971, which is why you need to check if your car has Chrysler’s 440 big-block engine.
871 Blower For 440 Mopar
One of the most popular options for cars with 440 engines is the 671 or 871 supercharger.
First things first — 871 or 8/71 is a blower originally designed for one to twenty four-cylinder engines. The design of these blowers is based on the GMC blowers that were used on diesel applications.
We already mentioned that the last from the 440 series was designed in 1978. Some would argue that installing something modern or flashy would look out of place on a vintage car. Furthermore, the supercharger itself is a positive displacement pump, and it is based on the twin or triple rotor design.
This is just one of many examples of great superchargers you can find, and a blower will provide any where between 25 to 50% increase in horsepower, sometimes more. Naturally, it all depends on the model of supercharger you pick for your car
How to Install a Blower Kit for 440 Mopar
Once you’ve found a supercharger you like, you will need to start thinking about the installation. There are two ways you can approach the problem: you can take your car to your preferred mechanic or engine shop and leave everything to professionals, or you can install it by yourself.
Both options can be great, depending on the situation. If you are a person who likes experimenting with the car and tinkering with the engine, doing it by yourself shouldn’t be a problem. Supercharger kits arrive with all the parts needed for the installation, and the only thing you will need is appropriate tools.
However, if you don’t feel comfortable doing it on your own, there is no reason to push yourself and try to do it. Leaving your car in the capable hands of your chosen shop is simpler, and it will guarantee that nothing will go wrong during the process.
Don’t force yourself to do anything you’re not comfortable with, and think about the end results. If you are looking for an efficient way that can’t go wrong, leaving everything to professionals might be your best choice.
Mopar 440 Blower Kit Maintenance
Another important thing to discuss is maintenance. Once the supercharger is installed, it is in your best interest to take care of it. Fortunately, superchargers are designed to work for a long time, and they require minimal maintenance.
All you need to do is replace the oil in the blower (centrifugal) as often as you replace it in the engine. Keep in mind that oil in the supercharger will act both as a coolant and as a lubricant. That means that oil is essential for your tuned vehicle to work properly.
However, saying that maintenance of superchargers is easy doesn’t mean that you should neglect your blower. You need to service and replace oil in the blower regularly. Furthermore, always use the type of oil recommended by the manufacturer to avoid any problems with performance and longevity.
Can You Find Mopar 440 Roots Blower Kits?
Yes! Roots-type superchargers are among the most popular types you can find on the market. They are a version of positive displacement pumps, and each supercharger has two identical rotors pushing the air through the device.
These air compressors are a common choice for people owning vintage muscle cars since they can look so good on them. If you’ve seen some “Fast and Furious” movies, the car that Vin Diesel’s character owns is a 1970 Dodge Charger R/T. At least in theory. In fact, it is a 1969 Charger, converted to look like the 1970 model, with a fake Roots-type blower sticking out of the hood.
The popularity of Roots superchargers went through the roof, and many people want to create a similar car. As a result, you can easily find a Roots blower that can fit your 440 Mopar engine, and it will significantly improve the performance.
What Supercharger Kits Are Available for Mopar Engines
Roots-type is not the only option for superchargers you can find. For one reason or another, you might want to get something else, and fortunately, you can use any of the three types we mentioned before.
That also means that there are subcategories of superchargers you can find as well. These include twin-screw blowers, Roots-type, centrifugal, and others. Regardless of the model you pick, you will significantly improve the performance of your car, and the difference will be instantly noticeable.
Of course, the exact improvement will be based on the type you buy and the design of the blower. Furthermore, each kit comes with the necessary parts for the installation, and if there is a need to replace something, you will find it in the kit. This simplifies the entire process of installation since you won’t need to order missing parts and wait for them to arrive. You can read more about my centrifugal 440 Mopar supercharger kit review here.
Other Ways to Improve Performance
While our focus here is on superchargers, it isn’t the only way to boost the performance of your car and increase horsepower. The reason we always mention superchargers is that it is the most effective way to improve the car and it offers the biggest change in performance.
Other ways you can try will improve your vehicle, but the difference won’t be nearly as significant. That doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t try improving them, though. Replacing and upgrading parts will work incredibly well with the blower, and it will help your car reach its full potential.
Additional replacements include upgrading cold air intake, air filter, exhaust system, adding new software or computer, if and where necessary, engine/trans rebuild, etc. You could even install a Mopar 440 turbo kit. Each upgrade will allow your engine to work better, and if you decide to go for a full overhaul, the car will be unrecognizable — in a good way!
Another good Mopar 440 supercharger is the Procharger supercharger kit. More info can be found at the link above.
Of course, the biggest difference in horsepower and torque will come from superchargers, but it would be a shame if the rest of the car were not as functional as the blower.
Why Is Roots Supercharger for 440 Mopar an Excellent Idea
The 440 Mopar is great, but it has its flaws. Considering that it is a 7.2-liter engine, you’d expect a bit more power from it. But that can easily change if you decide to install a supercharger, and the difference will be more than noticeable.
So, it’s quite obvious. If you own a car with Chrysler’s RB engine, it means that you kept it for a reason. People love vintage cars, and they can be incredible if you take care of them, and installing a blower will completely transform them.
Based on the type of blower, you can get between 25% up to 75 % increase in horsepower, typically, It is the simplest way to upgrade your vehicle. The installation is simple, with minimal maintenance, and it will run great.
Roots-type blowers are rather popular for vintage cars since they fit the overall design, but more importantly, they make your car run like a scalded cat. So, the question isn’t why would you want to install a supercharger in your car, but rather why wouldn’t you!