383 or 440 which would you build?

[Cranky]

Thanks Meep, that is an interesting approach. Sounds like you have some experience with this combo. Have you used this set-up before?

It's even more common to do this with a 400 block. The larger than the 440 bore works very well with this combo and produces 451 cubes and all in a small package. I know you don't have a 400 block but a good core shouldn't cost more than 200 bucks (I got my last block for free) and you end up with a better setup and more cubes. The larger bore works better with large valves.....

 

[69redrunner]

Thanks Cranky,
I figured Meeps set-up would be like what you posted earlier.
I don't have a 400 block, I'm certain a quick search of craigslist would yeild some options.

 

[MoparMikey]

I have an orig 383 4 speed 65 Coronet and I wouldn't hesitate to install a 440 except for the fact that the engine was completly rebuilt recently, by the PO.

 

[national]

Ive seen plenty of smaller engines bust the bigger engines butt..no replacement for displacement is hilarious..why stop at 440?? the HP difference between a 440&383 are very lil..especially in a street car..383 has to rev to make the same power as 440.but like i said..why stop at 440 if the statement was really true? mopar use to make a 383 with more stroke & less bore..was it faster?? no..there was once 2 cars..one v8--other v6..both turbo,built same..same boost,etc....both ran same ET..v6 had 1 mph more..displacent didnt help there did it?..I guess 340s were junk huh? Some people kill me..hahaha

 

[67 B-body]

Hmm???

Ive seen plenty of smaller engines bust the bigger engines butt..no replacement for displacement is hilarious..why stop at 440?? the HP difference between a 440&383 are very lil..especially in a street car..383 has to rev to make the same power as 440.but like i said..why stop at 440 if the statement was really true? mopar use to make a 383 with more stroke & less bore..was it faster?? no..there was once 2 cars..one v8--other v6..both turbo,built same..same boost,etc....both ran same ET..v6 had 1 mph more..displacent didnt help there did it?..I guess 340s were junk huh? Some people kill me..hahaha

Seriously??? You would argue that cubic inches don't provide the opportunity to gain HP? Did someone say 340's were junk?? I didn't read through all the replies so I'm actualy asking,,, not being sarcastic... Did someone say that?

I guess I should put the engine from my string trimmer into my hot rod... LOL!

 

[fatecaptured]

I always wanted to do the 400 with the stroker setup. I like the B engines. But I got caught up in the hype of the RB. The way I see it, anything mopar rocks. Maybe do a 383. Keep the lower compression and throw a Pro Charger from the Super charger store. That would be awesome. http://www.thesuperchargerstore.com/products.html

 

[RustyRatRod]

I know the old cliches. I disagree with them. There IS a substitute for cubic inches. It is called RPM. Ask anyone who, back in the day had their 70 Chevelle SS454's doors blowed off by a stock 340 4 speed Dart. Talk about puttin the smack down. That's all the 383 is. A big block 340. Only .070" difference in the stroke. Yeah. That's all. But buy oh boy what a bore on the 383. Build it like you would a high RPM 340. To TWIST. That's some street fun right there. You asked...and I am answering. I have my choice of ANY big block I want for a moderate street build. I am building a stock bore and stroke 383. With mildy ported heads and good parts choices, you can have 450-500 HP real quick. What more do you need on the street?

 

[Photon440]

I know the old cliches. I disagree with them. There IS a substitute for cubic inches. It is called RPM. Ask anyone who, back in the day had their 70 Chevelle SS454's doors blowed off by a stock 340 4 speed Dart. Talk about puttin the smack down. That's all the 383 is. A big block 340. Only .070" difference in the stroke. Yeah. That's all. But buy oh boy what a bore on the 383. Build it like you would a high RPM 340. To TWIST. That's some street fun right there. You asked...and I am answering. I have my choice of ANY big block I want for a moderate street build. I am building a stock bore and stroke 383. With mildy ported heads and good parts choices, you can have 450-500 HP real quick. What more do you need on the street?

Um...more torque?

 

[67 B-body]

Um...more torque?

yaaa,,,,, the torque is a big deal for street cars,,,, hell any car!!! I doubt I would spin an engine that high driving through town looking for Rustangs...
I'm not sure if it was Cranky or Meep Meep, but one of them two dudes had referanced the little Ol' small block cars back in the day with BIG HEAVY flywheels to spin up REALY REALY HIGH for drag racing. This provided some sort of artificial torque for the little guy, and allowed the car to launch and pull for a bit untill the engine could develop some HP at a NON street practical RPM.
To the 454 340 comparison,,,, I'm a Mopar guy through and through, but I would never try to make that comparison in public were all car buffs can hear " non Mopar byass".... I can put a little stock 350 in a light car and beat the lead sled chevelle 454... Not because the brand is better in this case, but because of the obvious,,,, weight.
Chevelle 3,346 lbs base package / Dart 2,750 lbs
Also,,, Was this some "the cars were rolling and a buddy goosed his car so the other guy did too, then they both floored it for a 100 yards till one let off?" or was this at a drag strip with equal traction and competant drivers?
To many variables to put any stock in this.... Sorry!:angel11:

 

[RustyRatRod]

Um...more torque?

Well sure. My view is like this. Why waste a 451/440/484/505.etc. stroker for street duty? If you're gonna spend all that time and money on a stroker, go racing.

Most people that make your arguement haver never really seen a good powerful short stroke big block build. Not saying YOU haven't. Just most people. They aren't even aware of what one can do. 450-500 pound feet of torque in the 3500-4000 RPM range isn't impossible with a good build and smart parts choices. It's sorta like the age old 318/360 arguement. For the street, either will suffice in stock stroke trim and do a great job.

 

[Cranky]

Well sure. My view is like this. Why waste a 451/440/484/505.etc. stroker for street duty? If you're gonna spend all that time and money on a stroker, go racing.

Most people that make your arguement haver never really seen a good powerful short stroke big block build. Not saying YOU haven't. Just most people. They aren't even aware of what one can do. 450-500 pound feet of torque in the 3500-4000 RPM range isn't impossible with a good build and smart parts choices. It's sorta like the age old 318/360 arguement. For the street, either will suffice in stock stroke trim and do a great job.

I try not to build strokers for the street and even try to spend as little as possible for a drag race engine and use a stock stroke on those too. One of the things I try to do to make up for 'smaller' engines is to work on the weight of the car. As for a 318...a buddy and I played with his 72 Demon with it's stock lower end 115k miles teen and got that puppy to turn in some 13.50 ET's. Car weight is 2950 and max rpm is 6200.
I'm getting started on a stock stroke long rod 400 build for a 66 Belvedere and hopefully, I can get it going before I'm too damn old lol. Goal is to run into the 9's with it in a 2700 lb car. I got it down to 2950 with the old /6, auto with AC and 8 3/4 rear. The only thing that was fiberglass on it is the hood but a lot of the car had been 'touched' with hole punch and other tools to lighten it up. There's a lot to go but everything will be massaged on it.

 

[court9155]

welp

I remember in the 90s MEEP MEEP'S 915 iron headed 383 running so hard in his street driven 68 road runner that everyone would come up to him in the staging lanes and ask "440?" to which he would reply nope "383"......

 

[dave5237]

Hello. Looks like I am the last one to vote, but I was in your shoes when I was looking for a car. My vote is the 440. Everyone else has spoken on this issue so I cant say anything that has not all ready been said. Read all the threads and carefully pull the trigger. Good luck.

 

[oldbee]

Kinda reminds me of an old street race between my stock 383bee and a stock 68 hemi r/t.He barely got me 0-80mph..20mph punch to 80 he got me by 2 car lengths..Kinda like Usian Bolt in the 4x100 relay in the Olympics..Cubes,cubes....

 

[64Belvedere]

For me it's a bit of the different factor. Everyone around here has 440's. I like the reviness of the 340 I had. I want to build a nice working 383 just to be different. That and the 383 could have come in my car but a 440 wouldn't have.

 

[383man]

If I could do either I would go with the 440 in the B-body. Now the lighter A-body the smaller eng will run good but the 440 would still make more power. Dont get me wrong as I built a 383 Dart years ago but for my B-body I wanted the cubes and torque. I know my 3700 lb B-body likes the torque to get it moving and let me tell you my stroked 440 (493) has gobs of torque much more then the 440 had. And it sure puts a smile on my face. Ron

 

[sublimegtx]

I love my 440, run it with open exhaust almost all the time. Son was even been stopped by a statie to "check out this magnificant piece of art" and ask him to rev it up, shook his head and said "man that sounds incredible" Went to the good guys notheast show and had someone track me down in one of the building and ask me about how it is built. I tell people it's a stock 318 with an exhaust leak. lol lol. I think I have my own personal hole in the ozone.

 

[snakeoil24]

The fastest combo 440 crank, 400 block makes 451 and knife edge the weights. makes 451 square bore x stroke. This is the fastest wedge alive. The 440 gives cubes which is the cheapest for power. the 383 is actually faster.

 

[ga66mopar]

The fastest combo 440 crank, 400 block makes 451 and knife edge the weights. makes 451 square bore x stroke. This is the fastest wedge alive. The 440 gives cubes which is the cheapest for power. the 383 is actually faster.

On top of all of the above you also get extra carb & hood clearance and header clearance.

 

[Hemirunner]

I know the old cliches. I disagree with them. There IS a substitute for cubic inches. It is called RPM.

It's actually called boost.... there is truly no substitute for boost.... be it turbo or supercharger, it's THE way to go....