Advice:69' 383 4bbl vs 72' 440 4bbl, both stock what do you pick?

[Mopars & Missiles]

The 383 is 425 torque, not 435. So the 440 has 55 ft lbs more torque.

Your Only 11% math doesn’t add up now.

So If the 383 is a torque monster, what is a 440 then? LOL

Yes Sir, you are correct on the 383 torque. I looked at the wrong number or transposed a number. Exccuuuuuuusssssssseeee Me!

However, the difference is still only 12%. Yes, the 440 has more torque, not questioning that. We ALL know that. Just pointing out that it ISN'T as much as some think, especially when comparing a '69 engine to a '72 engine as the OP stated. You seem to have lost track of that fact as well.

Some people on these boards have owned and been driving these cars for LONGER than you have been ALIVE. So maybe you aren't the only one who knows these engines and maybe you should accept that yours is just an OPINION just like everyone elses. Have a good day Sir!

 

[R413]

Yes Sir, you are correct on the 383 torque. I looked at the wrong number or transposed a number. Exccuuuuuuusssssssseeee Me!

However, the difference is still only 12%. Yes, the 440 has more torque, not questioning that. We ALL know that. Just pointing out that it ISN'T as much as some think, especially when comparing a '69 engine to a '72 engine as the OP stated. You seem to have lost track of that fact as well.

Some people on these boards have owned and been driving these cars for LONGER than you have been ALIVE. So maybe you aren't the only one who knows these engines and maybe you should accept that yours is just an OPINION just like everyone elses. Have a good day Sir!

You seem to take this personally, not my intention, don’t attack me. Man just relax and go watch some cartoons.
I Don’t need your sh!t at anytime.

 

[WileE]

I got cartoons on VHS tapes. road runner, Dick Tracy, Rocky & Bullwinkle..... You're both welcome to come over & watch with a few beers.

 

[Kern Dog]

Torque is directly related to the stroke.
The 383 has a 3.38 stroke right? The 440 has a 3.75.

 

[Bad B-rad]

Some great points/ stories here, THANKS!!!!
That is what I was looking for, peoples thought who have put miles on them.
I never took any long trips with any of my big block Mopars.
From 1997-2002 I would drive my wifes slant 6 198ci 1974 Duster(she also had a 1971, that was a 225) to and from NYC all the time, but that was her daily for years. But only local 50 mile back roads with my big block Chargers.
I hit the highway with my built 440 with 3.91's taking it to work a few times and it kinda sucked.
But when I had the 3.23 it was fine.

I am a big 383 fan, and I am sure part of my issue is this long winter, and no seat time in my Charger, along with a 440 "burning a hole in my pocket" LOL!!!
Too much thinking not enough driving!!!

I respect the fact that I scored a #'s matching car, and so much so, that I do not want to change anything, the cam, or carb, nothing! If it didn't have headers on it, I wouldn't have added them.
I have been looking for correct 4 bbl manifolds, but its hard to ditch the HP and torque of headers. It will make starter changes a lot easier!!!

Part of it is also is that HOT RODDER in all of us, loving to tinker and to be king of the street, but also wanting to keep it looking stock
LOL!!!!!

 

[Nate S]

490-425/425 = 15.3%, a 440 has 15.3% more torque than a 383
490-425/490 = 13.3%, a 383 has 13.3% less torque than a 440

 

[barbee6043]

I personally love hp 383 's and IF AT go 3:23 in a heaiver car lke a B body, and 3:55 with a 4 speed. Stock 72 440 will be down on compression some over that 69 383. Nothng wrong with that 440 but I bet it can suck more gas.

 

[monaco66coupe]

Some great points/ stories here, THANKS!!!!
That is what I was looking for, peoples thought who have put miles on them.
I never took any long trips with any of my big block Mopars.
From 1997-2002 I would drive my wifes slant 6 198ci 1974 Duster(she also had a 1971, that was a 225) to and from NYC all the time, but that was her daily for years. But only local 50 mile back roads with my big block Chargers.
I hit the highway with my built 440 with 3.91's taking it to work a few times and it kinda sucked.
But when I had the 3.23 it was fine.

I am a big 383 fan, and I am sure part of my issue is this long winter, and no seat time in my Charger, along with a 440 "burning a hole in my pocket" LOL!!!
Too much thinking not enough driving!!!

I respect the fact that I scored a #'s matching car, and so much so, that I do not want to change anything, the cam, or carb, nothing! If it didn't have headers on it, I wouldn't have added them.
I have been looking for correct 4 bbl manifolds, but its hard to ditch the HP and torque of headers. It will make starter changes a lot easier!!!

Part of it is also is that HOT RODDER in all of us, loving to tinker and to be king of the street, but also wanting to keep it looking stock
LOL!!!!!

what year do you have?

 

[WileE]

490-425/425 = 15.3%, a 440 has 15.3% more torque than a 383
490-425/490 = 13.3%, a 383 has 13.3% less torque than a 440

and, even more importantly, e=mc2

 

[davek]

 

[monaco66coupe]

don"t forget 383 cars drive nicer.less weight,,,Lol

 

[1967coronet]

Both engines will be fine for what you intend to do.
Both will spin the tires and run 100.
The mpg crap is just that,
As long as you do not go deeper than the 3.23s it will cruise fine. Just use the engine that is in the best condition.
Have a fun summer.

 

[BLK 68 R/T]

My 70 super bee with an original 383 ran circles around my brothers 68 coronet with a rebuilt low compression 440, which is what a 72 motor would be. If the 383 you have is stock pistons and steel shim head gaskets I would expect it to do the same thing.

 

[Darter6]

Both engines will be fine for what you intend to do.

Yep.

 

[barbee6043]

I will take a good compression 383 any day with right gears. Gears are one giant key to power and fun on the road (we don't have streets here just roads).

 

[dvw]

For a trip; That short of a tire I'd run the 2.76, 440, with a Summit cam . Maybe a 268H cam. At home I'd leave the 3.23 unless you live where everything is 55 and faster. We took a trip in my wife's 360 Challenger. 9.0-1 compression 4 speed 2.76 for the trip.yes th ed 1st 100ft were doggy. But other than that it was fine.
Doug

 

[MoparDanMan]

I have had a few 383's and a couple of 440's in my past, so I have my own ideas of what I can realistically expect from each engine, in the stock, to mildly modified state.
I also love to learn, and have no issue taking advice from people who have more experience then me.
In the past every 383, or 440 I had, I was interstead in going as fast as I could, as quick as I could, and I RARELY did any highway driving.
Even going to the drag strip, 1.5 hrs on the highway, I would trailer my car.
Driving around my home town on back roads the 30 miles to work was no big deal, but long highway driving, the rpms were high, and the dash was like watching trees fall, gas fell to left, as MPH, engine temp and rpm fell to the right.
Now I am older, and my goals have changed a bit.
Although I did yard drive my car last year, this will be the first year, I really get to enjoy driving my Charger.
And my goal is to take the car to Carlisle (3.5 hrs one way, and the Nats 8hrs one way)
Having this goal in mine, I will be keeping the factory 3.23 gears.

So the only mods from stock I currently have on the #'s 1969 383 4bbl, is the Mopar performance aluminum intake manifold, the copy of the cast iron one, with the fel pro valley tin with the crossover blocked, a set of 70's headers the car came with and a mopar mini starter.
By the time Carlisle comes, I think I will have switched to a factory style electronic ignition, with the orange box hidden.
I also have a vintage 70's direct connection aluminum water pump housing, that I will toss on with a new water pump.

But I have toyed with the idea of installing the 1972 440 I have, and MAYBE, going to 2.94, or even 2.76.

My thoughts are the 69 383 and the 72 440 as they are, will probably preform very similar, 0-60 and 1/4 mile, and again the times are what they are, I am not ready to be building an engine this year.
I will have to use what I have, and what I can modify cheaply.
But the 440's extra torque MAY allow me to run the 2.94 gears,(or 2.76) and make long highway trips a bit nicer.

Keeping in mind that the headers, water pump, and starter will swap right from the 383 to the 440, and that I have an electronic distributer for the 440.

Anyone have any advice or good tips on this subject for me?

With that kind of gearing, I'd go with the 440.

 

[Bad B-rad]

what year do you have?

Car is 1969
383 is the original(1969) 383 4bbl (330HP) I think claimed CR is 10 to 1
440 is 1972 steel crank 280HP claimed CR is 8.2 to 1
Also gross vs net HP ratting.

The 383 has stock pistons, and steel shim Mopar head gaskets, but due to stuck valves when I got the car, the 906's were pulled and a reman set of (1971) 346's were installed with the new Mopar gaskets.
They (the 346's) are claimed to be the same as 906's except "FLATTER" intake ports for use with unleaded(lower octane fuel), for what that's worth.

 

[69sunfireGTX]

I make the drive to Carlisle every year (the past 3) with my 1969 GTX from Morristown NJ. Approx. 3-3.5 hours depending on the speed I maintain and how bad the traffic is. It has the 3.23 gears like you. I have a pretty much stock (1973) 400 in there now while my 440 is out to be rebuilt and the drive to Carlisle is smooth as silk running anywhere from 75-80mph the whole way. I have 275/60R15's on the back so that does help keep the rpm's down also.

 

[monaco66coupe]

Car is 1969
383 is the original(1969) 383 4bbl (330HP) I think claimed CR is 10 to 1
440 is 1972 steel crank 280HP claimed CR is 8.2 to 1
Also gross vs net HP ratting.

The 383 has stock pistons, and steel shim Mopar head gaskets, but due to stuck valves when I got the car, the 906's were pulled and a reman set of (1971) 346's were installed with the new Mopar gaskets.
They (the 346's) are claimed to be the same as 906's except "FLATTER" intake ports for use with unleaded(lower octane fuel), for what that's worth.

In my experience the 69 383 hp will give you aggressive throttle response and good performance as compared to the 8:2 440. My 71 was 9.2, and could pull the new Yorker and the 68 charger behind on a tow bar cross country without batting an eye.Mountains or flat terrain. By itself the car was a easy going torque producer, but not a high revving powerhouse.
so which do you prefer to have in your Charger?
now if that was a 10:0 67-69 440, the situation would be much different.Many more options.
I would however no matter the consequences remove the headers. I dislike them, so that is just my opinion. I don't care how much power is reduced. That 383 does very well on HP manifolds,and maintenance issues as well as reduced heat under the hood is well worth it if you drive the car a lot.
don't forget that if you go to the 440, then there will be an added expense with the exhaust, as the 440 is taller and wider.