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

[Bad B-rad]

When I built my 66 Charger,(1967 383 engine) one of the biggest SEAT OF THE PANTS power gains was going from manifolds to headers.
So taking away the torque they add is very hard to do, for me, LOL!!!!
I will most likely loose the headers, down the road, when I can find the correct 4bbl exhaust manifolds.

I did have a bunch of header wrap left over from old projects I added. But I had to buy those spark plug heat condoms, for the plug wires/boots. So I am aware about the added heat.

In the past, when using headers, I have been able to go from a 383 to 440, with just unclamping the exhaust from the back of the collector, and rotating it to fit correct and then re clamp it. That was on a B body, with a straight duel exhaust, (no cross over pipe) that is what my 69 has now, so I may be able to get away with it again, exhaust wise.

As of right now the only thing that I know is set in stone, is that I am keeping the original color combo(paint, vinyl top and interior)
It is a PS/PB car, and that stuff works, so once I get my mind made up on engine, I will get the A/C working also.

 

[monaco66coupe]

I assume you were using the original log manifolds on the 67 383, and agree completely that those are barely adequate for a two barrel, just barely. Lol

 

[Bad B-rad]

Yeah my current 69 Charger, is missing the 4bbl/HP exhaust manifolds.
And because I have so many original parts, i would like to find date correct manifolds.
So I guess I need to find what would be correct for my car, and start the search.
But as you know most guys want a few $$ for them, so I havent been looking to hard, LOL!!
Around 2003, I scrapped SO MANY of those log manifolds.
For some reason I kept the intakes though.

 

[Roger63]

There is a reason why 383 roadrunners were feared by chevy and Ford guys. I would keep it.