Which block for a stroker? A 383 or a 440?

[Nitrofish1]

Got a few options here, going to be building a 440 bone stock to get all my drivetrain broken in, but id like to swap to a stroker after that.

My options would either be to stroke a 383 or a 440, from the kits ive surfed online, ive seen up to 525 thats doable for the 440 without going too crazy, but the 383 can go up to 496 for what id consider the sleeper motor. Mopar Muscle chose the 383 and did a stroker build to the mid 400's and squeezed 650hp out of it until they had oiling issues and cracked the block.

Other than that, would it just be personal preference at that point?

 

[Beekeeper]

For the B series engine the 400 would be a good choice

 

[tallhair]

Since you are already thinking abou tit I'd think about a 400 or 383 if you already have that to keep it lighter and have slightly more room for spark plug or manifold / header clearance. I imagine you'll also go with aluminum heads and intake which will be more weight off the front end, move the batt to the trunk and hang a aluminum water pump off the front and you're competing with stock all iron A engines for weight distribution over the front end

Budnicks can tell you a lot about this by the way. Hopefully he's see it and pipe in

 

[Nitrofish1]

For the B series engine the 400 would be a good choice

Since you are already thinking abou tit I'd think about a 400 or 383 if you already have that to keep it lighter and have slightly more room for spark plug or manifold / header clearance. I imagine you'll also go with aluminum heads and intake which will be more weight off the front end, move the batt to the trunk and hang a aluminum water pump off the front and you're competing with stock all iron A engines for weight distribution over the front end

Budnicks can tell you a lot about this by the way. Hopefully he's see it and pipe in

I can get a 383, 400, 413, or 440 for it, but the 400 was never an option in the 68 coronet

 

[Mopars & Missiles]

For the B series engine the 400 would be a good choice

I agree with the 400 block, much beefier main journals and a larger stock bore size than either the 383 or 440. This means a stronger bottom end and less valve shrouding for better breathing ability.

 

[Redhorse719]

If your choice is 383 or 440 only, go 440. I don't understand why you don't build the stroker from the git-go? Money tied up in two engines, unless you have two cars.

 

[Mopars & Missiles]

I can get a 383, 400, 413, or 440 for it, but the 400 was never an option in the 68 coronet

The 400 looks identical to the 383 from the exterior. So to most, it will still appear to be a 383. You would have to look at the casting numbers to tell that it was a 400 and not a 383.

 

[tallhair]

I can get a 383, 400, 413, or 440 for it, but the 400 was never an option in the 68 coronet

Neither were 440's unless you have an R/T or strokers in anything

 

[Nitrofish1]

The 400 looks identical to the 383 from the exterior. So to most, it will still appear to be a 383. You would have to look at the casting numbers to tell that it was a 400 and not a 383.

I also see i can get the big inch kits for the 400 as well right up there with the 440.

Honestly I was just going to rebuild the 440 as practice for building the stroker, you spend that much on a motor you want to get it right, and the fact that i just love to do engine builds in the first place...

 

[Mopars & Missiles]

I also see i can get the big inch kits for the 400 as well right up there with the 440....

Yes you can, I recently built a 400/499 and could have gone bigger had I wanted to. Like I said before, the 400 has a LARGER stock bore than a stock 440, so an equal stroke crank in each one will result in more CID in the 400 than the 440.

 

[747mopar]

Agree "400" just built a 456" using mostly factory parts and have about $4,500 in it and expect 500-550hp. I would think the 440 would have more room for a bigger crank but the 400 has the bore advantage. For me it was the best bang for the buck since I already had a forged 440 crank, rods and a 400 block. I agree, I would build it now and save your money.

 

[am3rican]

There's a good book I am reading now called "How to Build Max-Performance Big Blocks Mopar". It details the same fundamental debate you are having. The author makes the argument, like many people on this thread already have, that the 400 is best choice. Here's a link to the book: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1613250924/ref=oh_details_o01_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

A lot of people have taken the 400 block and made it a 451 stroker. Here's a video of one in what I believe to be Scandinavia

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kEmICmb9o3Q&feature=youtu.be

 

[68 HEMI GTS]

i personally prefer the 400 for all the reasons already mentioned, big bore in a compact block with the smaller main size. if not the 400 than a 440 block is my next choice. just can't get into the small bore on a 383 if im spending big money.

the closer one is the 400 in the car below, the far one is a 440/493 i built for my dads RR.

this is a 400/499 i built. its pretty mild really. flat tops, mild bullet roller i spec'd out. been 10.0s @ 136 with the wrong converter. should run some high 9's when he gets the converter straight. and it drives around on the street like its a warmed over 440.
http://youtu.be/buCVoeyv1TI

 

[Nitrofish1]

i actually have that book, but i have yet to delve into the little details of it, so far i just skimmed through it as i havent reached the engine build specifics yet. but i suppose as with the 440, you could build up the 400 to something wild. ill have to take a deeper look into that book then.

 

[rrTor-Red]

Check out MRL post on here about an engine he jusf did for me "Ground pounder street" IMOP, my stroked 400 is the way to go.

 

[robinsonwr]

Nitrofish1,
I prefer the 440 but I am biased because my build is a 440/512 for my 66 Satellite. I used the 4.25 stroke with 7.1 rods on my pump gas monster. I was hoping to have some numbers but sidetracked on other projects, my 14 year olds 1978 W72 WS6 Trans Am. I am hoping to make a solid 575HP and somewhere over 625TQ. I do not think that is asking to much.

 

[super-bee_ski]

I can get a 383, 400, 413, or 440 for it, but the 400 was never an option in the 68 coronet

Tell everyone its a 383
Tell them, "it's stock".....tee hee hee!

- - - Updated - - -

i personally prefer the 400 for all the reasons already mentioned, big bore in a compact block with the smaller main size. If not the 400 than a 440 block is my next choice. Just can't get into the small bore on a 383 if im spending big money.

The closer one is the 400 in the car below, the far one is a 440/493 i built for my dads rr.

this is a 400/499 i built. Its pretty mild really. Flat tops, mild bullet roller i spec'd out. Been 10.0s @ 136 with the wrong converter. Should run some high 9's when he gets the converter straight. And it drives around on the street like its a warmed over 440.
http://youtu.be/bucvoeyv1ti

NOW THATS WHAT IM TALKING ABOUT

 

[snakeoil24]

The only motor that used to give me a run for the Money was a 400 block and 440 crank. cut down made 451. This combination makes unreal power. I raced 2 guys 1 with a Buick GS the other wioth a 451 in a Dodge Dart it took nearly the end of the run way to pass the 451. I can tell you if I had no hemi stuff that would be a really good choice. The 400 block is a monster, almost a secret weapon!

 

[Mopars & Missiles]

Tell everyone its a 383
Tell them, "it's stock".....tee hee hee!

That's exactly what I'm going to do with mine! :eusa_silenced: I wonder how long I can get away with it though? :eusa_whistle:

 

[Nitrofish1]

Tell everyone its a 383
Tell them, "it's stock".....tee hee hee!

- - - Updated - - -





NOW THATS WHAT IM TALKING ABOUT

I like that idea lol, looks also like Muscle Motors has some killer combo's for sale, block with stroker kit installed, practically ready to for top end to get installed and go in the car for a reasonable price. Otherwise I can get the block for cheaper and do the work myself... any size you want too.

too many options :confused2: