383 vs 440

[hawkeye]

I have been thinking about my next charger project and needed your input for the motor.   It is not a matching numbers car and I  already have  two 318  engines.    Should I rebuild one of them or go BB?  If I go BB, Which should I get?  This isn't going to be a race car, just what I would call a luxury touring car.  Seems like a lot more 440's available than anything else.   Maybe some of you have owned all 3 motors and I could pick your brain.  thanks

[Ghoste]

It costs the same to rebuild each one and there is no substitute for cubic inches.   440 all the way.

[c00nhunterjoe]

There is no replacement for displacement, IF you have the heads to support it..... I vote 383.

[ACUDANUT]

It costs the same to rebuild each one and there is no substitute for cubic inches.   440 all the way.

True, but a 383 is still a great engine. I love the higher rpm's these things put out. 

[Ghoste]

True, but I love the higher torque the 440 puts out. 

[Charger-Bodie]

True, but I love the higher torque the 440 puts out. 

and with a stroker crank you can have it all. My vote is for a stroked 440.

[firefighter3931]

True, but I love the higher torque the 440 puts out. 

and with a stroker crank you can have it all. My vote is for a stroked 440.

That's the truth 


Ron

[Musicman]

This isn't going to be a race car, just what I would call a luxury touring car.

That said, and all things being equal, you will get better gas mileage from a 383 than you will a 440. Torque?... All Mopar big blocks come with more than enough torque for a cruiser. 

[ACUDANUT]

True, but I love the higher torque the 440 puts out. 

and with a stroker crank you can have it all. My vote is for a stroked 440.

Just add 3k or more to your engine build doing this.

[Charger-Bodie]

True, but I love the higher torque the 440 puts out. 

and with a stroker crank you can have it all. My vote is for a stroked 440.

Just add 3k or more to your engine build doing this.

Not nessesarily. You can get a muscle motors shortblock for 4k. Stroker shortblock ready for heads and intake.

[1974dodgecharger]

It costs the same to rebuild each one and there is no substitute for cubic inches.   440 all the way.

unless you have a 426, of course (I can only wish) 

[cudaken]

 A well built stock 383 will but a smile on your faces   A well built stock 440 will make your wife pee her pants!  

383 is a great engine, but I would pick the 440. If both engines are stock and pushed a little to hard, the 440 will go boom quicker.

Cuda Ken

[Cooter]

I've heard ALL the 'War' stories bout a 440 'Won't wind as quick, or as far as a 383' and the 440 will 'Go boom quicker' etc.etc.etc....

Not always true. I have had 440's that have been on the other side of 7000 RPM more than once, never hadda problem. A 383 BB Chrysler has less crank/stroke than a 350 Chebby. Torque rules in a street car.