cost of 440 rebuild

[Dreamcar]

I recently received a quote for having my 383 rebuilt for my 69 charger. I told the builder that my goal was 383 to 400 hp (at the crank). Nothing fancy, just a nice driver. I already have a completely dissasembled 68 block with crank, so I figured I'd save some money there. Basically, I was looking at least 7k for parts and labour.

I starting to think that finding a stock 440 and having a rebuild done (which should put me to 375hp) would be the easiest way to go. For all of you that have had a 440 rebuilt to almost stock, how much has that cost you? I'm only looking for ball-park figures.   

[cudaken]

Dream Car, cost of building a 440 is about the same as a 383. Far as a stock HP 440 putting out 375 HP, closer to 330 to 350 hp. Ma Mopar took a few liberty's with the ratings. A blueprinted build would be rear close too the 375 mark.

Far as $7000.00 to rebuild a none race motor? Seems awful high to me. I would say around $2500 on the low side to $3500 on the high. Depending on what you where going to buy and had done.

Cuda Ken   

[Dreamcar]

Dream Car, cost of building a 440 is about the same as a 383. Far as a stock HP 440 putting out 375 HP, closer to 330 to 350 hp. Ma Mopar took a few liberty's with the ratings. A blueprinted build would be rear close too the 375 mark.

Far as $7000.00 to rebuild a none race motor? Seems awful high to me. I would say around $2500 on the low side to $3500 on the high. Depending on what you where going to buy and had done.

Cuda Ken    

7K included the parts for getting around 400hp from the 383 (new heads, intake, etc). This is why I'm thinking that perhaps getting a stock 440 rebuild willl get me closer to the 400hp without needing to buy fancy parts. Although, the stock 440 would not have 400hp, it would still give me the power that a 69 RT had.

I dunno...

[72Charger-SE]

Purchase of '67 440 Block = $600
KB Pistons = $450
Steel Crank turned and polished = $395
67 - 440 Block prepped, hot tanked and bored .030 = $495
Heads completely rebuilt = $580
Comp Cam Kit = $495
(Unsure on the Connecting Rods)?  I may purchase new - having my factory ones mic'd at this time to check for weak points, cracks or other damages.

This is what I have in mine.

So...  I would say $2500 would be doable if you already have the block.

I plan to build the motor with assistance from a seasoned Mopar Man (Father-in-Law) thus learning and saving labor $.

[cudaken]

Dream Car, why 400 hp But that is the magic number a lot of people pull out of the air. 

What are the goals for the Car?

Worked heads would get either engine to the 400 range. 383 will have to be turning a few more RPM's to do it.

If new heads are in the budget, they are the way to go. But, it can still be done with the old iron ones. We did it for decades! 

Cuda Ken 

[Dreamcar]

Dream Car, why 400 hp But that is the magic number a lot of people pull out of the air.  

What are the goals for the Car?

Worked heads would get either engine to the 400 range. 383 will have to be turning a few more RPM's to do it.

If new heads are in the budget, they are the way to go. But, it can still be done with the old iron ones. We did it for decades!  

Cuda Ken  

I figure 375-400hp is perfect for the car and easily attainable. Since 375 was available from the factory (in theory) and made the car fairly quick, having a least that is my goal. The car will be just a weekend cruiser, but in my mind I like knowing there's power to spare even though its not the fastest car around. Besides, the 69 Charger is my favorite muscle car of all time, so I'm going for a respectable amount of "muscle" (i.e. 375-400hp) for a car that size

But, that's just my way of seing things and I completely respect what others want out of their cars.  

[Dino]

I had a stock 383 in my 68 with cheapo headers and it had plenty power.  My 69 has a 440 with granny 2.96 gears and still has plenty power.  I drive mine quite a bit as well.  As for the numbers, my '71 440 HP supposedly has 370 gross hp.  I would love to see the real numbers.  I wonder if they're even close. 

These engines have loads of torque which makes them a lot of fun to drive, but don't be surprised when some ricer leaves you behind.  When you floor the car it should make lots of noise and lots of tire spin.  That usually shuts the rest of them up but in a true race, I doubt I would go up against anything modern with 6 cylinders or more.

[Cooter]

I'd be terribly upset if all I got for $7k is 400 hp....I'm thinking more like a cheap stroker 528 wedge or somthin for $7k and be puttin down numbers in the 600 hp range...

[moparguy01]

i agree. 400 HP is pretty easy to get out of a 440 without spending alot. If you had more than 4k into a 400 HP 440 build I'd be surprised. Why not call up a few machine shops and see what they would charge you to build the whole setup.

Honestly that 383 wouldn't be a bad build either. Get a 440 source stroker kit and make it a 431? or something like that, with decent compression, get the heads redone nicely and a good cam you should be there pretty easy too. Even after getting a machine shop to double check the kit and assemble it.

[myk]

I had a stock 383 in my 68 with cheapo headers and it had plenty power.  My 69 has a 440 with granny 2.96 gears and still has plenty power.  I drive mine quite a bit as well.  As for the numbers, my '71 440 HP supposedly has 370 gross hp.  I would love to see the real numbers.  I wonder if they're even close.  

These engines have loads of torque which makes them a lot of fun to drive, but don't be surprised when some ricer leaves you behind.  When you floor the car it should make lots of noise and lots of tire spin.  That usually shuts the rest of them up but in a true race, I doubt I would go up against anything modern with 6 cylinders or more.

Ain't that the truth.  Camry's for example are solid 14-15 second cars these days; easily a match for a stock'ish 440 like mine.

'OP if $7K is your budget then you'll have a healthy 440 on your hands.  I don't know where you live, but in 'Cali $7K would guarantee you a good rebuild with quality parts and probably aftermarket heads; that 400 mark shouldn't be a problem...

[Dreamcar]

I had a stock 383 in my 68 with cheapo headers and it had plenty power.  My 69 has a 440 with granny 2.96 gears and still has plenty power.  I drive mine quite a bit as well.  As for the numbers, my '71 440 HP supposedly has 370 gross hp.  I would love to see the real numbers.  I wonder if they're even close.  

These engines have loads of torque which makes them a lot of fun to drive, but don't be surprised when some ricer leaves you behind.  When you floor the car it should make lots of noise and lots of tire spin.  That usually shuts the rest of them up but in a true race, I doubt I would go up against anything modern with 6 cylinders or more.

Ain't that the truth.  Camry's for example are solid 14-15 second cars these days; easily a match for a stock'ish 440 like mine.

'OP if $7K is your budget then you'll have a healthy 440 on your hands.  I don't know where you live, but in 'Cali $7K would guarantee you a good rebuild with quality parts and probably aftermarket heads; that 400 mark shouldn't be a problem...

I'm in Ottawa Ontario Canada, and finding multiple engine shops to call and get quotes is proving difficult 

[charger_fan_4ever]

I'm in Ottawa Ontario Canada, and finding multiple engine shops to call and get quotes is proving difficult 

Location explains it. Everything is double up here.

[firefighter3931]

I'm in Ottawa Ontario Canada, and finding multiple engine shops to call and get quotes is proving difficult 

I'm in the Ottawa Area and know of an excellent shop not too far away. 

They build some nice stuff and have a dyno on hand for break-in and tuning. 



Ron

[6spd68]

If you were in Toronto, you'd probably have an easier time.  Mind you, Quebec has quite the MOPAR scene as well.  I'd say shop around before you commit your hard earned cash.

Canada costs, your build will probably end up in the 4500$-5000$ range.  Gotta love those duty fees and costs everywhere... 

My 410 Stroker is probably going to run in the 6-8k range.  But, 600+HP...

[Dreamcar]

I'm in Ottawa Ontario Canada, and finding multiple engine shops to call and get quotes is proving difficult 

I'm in the Ottawa Area and know of an excellent shop not too far away. 

They build some nice stuff and have a dyno on hand for break-in and tuning. 



Ron

I've sent you a pm. I may need your help!

[2Luke2]

I would recommend Ron if he's near you. He knows a lot and is a very friendly person to deal with.  He won't do you wrong. 

[cudaken]

Dream Car, here is a toy for you to play with.

http://robrobinette.com/et.htm

But remember the et's they post is for a car that has been set up for racing and you need more than HP to win! But still fun to play with.

What motor did the Charger come with? If the 383 was the original numbers matching engine and you don't plan on beating it to death, I be temped to build it.  I pulled my number matching block from my 68 Road Runner 38 years ago. I was planing on beating the replacement 426 with into a fraction of a inch from it's life.    Never blew up a Mopar, knock on wood. 

I am all so a believer in the saying "There no replacement for displacement".  If $4000 in a 383 = 400 HP, a 440 will make 459 HP give or take.

If Ron takes you under his wings, you are in great hands!

Cuda Ken

[Dreamcar]

Dream Car, here is a toy for you to play with.

http://robrobinette.com/et.htm

But remember the et's they post is for a car that has been set up for racing and you need more than HP to win! But still fun to play with.

What motor did the Charger come with? If the 383 was the original numbers matching engine and you don't plan on beating it to death, I be temped to build it.  I pulled my number matching block from my 68 Road Runner 38 years ago. I was planing on beating the replacement 426 with into a fraction of a inch from it's life.    Never blew up a Mopar, knock on wood. 

I am all so a believer in the saying "There no replacement for displacement".  If $4000 in a 383 = 400 HP, a 440 will make 459 HP give or take.

If Ron takes you under his wings, you are in great hands!

Cuda Ken

Thanks Cuda Ken. The car did come with a 383 as per the fender tag, but not the block I have (the block is burried in my garage, so I will double check to make sure). So, I guess it doesn't matter. For whatever reason, I'd prefer to have a 383 because the car came with one, but not if it costs me twice as much just to use it.

[1974dodgecharger]

mine came with a 383 and I rebuilt with a 383, but in hindsight not caring for a numbers matching car I should of built my 440 block up.

Dream Car, here is a toy for you to play with.

http://robrobinette.com/et.htm

But remember the et's they post is for a car that has been set up for racing and you need more than HP to win! But still fun to play with.

What motor did the Charger come with? If the 383 was the original numbers matching engine and you don't plan on beating it to death, I be temped to build it.  I pulled my number matching block from my 68 Road Runner 38 years ago. I was planing on beating the replacement 426 with into a fraction of a inch from it's life.    Never blew up a Mopar, knock on wood. 

I am all so a believer in the saying "There no replacement for displacement".  If $4000 in a 383 = 400 HP, a 440 will make 459 HP give or take.

If Ron takes you under his wings, you are in great hands!

Cuda Ken

Thanks Cuda Ken. The car did come with a 383 as per the fender tag, but not the block I have (the block is burried in my garage, so I will double check to make sure). So, I guess it doesn't matter. For whatever reason, I'd prefer to have a 383 because the car came with one, but not if it costs me twice as much just to use it.

[heyoldguy]

I don't know. I think I would check the PERFORMANCE CORNER before I got carried away. 379 HP @ 4300 RPM and 449 HP @ 5300 RPM on 7.85:1 compression.

[Challenger340]

Labor Prices vary according to "what" gets done in Machining an Engine, and the Parts used.

Myself, and others here.... could put up a Machining Operations List of what "should" be done, to do things "properly" the way they were 30-40 years ago...
and compare it to....IMO
what "Budgets" can afford NOWADAYS, which reads more like a "dis-assemble"...."Targeted Repair"...then "Re-Assemble" JOKE ! and still expecting the same final results.

[69wannabe]

I built the 383 that was in my charger when I bought it and it ran good but I traded a guy out of a 440 block and built it pretty much the same way but went with bigger valves in the heads and went with a edelbrock RPM intake and it was way more impressive to me!! Not putting down a good 383 but the torque of a good built 440 is awesome and I drove it everywhere. It had great driveability and power and I think I had around 3000 in the engine but I did all the labor myself. I am sure I was pushing around 450hp out of the engine which isn't a slouch at all but you still wont be the fastest thing on the road either.