Modern Hemi or...

[SRT-440]

I'm on the fence on what I want to do with my 383...I thought about just selling the car and moving on to another project, but now I'm thinking maybe just finish what I started. 
Here's the deal...the 383 I have now runs rough and has 12.5:1 TRW pistons, milled 906's heads, holley 750 DP, 727, Torker II intake, big lopey Comp Cam (can't remember which it is at the moment)...anyways, it's hard to tune, runs on race gas, and just is unpleasant to drive...it is fast tho...but that's useless if it will barely go stop light to stop light without stalling.

Thinking about pulling all of it and having Street and Performance install a crate 392 Hemi with a small block 727 and that should fix all my issues but that will run me..a lot of money.
Other option is to build a 440...but to run the way I want it to run it needs aluminum heads and EFI...so it would prolly be a $7K+ motor too.
Cheapest option would be to keep the 383 and replace the top end with Eddy heads and EFI and a thick head gasket to try and lower CR a bit. I've read that the Eddy heads won't work with domed pistons...is this true? Seems like if milled 906 heads worked then Aluminum heads would also.

I'm looking for something that makes good power and is streetable and dependable...the 392 is a gauranteed 400rwhp and decent MPG...but it will be atleast an arm and a leg. 

Fyi I have no clue what my over all compression ratio currently is...it's high enough to need race gas so, prolly 11.5:1+

[Troy]

It shouldn't be terribly hard to pick up a good running or newly rebuilt 383 or 440 for a decent price. A new Hemi is cool and all but you're throwing money into a hole. However... it sounds like you're determined to spend a pile of cash. If you're going to build a max-effort EFI 440 then the Hemi may seem reasonable (although I'm thinking that having S&P install a new Hemi will be north of $10-12k). You could easily call Muscle Motors and buy one of their 440s off the shelf and plop a FAST system on it. Your cheapest route would be to pick up a decent running 383 (for almost nothing) and slap on a set of aluminum heads(or not). That gets you up and running ASAP while you try to figure out how to empty your wallet. I'd rather have a running car than one sitting there waiting on me to make a decision or figure out how to pay for what I want.

Troy

[Mopar Nut]

I would go big like a ray barton 572 hemi.

[SRT-440]

Talked to Muscle Motors...their 505/440, FAST EFI, Aluminum heads, with dyno tune would be around 13K. Would make around 415 rwhp.
A new 392 costs about the same and puts down the same. So no matter what it will cost a lot to get the results I'm wanting.
Gonna talk to Street and Performance tomorrow.

[Troy]

Here you go!
http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,112227.0.html

I was thinking more along the line of one of their basic crates...

I don't have $13K into most of my cars - let alone just an engine. I bought a "slightly used" (about 1,200 miles and a few passes at the drag strip) pump gas 440 with a proven build for $2,200. Should be good for right around 500 hp at the crank according to the time slips. I threw on a used Air Gap intake and Holley 750 so I've got less than $2,800 in it all together. I drive on highways and back roads so even this is overkill for what I need. The 440 Six Pack motor in my Challenger is barely warmed over from stock and I can't keep it going straight most of the time. I sold a fresh 440 here on the board with forged pistons, Edelbrock heads, and an Engle cam for about $4,500. Probably more than what anyone needs for the street. I think most people go way overboard with their engines.

I love EFI. However, if I was tired of my car and needed a boost to my spirits I'd pop something in there that "works" for the rest of the summer and drive the wheels off it.

Troy