440 or 383 Which do I choose?

[RoscoePColtrain]

Can anyone suggest any decent modifications to push the 383 to about approximately 450 horsepower?

Although I was always leaning toward the 440 anyways, I just wanted to weigh my options.  What are stock MPG's for the 440 and 383?  What should I expect with a .030 over engine?

[69charger2002]

stock MPG's in my experience are 9-10 in a 440, 11-12 in a 383. .030 means basically nothing as far as performance it's the internals that matter. .030 just means the cylinder walls were punched out and cleaned up for a safe stock rebuild.. if you want 450 horses out of a 383, it's not worth the trouble(compared to a 440) and your question about stock MPG goes out the window anyway. which is what the last 25 posts were about and giving advice on. just get a mildly built 440, be done with it, and expect 9 mpg if you don't act stupid in it..otherwise 5-7 is not out of the question
trav

[warriorbass05]

I will soon be purchasing a GL from ScotLea Idols, but I can't seem to decide between the 440 or 383.  The price difference is not a problem, but fuel consumption is. 
I know that parts for the 440 are harder to get than for the 383 if I required later on down the road.  I hear a 383 is easier to build up as well.  Are there any advantages/disadvantages to either?

If I were to opt for the 383, can anyone suggest a decent performance build that would give me 400+ horsepower?

Thank you

440 is what kept Rosco behind the GENERAL!!!

[Paul G]

just get a mildly built 440, be done with it, and expect 9 mpg if you don't act stupid in it..otherwise 5-7 is not out of the question
trav

  You will get more bang for the fuel usage buck with the 440. I cant get more than 9 MPG with mine. But, It's a 440. The big cahuna! The extra 1 or 2 mpg i am loosing is worth it.

BTW I have a real hard time keeping my foot out of it. 

[timmy]

440 hands down no question asked

[gojo64]

I've heard this so many times. Why would anybody that wants good gas milage even consider a big block?      

There's no replacement for displacement     440 all the way

[PocketThunder]

I've heard this so many times. Why would anybody that wants good gas milage even consider a big block?      

There's no replacement for displacement     440 all the way

Thats why i have a 440 in my 68 and soon to have a /6 in my 69.  One for the muscle and one for the mileage..

[aone415]

Another vote for the 440... I just tore oursdown 

[RoscoePColtrain]

Well, I'm not looking for anything in the 20's, because I know that is crazy, and besides, I have a Honda for that.  I didn't want anything ridiculously low like 5 MPG coz you'd never get anywhere without having to fill up again.  I will be using the car daily during the summer months up here in Canada, but didn't want to be constantly worrying about the gas level.
I was thinking in the 12-15 MPG for the 383 and around 7-10 for the 440.

How much difference in performance would putting a performance cylinder head make power wise?

[Troy]

In theory, an well-tuned engine will be more efficient so if you spend the time to match the correct parts then you should be able to get more power and possibly better mileage than stock with either engine. You can add an overdrive unit and/or use conservative rear gears to improve mileage as well. My Barracuda got 23 mpg last year on the trip home from Monster Mopar but it's a 318 car with 2.76 or 2.94 gears (meaning burnouts are not its strong point!). If you're really serious you can install fuel injection along with the above suggestions but now you've got $4-6k in "improvements" to save maybe 5-10 mpg. Which brings me to the next point - heads can easily cost $1500+ (US) so, even though you may gain 50 hp you've spent the equivalent of 500 gallons of gas. That's easily an entire summer of driving for most people even at 10 mpg. You are asking for benefits that are near polar opposites so you're going to have to compromise until you find something you can live with.

In reality, you can pick up a good, used 383 for $200-300 and, even if it gets 10 mpg gallon you'll get around 14,300 miles of driving before you spend the equivalent of a mildly built big block (roughly $4,500 based on my experience). You might even be able to find a running 440 from a C-body for that price depending on where you live. Upgrading to a stock Mopar electronic ignition is cheap and should improve mileage and reliability. Open rear differentials with highway gears (2.76, 2,94, or possibly 3.23) are always cheaper than drag gears (4.10+) with a sure grip so you can save another $500-600 there (200 gallons/2,000 miles). If you aren't building high horsepower then a relatively stock rebuild on the transmission and a good converter can save you about the same. So now you've got factory reliability and about 18,000 miles worth of gas money. Better yet, take $1,000 that you've saved to upgrade your brakes so you can stop/avoid the other people on the road before smashing your classic. You can add heads, cam, intake, carb, headers, and steeper gears at any point if you feel the need to spin tires and waste gas.

Troy

[Mean 318]

You can add heads, cam, intake, carb, headers, and steeper gears at any point if you feel the need to spin tires and waste gas.

Troy

Its not a waste if it brings a smile to your face!

[Troy]

You can add heads, cam, intake, carb, headers, and steeper gears at any point if you feel the need to spin tires and waste gas.

Troy

Its not a waste if it brings a smile to your face!

I agree - but you never see me complaining about the price of gas either.

Troy

[RoscoePColtrain]

Thank you Troy for the info, you've given me more insight.

I'm not looking for Honda fuel consumption nor a gas pig, I was just wondering if there is a good in between,  coz it costs me about $53 to fill a full tank here in the Honda at 110.4 cents/Litre ($4.18/Gallon), can't imagine what it would be for a Charger (aside: Anyone know the fuel tank capacity)

[69charger2002]

it holds 18 gallons and at $3.29 a gallon for 93  costs roughly $60 to completely fill up with 93 octane. which lasts a day-maybe 2 of good driving. you seem pretty concerned with it's fuel mileage. you sure you don't REALLY secretly want a 318? with a 383 and 440, SERIOUSLY you can't think about gas mileage. you have to block it out of your head, or you'll drive yourself crazy. it's as bad as a school bus.. it's just the way it is. i only drive mine once a week or so, it would be hard nowadays unless you have endless money to drive one every day
trav

[THE COLONEL]

Well, here is my take on it.  I waiting for word on the price of a rebuilt 440 with 450 HP that a freind has.  If the price is right, I will have that in The Colonel.  If the price is not right, I will opt for teh 383 he has as well.  I want the 440 for the novelty of having one in my car.  That was always my dream.  I don't think gas consumption will be much different either.  Also, some have said to me that with a 440, look at the money you will spend in gas.  Well, lets say for example, todays price for the 93 Octane, is $3.30, and the 87 octane is $3.00.  With the way gas prices are, after you get a 440, the price for the 93 octane next year could be $2.50.  Basically, I'm saying don't worry about gas prices, and what money you will spend, because we never know where th eprices will be in the future.  Go with what you want!

[RoscoePColtrain]

Its crazy the amount of people choosing the 440 side which I can understand, but what do you guys think of a 383 with performance heads?

[gordo1968charger]

i probably used to get about 15mpg in my 383 4 barrel with 3.23 gears.BUT I REALLY NEED A 440.not that the 383 is slow BTW.
after spending £25000 on charger and the resto,gas prices do nt  worry me at all.
what worrys me more is some punk in his honda smoking my arse at the lights and bragging how chargers are shit and slow to all his ricer buddies.

[myk]

You don't need a 440 to take on a Honda, lol.  Why are muscle car drivers so afraid of those things?  Even IF you run up against some punk with the 'ol Turbo/NOS Civic that blows you away, he's still driving a "Honda."  You're driving a "Charger." 

'Nuff said...

[G-man]

Ive heard from engine builders (more than just 1), 440 stroked out to 512 cube, 575 ft/lbs of torque, mild cam, single 4 barrel on a street dom intake, 5 speed manual running 16mpg (that was also stomping on the pedal). 18mpg if you keep your foot out of it. Stick your foot in it... well its game over.

[charger01]

So what is the outcome of this year old thread...What did you decide and where are the pics?

[The Kid]

Well, judging by his latest post (May 2nd in the Performance Corner), he still hasn't made up his mind .

[ChargerSG]

If the 383 isent matching, 440! And build it right, seen 318 drink more than my 440(untill i put the pedal to metal ) on just crusing in 60mph.

[Death1970Proof]

Seems I may be one of the few that like 383's. a 440 will net you more low end grunt but I would have to agree that a low deck big block (361-383-400 ) is much more stronger in the main web section of the block. Id really forget about great fuel mileage with either one you choose. You'd have to have an overdive tranny,or fuel injection to meet goals like that. I run carbs because I cant afford injection. As stated
it would take alot to of investment to get mileage. Either ways good luck and have fun with your choice!
If you are driving a charger I notice most people dont really care whats under the hood.  Most people are like "WOW"!!! I havent seen one of those in years!!!

[Nacho-RT74]

I will soon be purchasing a GL from ScotLea Idols, but I can't seem to decide between the 440 or 383.  The price difference is not a problem, but fuel consumption is. 
I know that parts for the 440 are harder to get than for the 383 if I required later on down the road.  I hear a 383 is easier to build up as well.  Are there any advantages/disadvantages to either?

If I were to opt for the 383, can anyone suggest a decent performance build that would give me 400+ horsepower?

Thank you

440 is what kept Rosco behind the GENERAL!!!

well, if we think the original GL1 was a 383

[4aThrill]

you'll get tired of sayin'... "no,.. it's a 383..  " it's so much eaiser to shake your head 

and if your worried about MPG your barkin up the wrong cottenwood.. 

you'll be saying no that's a 383 they will ask how'd you make all that power  do something different, people are always going to ask if it's a 440, 400 or 383 unless you have a pie tin/label somewhere but still they will ask.