How many guys running stock 440's and 383's in you Charger??

[Back N Black]

Just, wondering what you think of the power for such a big car, the 440 is 375 Hp and the 383 is 325 hp. Is it enough? or would you like to have more power.

[b5blue]

  I'm good, 440 stock HP Mopar cam and heads, .060 overbore 9.5 to 1 Hypers. with a stock 6 pack and HP ex. manifolds, crappy duel's with low restriction muffs (No crossover.) Lights up my close to stock size tires and runs fine. 

[Dino]

Had a 68 with a stock 383 save for cheap headers and now have a 440 in the 69 with a mild cam and headers.  There's more than enough power for my use with both cars but it's all relative.  Some will build a 700 hp monster and still don't feel it's enough.  I'm not one of those I guess.

[Cooter]

@ 375HP, I assume your referring to how mnay are running STOCK 440's and 383's.....


Most that are running 440's/383's are nowhere near 375HP. Most are in the 400-500HP range without stroker kits. I for one, have a 440 basic low comp turd motor, with CH heads and too big a cam and love it. It's enough to smoke a 10.5: clutch with a weak azz T-5 trans.

[Ghoste]

How much is "enough"?  The answer is as varied as the number of people driving old Chargers.  It all comes down to what you the individual plan to do with the car.

[Cooter]

How much is "enough"?  The answer is as varied as the number of people driving old Chargers. 

While this still holds true, it's like when my brother kept telling me he was drag racing his poor 318 Dart "For fun"...It's all in "fun"...Till he got beat about three times in a row by a Stroker Dart in the other lane, then it wasn't so much "Fun" anymore.

Same applies to engines and whether to stroke or not, and how much power. It's all in how much can one afford. IMO, it's never enough, as these cars used to rule the streets, but let's face it, today, they would get their asses handed to them by some jellybean lookin' Mustank with a "Modular" engine. So, in order for most to keep up, they tend to build these dinosaurs to uphold their repuatation.

[johnnyseville]

How much is "enough"?  The answer is as varied as the number of people driving old Chargers.  

While this still holds true, it's like when my brother kept telling me he was drag racing his poor 318 Dart "For fun"...It's all in "fun"...Till he got beat about three times in a row by a Stroker Dart in the other lane, then it wasn't so much "Fun" anymore.

Same applies to engines and whether to stroke or not, and how much power. It's all in how much can one afford. IMO, it's never enough, as these cars used to rule the streets, but let's face it, today, they would get their asses handed to them by some jellybean lookin' Mustank with a "Modular" engine. So, in order for most to keep up, they tend to build these dinosaurs to uphold their repuatation.

Exactly my sentiment, will not be beaten by a high tech model with a high performance chip.  The old saying goes. never can be too rich, too good looking or have too much horsepower.

[skip68]

For me all I wanted was the ability to smoke my tires and have a nice deep rumble.   Never had the need or money to try and keep up with the next guy.  There will always be a next guy that's got more money and faster.   The more power usually means the worst it runs on the street.   Before VegasMike and I de-tuned my 440, it only ran great at over 3,500 rpm.       Wrong build.   I wanted a cruiser with a little muscle not a wide open throttle drag car.  I think a stock 440 would be plenty for me and my driving habits.   
I didn't know much about motors and had a shop build my first one.   That was my mistake.   

[JB400]

For insurance reasons, I thought they're all stock  Mine won't need a lot of hp.  I'd rather have more of a stock build anyway for reliability reasons.  I'm more of a corner carver anyway, and excessive hp numbers just aren't as important as are torque and a well handling car. 

[Troy]

I don't think any of my cars have ever been "stock" - but none are far from it. I drive a LOT so longevity is important. I see a lot of guys with race motors on the street and they're constantly rebuilding something. I don't have the time or patience for that!

Troy

[triple_green]

My 68 is bone stock except for the Petronix kit. Even has the stock 490 cfm carter AVS carb. The 28" tires with the 3.23 are a little "doggy", but the 275 60 15s on 15x8 Magnums look great!

It runs well and is easy to tune. It will turn the tires over from dead start (but just barely). My son ran it in the 1/4 last year and it went 15.0, leaving it drive, with an 18 YO driver.

It has great acceleration up to 100.

But best of all it sounds awesome...with the loose factory "hemi mufflers". It is loud, but not flowmaster loud and droning.

I have fantisized about a 600-650 carb and a set of headders. Don't know if it would make a lot of difference...

What I love most is the new Camaro and Mustang guys (even Vipers) seem to be afraid of it. If they only knew it only had a 490 cfm stock carb....

Still a blast to drive!!

[Mopar Nut]

Stock 383 HP in my 69, but looking for a 440 six pack car.

[68RT440]

The 440 in my '68 isnt crazy, but I wish it was faster. Its the matching numbers motor, so we didnt go crazy with it. .060" over with flat tops, stock crank and rods, home ported original 906's with stock sized valves, Comp cam, old CH4B Eddy intake and a holley carb. It has the stock 3.23 gears and 727 trans with a 2400 stall and a Cheeta valve body. Car feels gutless, not sure if Im just used to my Mustang, or what, but it needs more....

[westcoastdodge]

my stock 440 seems to be enough to scare off most chicken chasers

[Patronus]

I figure you need 600 hp to move her at a respectable rate these days. 

[BlueSS454]

I have a bone stock as Chrysler built it 440 in the Charger.  The only thing I changed was the intake manifold just to get rid of that cast iron boat anchor that was on it.  While I think it is lacking in the horsepower department because it's a 1974 Motorhome engine, it still does everything I need it to do.  Get me from point A to point B when I take it out for a ride or down to Ocean City, MD for the weekend.  I had thought about pulling it and rebuilding it so it has about 400-450 HP but decided to leave well enough alone.  The engine itself has low mileage and runs like a top.

[charger_fan_4ever]

I will only add electronic ignition and a holley carb for reliabilty reasons and a small cam for my 440.

Lets face it the charger is a 4000lbs car. You want to go fast buy an A body and shove a big block in it with real heads.

[twodko]

My 69's 440 has electronic ignition and an Edlebrock carb. I'd like headers, some performance heads and another carb but then it wouldn't be original. Yeah, I know its not original with the 2 items that are on it but you get my drift.

[440mike]

The 383 in my '67 is a mild build, headers and alum intake with edlb 650 carb, and a little bigger cam. Could use a bit more carb but run great and is very reliable and pretty quick for a big car, however I am trying to buy a nice mildly built 440 thats around 500hp but still very streetable and reliable as well as its been in my friends wifes 73 cuda for a while now and has never given him any trouble.  He is gonna do a late model hemi swap on it so I am buying the 440!

[Cooter]

Lets face it the charger is a 4000lbs car. You want to go fast buy an A body and shove a big block in it with real heads.

Firefighterron might disagree. He goes fast in a 4000LB "Pig".

[1974dodgecharger]

or beat by some 1500lb civic with a turbo hahahahah...

to keep up and blow the waters out of these modern rice burners we need a stroked, bored, engine in the 500 range and then add a blower for 'safe' KEEPING to make sure we blow by them by 10 car lengths or more.

How much is "enough"?  The answer is as varied as the number of people driving old Chargers. 

While this still holds true, it's like when my brother kept telling me he was drag racing his poor 318 Dart "For fun"...It's all in "fun"...Till he got beat about three times in a row by a Stroker Dart in the other lane, then it wasn't so much "Fun" anymore.

Same applies to engines and whether to stroke or not, and how much power. It's all in how much can one afford. IMO, it's never enough, as these cars used to rule the streets, but let's face it, today, they would get their asses handed to them by some jellybean lookin' Mustank with a "Modular" engine. So, in order for most to keep up, they tend to build these dinosaurs to uphold their repuatation.

[cdr]

the old tired 383 is still in my car !but not for long,been collecting parts.

[resq302]

Lets face it the charger is a 4000lbs car. You want to go fast buy an A body and shove a big block in it with real heads.

Firefighterron might disagree. He goes fast in a 4000LB "Pig".

Speaking of which..... anyone hear from Ron lately?

[bill440rt]

All depends on what you want to do with the car.
If racing is your game, then of COURSE stock isn't for you. You'll always want more, and there will always be someone faster. Isn't that the point? The want/need to go faster?

Aside from a 30-overbore & hardened valve seats, the 440 in my '70 is stone stock. Points ignition & stock carb also. I wouldn't change a thing. Idles smooth & runs beautifully.

My '69 is more modified, dyno'd at around 520-hp, which is more than plenty on the street for me.

[70 Charger RT]

 No stock here.  But not a race engine either.  It has a 6 pack setup, with stealth heads and a 10.5 to 1 compression ratio.  The dyno says 430 HP with 508 foot pounds.  I'm currently still hooking everything up before I start it.

[chargerboy69]

I have a stock 383 in mine.  It does have electronic ignition and an Edelbrock intake, otherwise totally stock. It is a very nice cruising set up, I never have to mess with it, but if one is wanting a powerhouse, this is not it.

My wifes Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.7 will smoke it if we were to run them. 

[charger_fan_4ever]

Lets face it the charger is a 4000lbs car. You want to go fast buy an A body and shove a big block in it with real heads.

Firefighterron might disagree. He goes fast in a 4000LB "Pig".

True just need more $$ to get more power to overcome the extra $$.

I was referring to someone wanting to go fast and not break the bank.

[Cooter]

IMO, some Chargers are built with 500 HP engines and look good. Others are built with 700 HP engines and look and run good.


I have neither.

[Mr. Lee]

I have a 440 with a little stronger cam, Edelbrock intake and Edelbrock 750 carb. It runs good if you like to cruise. Isn't very strong in the lower rpm's, but once it is going, it's going good. Anyone would know b.t.w. why it's not that strong in the lower rpm's?

[bull]

My '68 is running the original 383 but it's not quite stock per se. I get to say "running" now because it is actually running.

Anyway, it started out as a 290 hp 2bbl and now I suspect it's pushing 400 hp, according to some estimates by our own Firefighter Ron. So far it's only left a pair of 30-foot black stripes on the pavement out in front of my neighbor's house but it was enough to give me the shakes. The fact that I was sitting on a furniture dolly while doing this had a lot to do with the adrenaline rush but I as it stands really can't complain when it comes to power. Maybe someday I will but I doubt it.

[Dino]

I have a 440 with a little stronger cam, Edelbrock intake and Edelbrock 750 carb. It runs good if you like to cruise. Isn't very strong in the lower rpm's, but once it is going, it's going good. Anyone would know b.t.w. why it's not that strong in the lower rpm's?

What trans and rear end gears?

[Mopar Nut]

I have a 440 with a little stronger cam, Edelbrock intake and Edelbrock 750 carb. It runs good if you like to cruise. Isn't very strong in the lower rpm's, but once it is going, it's going good. Anyone would know b.t.w. why it's not that strong in the lower rpm's?

Did it come out of a motor home?

[Mr. Lee]

@ Dine: trans is a 727 TF, gears I'm not sure what the builder put in.

@ Mopar Nut: Dont know where the 440 came from either; where can I check the date code? Maybey the builder used a third generation engine?

[Sublime/Sixpack]

My '70 Charger has it's original 440 Six Pack engine in it. (I consider it to be a mild 440). Would I like more horsepower? Sure, but at what cost or trade off?
The way it is now the engine is docile as can be around town, but when I open it up it doesn't feel like the same engine, it goes like hell. I find that to be a pretty good balance.
Besides, I no longer feel the need to show up everyone on the street of highway. There's so much more to driving and enjoying these classic American performance cars than all out straight line acceleration.  
My

[Cooter]

@ Dine: trans is a 727 TF, gears I'm not sure what the builder put in.

@ Mopar Nut: Dont know where the 440 came from either; where can I check the date code? Maybey the builder used a third generation engine?

Sounds like too much cam and or not enough converter. Most times (Not saying with YOUR engine)A cam with overlap that rivals Big Daddy Don Garlits engines tend to "Sound good", but tend to be sluggish on low RPM. Gears play a huge role as well.

[HeavyFuel]

Stock numbers 440 (.030 overbore, 9.6:1, hardened valves/seats), original AVS 4429S carb, electronic ignition conversion, electronic voltage regulator, stock intake with crossover blocked, stock diameter TTI pipes with X crossover, Hughes converter 22-2500 rpm stall, stock 3.23 sure grip rear.

First fire up scheduled for May this year.

It'll probably be a slug.......but then so am I.

[Dino]

Stock numbers 440 (.030 overbore, 9.6:1, hardened valves/seats), original AVS 4429S carb, electronic ignition conversion, electronic voltage regulator, stock intake with crossover blocked, stock diameter TTI pipes with X crossover, Hughes converter 22-2500 rpm stall, stock 3.23 sure grip rear.

First fire up scheduled for May this year.

It'll probably be a slug.......but then so am I.

It may not win every race but it'll be far from a slug.  I think you'll be surprised.

[johnnycharger]

I would say my 383 is stock. it has headers, flows, blaster coil, Holley 750 and edelbrock intake.I have changed the Gears to 4.10s which helped the get up and go but ruined the highway driving. I am thinking about adding one of those Rev a nators but I don't want to introduce any problems when is already running. I would love more power but it will always be a Saturday drive on the street type car for me.

[6pkrtse]

Mine used to be mostly original & all stock until the recent rebuild. Now it has more cam, actually lower compression, headers, shift kit, stall & 4:10 gears but still looks all stock.

[dodgey68]

ha i have a standard/stock 318 with a 4brl,  ,,, but its reliable, and cheep to run?

saving for and building a bb

[myk]

440 here.  The car was originally a 383 but one of the PO's swapped in the 440.  I'm glad he took care of the heavy lifting for me...

[Bob T]

My '70 Charger has it's original 440 Six Pack engine in it. (I consider it to be a mild 440). Would I like more horsepower? Sure, but at what cost or trade off?
The way it is now the engine is docile as can be around town, but when I open it up it doesn't feel like the same engine, it goes like hell. I find that to be a pretty good balance.
Besides, I no longer feel the need to show up everyone on the street of highway. There's so much more to driving and enjoying these classic American performance cars than all out straight line acceleration.  
My

Yeah mate, good point, similar here. My #'s 440 has a torker manifold, mild cam, headers and 750 on stock heads, I just busted off a 1300 mile roadtrip with zero issues and it ran like a train, its more about the cruise and long distance family trips for me than getting to the other end of the 1/4 the quickest

[mauve66]

i thought my 383 was equivalent to my dads old RR (when i was 8-9 yrs old) until i rode in a friends 440, no replacement for displacement, now where was that check for the 540 wedge.....

[ODZKing]

Stock 383 in my 67.  My 73 has a mild cam in it (I'm told). 
They'll never race so I'm fine. 
Frankly I'd rather have dependability and milage, dependability being VERY important.