What engine to build 318-2, 383-2, 383-4, 426-2x4

[70 500]

lookin at building a motor in my second semester of school at iowa lakes here in emmetsburg. going for automotive technology so i might as well work on my own stuff instead of somebody else's

[SeattleCharger]

Is the 383 in it the original numbers matching engine?  Why aren't you going to rebuild that?  or if you are going to pull that and save it and put in a motor to drive it,  440 

[Blakcharger440]

My vote is for none of the above,but a 440 - 4 would be my choice

[Ghoste]

If you're in school, I figure you are already watching your budget so I think you should rebuild the 383 you have now and save the crazy stuff for later.

[Chryco Psycho]

440 will build for the same cost as a 383 , do a 440 4 bbl

[bull]

If you're in school, I figure you are already watching your budget so I think you should rebuild the 383 you have now and save the crazy stuff for later.

I don't know too many students who can afford a 426. Finding one is a real trick too and even the ones that need rebuilt cost more than a new 440.

If you have the numbers engine or are into originality I'd go with the 383. If you don't give a flying you-know-what about that stuff than go with the 440/4.

[SeattleCharger]

noticed the 3x2 440 option,  ya, I would go with a four barrel, six pack is cool, but cost is high and a good four barrel intake and carb can have higher numbers anyways

[alfanta]

I say build a small block, Maybe im the only one, but They are hella cheaper than big blocks. Not as much power of course, but You get what you pay for.
Im in college and I was goign to build a 440, but after lookig at what it was goign to cost me, I found a 360(picked up engine and tranny for $50) and im building that instead.

[hemihead]

If you want to drive it much maybe you should go with a Small Block. A well built, well tuned Small Block is all you need on the street.It will still beat all the big blocks that nobody seems to know what they're doing with.

[70 500]

the 383 is not the matching numbers engine so I'm not concerned about keeping it original. I've heard 383's can be bored and come out to about 438 does anyone know how these perform.

[SeattleCharger]

the 383 is not the matching numbers engine so I'm not concerned about keeping it original. I've heard 383's can be bored and come out to about 438 does anyone know how these perform.

You might be talking about stroking it,  stroker crank and longer rods means more cubic inches,  way more torque,  cost is somewhat higher to do because you have to buy the special crank,  maybe some extra machine shop work to make rods clear sides of cylinder walls,
  but 383's advantage is that they rev up fast and some other things maybe some people can add, can't remember,  better at sustained high rpm's?   

[MOPARHOUND!]

440 will build for the same cost as a 383 , do a 440 4 bbl

(Check the sig below.)

[max]

plan an engine according to your budget, if not then you will never get it finished.

since you already have the 383 then you don't need to put out extra money for a core engine to build, so there is a few dollars you are ahead right there.

[70 500]

stroke is what i meant yeah, well thx 4 the advice. any more tips lemme know, im leaning towards just using the 383 like i originally planned, even with scholarships school is still expensive. the problem with my 383 is that the car sat for 3 or 4 years and was never driven. it went from running rough one fall to being seized the next spring so i pulled the plugs and filled the block with fluid and freed it up so it would crank but now it wont fire, and i'm afraid to find out whats wrong when i tear it apart this winter.

[69bronzeT5]

If you're in school, I figure you are already watching your budget so I think you should rebuild the 383 you have now and save the crazy stuff for later.

[70 500]

The project

[SeattleCharger]

The project

Very cool, love those wheels you have on there.      Can you lower the front a little?  maybe smaller front tires

[70 500]

definitely a possibilty, i plan on doing it eventually

[Purple440]

Nice project