383 Vs. 440

[Dave22443]

  I have a 68 Charger which originally came with a 383 HP engine.  When I got the car, the original engine was long gone and I have no idea why.  In its place was a 1968 318.  (I thought it was interesting that the year of the engine matched the car since I knew it had been replaced)

  Anyway, I wound up eventually buying a used 1969 Plymouth 383 Super Commando engine with a 727.  Since the engine was still in good working order, I just dropped it in as it was with the intent to pull it out this winter for a proper build-up.

  Now I have come to have a complete 1974 440 and I'm wondering which engine to build up?  The factory specs for my 383 are a respectable 335 HP / 425 Torque @ 10.0:1 compression, while the '74 440 is rated at a dismal 230 HP / 350 Torque @ 8.2:1 compression.

  Now, considering that my buildup will include new pistons, carb, cam and an overbore anyway, but retain the existing heads (that could be worked), which engine should I most consider building?  (Most bang for the buck)

  Keep in mind that I have no intention of swaping parts around between the engines as whichever engine doesn't go into my car, will eventually find its way into my sons car.  I am however more interested in the actual performance of the engine, rather then cubic inch size, but my goals are moderate.  I would like to achieve 400 HP / 475 Torque on high octain pump gas.

  Which one would you build and why?

[defiance]

'74 440 probably has 906 heads, which I *think* are as good as anything you're likely to have on the 383 (correct me if I'm wrong here), and the rest of what makes the 440 weak (low compression pistons, cam, etc.) will be replaced anyway, so it sounds like you should definitely go for the 440.

[Dave22443]

Thanks for the feedback!  In all honesty, I wouldn't know how to tell what heads on are it, other then they are original.

[694spdRT]

A '74 440 will not have 906's from the factory. The good thing is they will likely have hardened seats from the factory and flow nearly the same as 906's anyway.

Keep in mind the 440 specs are NET where the 383 specs were GROSS. I would build the 440 for your Charger and give your son the 383 as the cost for rebuilding is virtually identical.

[defiance]

Really?  My 440 is a '74, and it had 906's...  but then again, it could very well have not been stock

[Dave22443]

OK, so I guess the Million Dollar question is, how do I tell?

[694spdRT]

If you take off a valve cover there will be a casting number visible. Look at the last three digits in the number for the "906" or whatever number that is there.

My interchange maunual shows a 1974 400-440 would have a "901" head or a 1973-74 400-440 "213" head.

[Nacho-RT74]

STOCK 69 383 against STOCK 74 440... I would go with 69 383 and change the heads for hardened seats ones ( 452 maybe ) and maybe get a stock 400 intake to spreadbore carb. Lighter and higher compression

Now, if you will put performance irons on it, then would go with 440, starting with high compression pistons.

Or you have allways the stroker option with any of the engines, being 383 or 400 the cheaper ones using a stock 440 crank ( preferable steel, but iron will work without problem ), and getting a lighter stuff under the hood

is just an opinion.

[firefighter3931]

Build the 440. Use the speedpro 6-pack pistons and have it balanced and you've got basicly an HP motor. That motor "should" have a set of 346 head castings which are unleaded fuel compatible. A set of headers, descent cam, good manifold and carb and you're easily at 400hp/500tq.


Ron

[Chryco Psycho]

 
the cost to build either will be the same , the 440 is the better engine , nothing wrong with the 74 440 & the heads make no difference , 906 , 346 or 452 all flow very close to equal 

[694spdRT]

I was wondering why my interchange manual did not list "346" heads at all....must be a mistake in the book.

[miller]

sorry i dont want to highjack the thread but what would a regular 440 out of a 1970 new yorker have, head wise?

[Chryco Psycho]

70 had 906 heads originally