440 or 383 Which do I choose?

[RoscoePColtrain]

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

[Charger-Bodie]

id go 440! the fuel thing isnt gonna be much and the 383 will be worse than the 440 at the same power range, it takes fuel to make power .

[bull]

Yea, I don't see the 383 saving you much in gas costs over the 440. The difference between 4 and 6 isn't much. Personally I'm a big fan of the 383. I had one in my '70 and now I've got one in my '68. I ran the stuffing out of the one in my '70 for 11 years and never had any problems. In fact the current owner is just now doing the 2nd rebuild on the original engine, the same one my dad and I rebuilt back in 1986. And I'm still not convinced it really needed a rebuild in '86.

[dpm68]

440 - more bounce for the ounce!

[Troy]

In my opinion, building up a 383 will put you at or near the same fuel mileage as a 400 and will cost approximately the same. I don't know who told you the parts were harder to get because the entire top half of the engine and part of the bottom is the same. If anything, with places like 440 Source, Summit, Jegs, and Mancini, how could it be harder to find 440 parts?  Building them is nearly identical as well (cam, heads, intake, exhaust, etc.). There isn't a huge weight difference between them - although they are both relatively heavy so more torque (440) is always better. The 383 can *possibly* rev higher and might be better for higher speeds (RallyeMike put one in his open road racer). If you're cruising and just like to punch it between stop lights then it's unlikely that you'll notice the difference. Just get the 440.

If you want fuel mileage get a 318 with a 2bbl or fuel injection and keep your foot off the floor.

Troy

[ITSA426]

There's no replacement for displacement!

[TUFCAT]

440 is the best all-around Mopar engine.  Its a no brainer in this case   I wish I had one..... 383 for my car (for correctness only) and not because I necessary like it that much!

[mikesbbody]

There's no replacement for displacement!

I agree with troy its not hard find parts for the 440. more torque, more power, what more could you want? go with he 440 i say. 

[69charger2002]

yep another vote for 440 hands down. cost the same to build. why not go 440?? gas mileage with those 2 engines is not even an issue. not enough difference to matter(seriously 10 on a mild 440 versus maybe 12 on a stock 383.. but then again you said 400 hp out of a 383.. so 10 for it too..).. 440 will be strock pretty much 400 hp. torque monster too. i guess what me and everyone else are trying to say is.. 383's are great motors, but when given a choice. get a 440
trav

[Ghoste]

The 440 is almost the perfect engine.  Parts cost the same as for a 383 and parts availability is the same for them.  Neither is harder to rebuild than the other and fuel consumption will be much closer than you might think.

[Khyron]

I had this dilemma also.... but there is now a 440 in my car

[Ghoste]

Oh, I forgot to mention resale!  If you are doing a GL and not a numbers matching resto then go for the big dude.  It'll be more impressive if you ever decide to sell it, plus if you or a prospective buyer ever wanted to turn it into an RT clone, you're part way there. 

[DodgeChargerNeeded]

Definately go with the 440. A 383 is fine if its the original motor or something but if your building from scratch 440 for sure. Really helps with resale too. Makes people jealous at car shows too.

[firefighter3931]

There's no replacement for displacement!

Truer words were never said 



Ron

[Goldfinger71]

IMO 440 is the way to go....HOWEVER if you want to be different go with the 383.They are great engines,you can get em' for almost nothing becuase mostly eveyone(as you can see)want's or has a 440.
I had a built 383 in a 71 RR.And becuase of that experience,I will ALWAYS keep myself open to that engine!

[Brock Samson]

 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.. 

[bull]

IMO 440 is the way to go....HOWEVER if you want to be different go with the 383.They are great engines,you can get em' for almost nothing becuase mostly eveyone(as you can see)want's or has a 440.
I had a built 383 in a 71 RR.And becuase of that experience,I will ALWAYS keep myself open to that engine!

Anymore it's not that easy to find 383s or 440s. Not impossible but not easy like it used to be, especially those from the desireable years.

[TUFCAT]

I don't want to dog the 383 too much    I've read other peoples opinions and agree that the 383 is also a great motor. I'm especially a fan of the stroker 383 - - 'caus thats a whole 'nutha matter!!!  Runs like a 440 - - and still looks like a stock 383.  Unfortunately, the drawback...... it costs a lot to build.  Sure makes a good sleeper!

[dodgecharger-fan]

Both are great engines. Given the choice, I'd go for a 440, though.
For me, it's just the "It's gotta 440" factor, but in reality, all of the good reasons are mentioned in the replies above.

[Big Lebowski]

  Go with da Fo Foty & put a tunnel ram on it. I can guarantee 4 miles to the gallon at idle, wide open throttle mileage will vary. One thing's for sure, it will cause the fuel gauge to move rapidly downward.

[bull]

you'll get tired of sayin'... "no,.. it's a 383..  "

I seriously doubt that. What you will get tired of saying though, no matter which one you choose is "no, this thing does not have a Hemi."

[Ricardo]

People reaction to engine blocks:

440 block : BOG WOW!!!

383 block : wow

[bull]

People reaction to engine blocks:

440 block : BOG WOW!!!

383 block : wow

People's reaction to an old Charger no matter WTF the engine is: Holy crap!! I haven't seen on of those in years!! Here, take the camera, hang out the window at 65 mph and get some shots of it for me, honey!!!

[2Gunz]

Gas Mileage? Go buy a Honda.


And 440 all the way.

[moparsons]

one more vote for 440!!!