340? Or wait for a 440?

Author Topic: 340? Or wait for a 440?  (Read 1620 times)

Offline Vader007

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340? Or wait for a 440?
« on: February 16, 2018 - 04:40:17 PM »
Hello,

I am about to purchase my first muscle car now that I'm older and actually have money. I've been wanting a 1970 Plymouth Barracuda ever since I can remember. However, I want to do it right.

My knowledge on cars is limited but I do have a few questions.

I found a 70 Cuda that is SUPER clean for $20,300 but it has a 340 manual and no shaker hood. My question is for those who have experience in this sort of stuff, is a bigger engine and a shaker hood worth it? Or is a 340 manual plenty of power?





Offline 1 Wild R/T

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Re: 340? Or wait for a 440?
« Reply #1 on: February 16, 2018 - 06:15:10 PM »
340 4 spd is a great combo...  And 20K if it's really clean should be a good deal...  Though "really clean" means different things to different people..
JS27N0B 70 Challenger R/T Convertible  FJ5 Sublime, Show Poodle w/90,000 miles since resto
WS27L8G 68 Coronet R/T Convertible  PP1 Bright Red, Project
RM21H9E 69 Road Runner Coupe R4 Performance Red, Sold...
5H21C  65 Falcon 2 dr Wagon... Dog Hauler...

Offline Fern

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Re: 340? Or wait for a 440?
« Reply #2 on: February 16, 2018 - 06:27:38 PM »
If it's an original 340 4speed, that's great. Find out if it has the original motor, makes the value higher.
I had one 15 years back and loved it. I have a 440 now and love it also.

Offline IRON MAN

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Re: 340? Or wait for a 440?
« Reply #3 on: February 16, 2018 - 07:44:58 PM »
I had a 1970 nice Roadrunner convertible 383 4-spd, air grabber hood and sure grip. I like my nice Challenger #'s matchin 340/727 just as much.

Offline challengermaniac

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Re: 340? Or wait for a 440?
« Reply #4 on: February 18, 2018 - 12:11:06 PM »
Welcome to the team and while I have a very bias opinion, I believe you will find great performance joy in the 340 with a four speed!  While it's not common to see a small block classic car on the road, it's even more rare to see a big block classic on the road (just my opinion). 

The bottom-line is, the 340/4 will be a great match for now and the future.  You can then improve it by adding electronic fuel ignition and doing some suspension/brake modifications to make it more fun and street worthy. 

Send us some pictures when you get a chance.

Charlie
« Last Edit: February 23, 2018 - 11:35:14 AM by challengermaniac »
Charlie
70 Challenger 340/4 Purple
70 Challenger T/A Red
Edmonds, WA

Offline 70chall440

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Re: 340? Or wait for a 440?
« Reply #5 on: February 18, 2018 - 01:34:40 PM »
Price sounds good and the combo is great, that said and as was alluded to; "super clean" means vastly different things to different people. I would HIGHLY recommend you find someone local who is knowledgeable in Ebodies to look the car over before dropping the cash. This site has many stories of people buying their first Mopar muscle car and ending up with a a very shiny project car they cannot drive and use. There are some significant issues that could lay just below the surface that could end up costing you a lot of money and worse completely souring your passion for this hobby.

If you dont know someone local, just ask her and there is bound be a member in your area that will help. Worst case, I am sure we would all be happy to help develop a check list for you so you are not completely blind.

I say all this because $20K for a 4 spd car is on the low side for sure meaning that if it were really "super clean" it should be higher is price which then begs the question as to why it isnt. In this day in age, everyone has the internet and every seller has a sense of what their car is worth (usually far more than is real). Not saying it isnt legit and a smoking deal but ... If on the other hand you meaning of super clean is that it is all there, needs a fair bit of work, doesnt have a lot or any rust, then disregard what I am saying.

If on the other hand it is very shiny, it does run and drive, interior is intact etc. I would be very cautious because a car in that condition would usually start much higher. $20K isn't an insignificant amount of money so its worth going in with both eyes open. Not saying it isnt a good deal, it very could be, but then again it could be a hand grenade with the pin pulled.... and $20K could turn into a lot more quickly.
Current Mopar
70 Challenger RT 440-6 EFI, 73 Cuda 416-6 EFI
05 Hemi Durango, 01 Ram 4x4, 14 Ram 2500 4X4, 10 PCP Challenger 6 spd RT, 01 Viper GTS ACR, 52 B3B w/330 Desoto Hemi, 70 Hemi RR (under const)
Past Mopars
9 x Challengers. AAR Cuda, 4 RR, 2 GTX, 4 Chargers, etc... (too many to list)

Offline RCCDrew

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Re: 340? Or wait for a 440?
« Reply #6 on: February 22, 2018 - 10:20:11 PM »
Personally I’d wait for a 440 car. I had a 340 Cuda but sold it. Now building a 440 Charger. Nothing like the torque of a big block.

Offline cudamadd

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Re: 340? Or wait for a 440?
« Reply #7 on: February 23, 2018 - 03:58:49 AM »
Welcome Just over $20 k  is a very cheap 70 ebody if it is clean with very little rust or body work  ????? I love my 340 cuda runs hard ,I also have a barracuda with a  440    must say it can pull a tree stump out .But i do find my big block a little nose heavy .
Go 4 a spin Ya Why Not.