Engine Choice - 383 Vs 440

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    Author Topic: Engine Choice - 383 Vs 440  (Read 6307 times)

    Offline OzCuda

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    Engine Choice - 383 Vs 440
    « on: May 24, 2005 - 11:22:24 PM »
    So I'm after some real-world opinions on living with big block engines.  Engine choice time for the 70 Barracuda, 318 will go and either a 383 or 440 in its place.  Have immediate access to the 383 which is out of a 66 Charger and has already had the bottom end done - will cost $1000 to buy plus cost to finish.  A 440 is 2 months away and will most likely be a 73/74 engine with no idea of its history so basically needs a full rebuild and will cost up to $3000 plus rebuild costs.  Purely on cost alone I'll be thousands ahead with the 383 and  by all accounts will be a very nice engine.  Problem is the allure of putting the 440 in and even making it a six pack, either of which might add to the value of the vehicle in the future.  All things being equal I would go the 440 but budget is always a factor but this isn't the main reason for my enquiry.  I'm interested in any advice or stories on day to day driving with these engines  - driveability, maintenance, running costs, too much torque in the 440 for the street - that sort of thing.  I've not had a chance to drive either of these engines so after your experiences and whether you can actually notice a difference on the street.  Worst case scenario for me is to spend the extra bucks on the 440 just for bragging rights only to find the thing never leaves the driveway because spinning the wheels at every set of lights becomes a pain.  Oh and while your at it - how long is a piece of string????
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    '70 Barracuda


    Offline Robb

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    Re: Engine Choice - 383 Vs 440
    « Reply #1 on: May 25, 2005 - 12:41:17 AM »
    http://members.aol.com/KMHolmes1/69charger.html


    This puts things in perspective.


    how long are you going to keep the car ?    Remember, its always cheaper to do it right the first time.   :burnout:
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    70 Challenger SE  (440 SIX PACK / Keisler 5 speed, R/T SE replication)       68 Sport Satellite Convertible 383 Super Commando / 727  Survivor

    2002 Trans AM WS6 convertible:  DD
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    Offline Carlwalski

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    Re: Engine Choice - 383 Vs 440
    « Reply #2 on: May 25, 2005 - 12:44:39 AM »
    Quote from: Robb on May 25, 2005 - 12:41:17 AM
    how long are you going to keep the car ?    Remember, its always cheaper to do it right the first time.   :burnout:

     :iagree: There is NO other way.  :thumbs:


    Do it once, do it right.  :patriot: ;)
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    1970 Dodge Challenger R/T
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    Offline Chryco Psycho

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    Re: Engine Choice - 383 Vs 440
    « Reply #3 on: May 25, 2005 - 01:19:57 AM »
    440

     67 '4"
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    Challenger - You`ll wish You Hadn`t

    Offline Ghost

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    Re: Engine Choice - 383 Vs 440
    « Reply #4 on: May 25, 2005 - 01:28:42 AM »
    440.00
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    Offline BB73Challenger

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    Re: Engine Choice - 383 Vs 440
    « Reply #5 on: May 25, 2005 - 11:54:04 AM »
     :iagree:

    This may sound crazy but I yanked a running 383 in favor of a 440 I needed to still build.
    Pound for pound, I like the 440 much more.
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    Jeff from Cleveland, Ohio

    kudakidd

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    Re: Engine Choice - 383 Vs 440
    « Reply #6 on: May 25, 2005 - 01:04:53 PM »
    Roughly the same external dimensions so how could you NOT drop in a 440?
    « Last Edit: June 01, 2005 - 12:45:31 PM by kudakidd »
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    Offline Rev-It-Up

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    Re: Engine Choice - 383 Vs 440
    « Reply #7 on: May 25, 2005 - 01:09:33 PM »
    If we would have had a 440 at the time, we would have exchanged the 383 for it. 
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    Offline ChallengerGary

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    Re: Engine Choice - 383 Vs 440
    « Reply #8 on: May 25, 2005 - 01:18:28 PM »
    440 -

    I had a '71 Gran Coupe a couple of years ago that I was selling.  I had restored it, painted FE5 Red, Rallye Hood, Rallye Rims, Cuda Exhaust, new interior etc.  It was 100% RUST FREE.  It had a 440 in it but developed a knock while I had it for sale.  I told people about the knock and they still offered me up to $20K for the car.  I did not feel good selling a car I knew had a problem, so I decided not to sell and to yank the  440 out.  

    I just happened to have a freshly rebuilt 383 at the machine shop and figured it'd be perfect for the Gran Coupe especially since it was originally a 383 car to begin with.  So I pull the 440, drop in the 383 and cruise around in it to break it in (after proper cam break in of course) because I wanted to make sure it was 100% before I tried to sell it again.  Well, long story short, I ended up only getting $17K for the car despite all of the extra expense & time I went through to put a FRESH motor in it.

     BTW - The 383 was no slouch, it had a nice cam, steel crank, new rods, bored 30 over, fully race balanced & prepped etc.  BUT people want those CUBIC INCHES!
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    Offline 70RT440SHAKER

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    Re: Engine Choice - 383 Vs 440
    « Reply #9 on: May 25, 2005 - 03:01:31 PM »
    Same difference as within slant 6 and 318, 383 just make small block power, so when you get right down to it there is no choice here:  440 the only way to go
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    Offline johnny-d

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    Re: Engine Choice - 383 Vs 440
    « Reply #10 on: May 25, 2005 - 04:04:14 PM »
    Anyone want to swap a 400 for my 383?    Anyone? . . .
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    Offline JS27N0B

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    Re: Engine Choice - 383 Vs 440
    « Reply #11 on: May 25, 2005 - 08:03:02 PM »
    There is no substitute for cubes.  I have 2 383's now but was always a 440 guy. I wish i could go for a 440 again but one car has no room, the other car would be incorrect so.......  I build a stroker 400 :fire:
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    1970 Challenger R/T Convertible 383/auto 1 of 516 *now sold after owning for 18yrs
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    Offline KelllysCuda

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    Re: Engine Choice - 383 Vs 440
    « Reply #12 on: May 25, 2005 - 09:37:31 PM »
    440, just incase you need the extra cubes later :thumbs:
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    Kelly

    Offline Wayne's 74

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    Re: Engine Choice - 383 Vs 440
    « Reply #13 on: May 26, 2005 - 02:16:06 AM »
    Quote from: johnny-d on May 25, 2005 - 04:04:14 PM
    Anyone want to swap a 400 for my 383? Anyone? . . .

    I have a few If you are searious . snagged a couple from a local yard a few months ago.
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    Offline OzCuda

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    Re: Engine Choice - 383 Vs 440
    « Reply #14 on: May 26, 2005 - 07:04:22 AM »
    Thanks Guys - Seems unanimous then.  So are all these 440s daily drivers or weekends only?  I had heard of a few probs with 440s that I was hoping to get answers to - excessive heat generation, difficult to keep in tune, very poor fuel economy, 383s rev more smoothly and are easier to drive - practical things if they are true???
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    '70 Barracuda
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