438 Stroker

[NoMope Greg]

Only a retard would call you that about 13 cubic inches.     IIRC from some of our motorheads, the 451 will breath a bit easier because the bigger bore unshrouds the valves, but the difference in a street car is probably negligible.

And he doesn't know what he's talking about if he thinks there are more 400s out there than 383s.  I'm pretty sure the 383 is the most-common big block and probably third overall behind the 225 /6 and the 318 in total numbers.  Ma put the 383 in just about every car line and lots of trucks for about 13 years. 

[Super Blue 72]

  A 383 is what's hiding in my garage too!   Like Greg mentioned, 383's were easy to find when I was looking for a BB engine. 400's were only made from '72-'78.  Here's some onfo on the 2 blocks: http://www.allpar.com/mopar/b-engines.html

[moper]

I think the only thing retarded is placing the design of the build in the hands of the internet...lol. (and yes, I spend some time spewing on it...lol) There is enough extra machining involved in stroking a B wedge that I wouldnt bother unless it was a 400 based one. That's because of performance and block design reasons that I think are important. But if it's what you have, and it's what you want, then build it. If you intnd on doing this ultra low budget, my impression is it will be more expensive than you think to get good power from and my advice would be use cleaned up (stage one) iron (516) heads with 2.08/1.74 valve sizes and the 3.75" stroke kit from 440 Source. The crank fits the block better, the pistons are decent quality, and the cost is reasonable with little effort. It is not that easy to get big power from the 432/438 package without incurring the drivability issues that come with a snotty, high horsepower, smaller" engine package. So one tends to spend on making components fit together right in the quest of making power.   

[The Cuda Guy]

There is enough extra machining involved in stroking a B wedge that I wouldnt bother unless it was a 400 based one.

This is consistant with what I have read also.  You can go to 440 source and see where a lot of the diferences are in the block ect.

Drew if its a mater of finding a 400 block let me know.  I know where a whole 400 engine is sitting.  If your looking to keep your numbers engine it makes sence to me to keep your 383.  Get with me if you need me to inquire about the 400.

Oh yeah why not go with iron heads, save money or reinvest the money to get better parts like maybe a roller cam, proform carb ect. ?  915s are decent heads.  Get them ported and suped up and dont look back.  For the power range you will end up in I think this is solid advice, iron heads that is. 

Good luck bro, keep in mind that all this is coming from the guy who has done nothing towards his 440 build and to take what you think is good advice and leave the bad.


Don

[sleepychallenger]

i think the only reason that i really wanted to go with the 438 was because i never hear about them. I always hear about the 451 and just wanted to be different then the rest of them. I know this build is still going to be pricey, its not my first rodeo building performance or building an engine period. however, it will be my first performance mopar build, the rest have been factory builds. I might surrender and just go with the 451, but i really want to do the 438. i like the way it sounds too, 438 438 438

[422STROKER]

that is what i thought, but it really bugged me when he said that i was a retard because 400's are bigger and more plentiful.

I think they mad something like a few million 383's?  400's?

Nice that they call you that.

I would like to do the 438 route later when I do my 70 Barracuda, seems like a great set-up with plenty of tq. 

Tom

[moper]

Tom, did I tell you I have a 400 short in the shed?   

[422STROKER]

Tom, did I tell you I have a 400 short in the shed?   

Yes I may recall that.

Tom

I'd still badge it a 383 though.

[sleepychallenger]

Ok all, KARMA comes around. I was talking to my buddy about the deal i found on a 383 and he stepped up and said that I have helped him out more than $300 worth in the time that we have known eachother and sent me a western union within 30 min to pay for my 438 engine starting point. Goes to 68show you even chevy guys have big hearts.

here is what it is

1968 383 HP. i think he said 906 heads. the only thing it doesnt have is the exhaust manifolds and the oil pan (pan had a hole in it.)

so.... let the fun begin............

[sleepychallenger]

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/UEM-KB400-060/All/

what do you all think of this Piston for my proposed build? The engine finally arrived and what a suprise!!! pictures will come soon. the bores are awesome, they have a very very slight ridge at the top. biggest suprise, this engine had never been opened up till now. it even still had that insulation pad under the intake still intact and the factory spark plug wire boot protectors bolted in. mmmm.....the bug has bitten. pulling the heads and intake off today really got me goin. 

[sleepychallenger]

ok, i stumbled on my plans and was reading on another site that a 440 crank in the 383 will give me a 447. any inputs? the factory bore for the 383 is 4.25, if i go .010 over, where would that put me so i know what size pistons to order when the time comes?

[sleepychallenger]

i tried posting pics now 4 times and it keeps saying that the upload folder is full....

[Chryco Psycho]

depends on the bore size but a 440 crank in a 383 block should be 438ci

[Ornamental]

i think the only reason that i really wanted to go with the 438 was because i never hear about them. I always hear about the 451 and just wanted to be different then the rest of them. I know this build is still going to be pricey, its not my first rodeo building performance or building an engine period. however, it will be my first performance mopar build, the rest have been factory builds. I might surrender and just go with the 451, but i really want to do the 438. i like the way it sounds too, 438 438 438

I like it too. 

And you're right, a 438 isn't talked much about. Dare to be different.
Besides, no matter what engine you build, there's always someone bigger, better, and badder. Also, afterwards someone will inevitably tell you how the time and money involved would've been "better" spent regardless of what you built, and even if they were right, so what?

Why not go for what makes you happy?
After all, that's what a hobby is for. And if you wanted to be sensible and dull about cars, you'd have a Toyota Corolla instead of a Challenger already. 

Good luck with the build!

[sleepychallenger]

depends on the bore size but a 440 crank in a 383 block should be 438ci

CP, what do you think about the pistons that i posted up? also, what about the .010?