340 or 383 challenger

[MoparMatt383]

This is just an idea that I am kicking around.  What do you guys think would be the better route for my challenger?  A 340 or a 383 in my 71 challenger with an automatic.  The car was originally a 318 auto.  I have a 383 in there now but I can get a 60s 340 for a pretty good deal.  The 383 in there now is most likely nothing special.  I am pretty sure it is a stock 67 motor that somebody just threw a 4 barrel carb and intake on.  I would imagine the 340 would make the car handle better because it is lighter but then again the 383 has more cubes.  I am looking to make the car pretty quick because the barracuda is just going to have a stock 318.  This is just an idea that I am kicking around.  It probably won't materialize for awhile since I am focusing on my barracuda.  I am willing to entertain any thoughts.

Matt

[purple1]

Keep the big block in there.
If the 340 is cheep, you can never have too many spare parts.

Just my $.02

[Killer_Mopar]

I would imagine the 340 would make the car handle better because it is lighter but then again the 383 has more cubes. 

My car has a 383 and my dad's car has a 340 and both have power steering, I have driven both cars and notice no difference in handling. The added weight doesnt have much effect in my opinion. Normally, I would recommend the 340 because it would be an easier swap. However.....since you already have the 383 swapped in, keep it... Both engines are very good performers, but I would pick the 383 over the 340 because of the sound

[MoparMatt383]

Thanks for the imput so far guys.  One reason that I was thinking about going to a 340 is that there would be more room in the engine compartment to work.  Does adding headers to a 383 really make things cramped?  I have the regular manifolds in it now and it sucks to get to the plugs.

Matt

[purple1]

My car also has the 383 w/manifolds.
The plugs are easy compaired to swapping engines.
If the 383 runs good keep it in there.
You will need to change alot more than just an engine,
if you want to go back to a small block.

[Killer_Mopar]

I have the regular manifolds in it now and it sucks to get to the plugs.

The plugs on the 340 would be easier to change, but the plugs on the 383 are still very easy to change....I have headers and I can do all 8 in less than an hour(I usually jack up the car so I can get the plugs from underneath) Also, the headers do not cramp the engine comparment up, in fact I feel like they make it look roomier. Good luck.

[Street_Challenged73]

I'd say stick with the 383, but if you have the extra money you could always get the steal on the 340 and keep it on a stand.  At the rate these engines are going, they'll be worth more than gold. :eeksmall: That way, you could experiment with either engine and see which one you prefer. :thumbs:

[Chryco Psycho]

Just to be diiferent as usual ... I have never seen a 383 outrun a 340 , the 340 will be more powerful & will reduce weight

[Ghost]

I'm kinda partial to the 383, as it's my favorite Mopar engine, but, the 340 is better for the E body.

[torredcuda]

I like my 340-lots of room to work on it in an e-body and with the cams,heads,stroker cranks etc  availible you can biuld a killer small block fairly cheap.If you want some "wow" comments the 383 wouldn`t get you much even though it`s a big block-you would need to step up to a 440-6 or Hemi anyway.

[Mopar73340]

I would run the 340 over the 383. I've had both and the 340's always seem to outperform the 383. Like already said there is a lot of work involved to switch.  Let us know which you decide on.

[Carlwalski]

I don't get it......

340ci vs 383ci The engines are pulling the same weight vehicle, I remember reading about this thing before.

Cars that come with V6's or V8's the less engine will always lose in a straight line, less hp but still pulling the same amount of weight as the more hp engine, it's a given fact. ::

More hp, same weight car faster.

[cuda]

I say 340 foresure.   

[Katfish]

This doesn't solve your problem, because I wouldn't do it with the original engine.  Mopar Muscle had a good article about stroked small blocks.  You can get 400+ cubic inches with a 360 combo. 

I too have a 340 Challenger, and have always dreamed of extra HP.  Naturally the RB engines is the 1st thought.

After reading the article, I'm definitely going the "stroked" small block route to get all the HP you need.
Unfortunately this will be in the way distance future for me.

Good luck

[MoparMatt383]

I am pretty much gonna see if I still have any money left to my name after my barracuda is close to completion and if I do I figure I'll pick up the 340 and just hold on to it.  Also when I was talking to this guy he did say he had a few hemi engines.  I really didnt think much of it at the time because I just figured they would be too expensive, but if he only wants a few hundred dollars for a 340 who knows.  He might not want too much for a hemi.  One can only dream.  He is an old guy in his 60s that has just has a small shop and a big pile of mopar stuff.  I bought my barracuda from him for cheep.  He also had a challenger that was completely covered in junk that I could not even tell what year it was.  So who knows what he all has. 

Also I was looking in one of my mopar books and I know it doesnt really pretain to this because it was about stock engines.  It said that the 340 and 383 e bodys performed about the same because the 383s extra hp was lost to poor weight transfer and tire spin because of the extra weight up front.

Matt