New to V8's. 340 or 383?

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ESP47

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Hey guys I've had my slant six Duster for 10 years now but I just recently bought a 67 Barracuda fastback with a 273 commando. The car came with a SBP 7 1/4" rear and 10" drum brakes. I plan on swapping the rear for at least an 8 1/4" and the fronts to discs.

I've just began researching V8's but I've always wanted a 340 ever since I was a teenager. My question is, how much can I expect to pay to get a 340 and just have it rebuilt to regular factory specs? I'm not interested in racing it so I don't need performance mods or anything. I just want a nice looking car that looks like it could be original. If I buy a 340 block for $500, how much can I expect to pay for heads and to have it rebuilt? I'm just looking at ballpark here.

Some of these Barracuda's came with 383's so I've been wondering about those as well. They almost seem cheaper than 340's. What's a ballpark number as far as buying one and having it rebuilt?

Also what are the pros and cons of a 340 vs. a 383 in this car? The 340 seems like it would just drop right in. Are there certain mods needed to drop a 383 in or would I just need different motor mounts since some cars originally came with them? I'm a total newbie when it comes to V8's so I apologize if I'm asking stupid questions.
 
340 is cheaper, 383's are a tight fit, makes the car nose heavy. To build a stone stock 340 depending on year, 1500-2500 id guess.
 
seabee said:
Hi ESP47, What trans is in it?
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It's an a904 trans.

$1500-2500 isn't as bad as I was thinking. For some reason when I run across rebuilt 340's for sale, people want $4000-8000 for them but that's probably because they are full of performance parts...which I know nothing about at this point lol.

Sorry but I'm not a fan of 360's.
 
It will be hard to build anything under 3 grand unless you find a good complete engine that need little to rebuild but buying all the parts separate like block, heads, crank, rod etc... Plus machining gonna cost ya. I'd go 383-400 with 440 crank and rods if it was me.
 
67valiant 100 said:
save the 340s for restorers
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Exactly. If you HAVE to have a 340, then it's going to cost you. It's your choice. Build a good, solid running 360 for a $2500 and it'll put a smile on your face. For $350, I think this would be a good place to start.

360 w/J heads & Edelbrock intake

Keep in mind, either way you go, you're going to need motor mounts, new tranny/mount/driveshaft, bigger radiator, new exhaust, etc. Stuff adds up quick.
 
I built a 340 for under 3K. Its a nice street motor.
 
+1 on the 360... cheapest way to get HP since your car is already a small-block, just need a different motor mount bracket and it will drop right in. 340 will too but those are more expensive unless you already have one. 383 will require more stuff for a big-block swap.
 
67valiant 100 said:
^^^ x2, save the 340s for restorers
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Xs 100 on the 360 ...i have a 340 car and a 360 car ........i have compared them closely ......both are darts one is 68 and the other is 71 and in my opinion after comparing both engines under the same conditions is that the 360 is superior.....the stroke on a 340 is 3.31" and the 360 is 3.58 ....and that makes a huge difference in torque.....

plus a 360 is cheap ....where else can you pull an engine from a late 70s whatever and do a few mods and plug and play some dang good power

i also have a BB A-body ....the big block is sure sexy but that will cost more and there are a lot more factors to consider with the big block .....a BB swap is going to run into $$$ where the small block will fall right into place

plus if your going to go BB you might as well move up to a 440.....my cuda is an original 383 car but it has a 440 now and i dont miss the 383 one bit ...even though the 440 does not hook up.......but it sure looks good under the hood :)
 
I got a 360 in mine you will love it and parts are easier and cheaper than 340. You cant tell the diffrence to look at them.
 
I built my 428 HP 340 With edelbrock heads for rite around $2300-$2500. If I went with my X heads it would have been about $500 cheaper. I say 340, but I also have 9 spares with tons of 340 parts. I thought about building a 360 because the longer stroke will deff. produce more torque. As far as cost the 340 is not that much more to build. Only extra cost is the cost of the block. I know up this way 360s are a dime a dozen but you mention 340 and peoples eyes really light up. All personal preference, but id go LA all the way. I just sold a 70 375HP 340 ported 2:02 Js, steel crank, forged pistons, 10:1 comp., 280/.480 cam with only 1000 mi on it for $1800. Guy put it in a barracuda and is happy as heck.
 
273 said:
It will be hard to build anything under 3 grand unless you find a good complete engine that need little to rebuild but buying all the parts separate like block, heads, crank, rod etc... Plus machining gonna cost ya. I'd go 383-400 with 440 crank and rods if it was me.
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that^^
 
Actually,what do expect,out of it?What,are you willing ,tospend?
 
Most of the time a 340 will cost more to buy... After that if condition is close the price won't be much different to build....

My opinion for just a cruiser would be a 360.. Paint it orange and put a 340 air cleaner on it and most will never know the difference. 360 is cheaper to buy, and has just as many parts available for them
 
Your budget will dictate what engine you use.
360 is the best bang for the buck, and it bolts right in.
As said previously, you can dress it up like a 340 and it would fool most people.
 
RaniDart70 said:
Xs 100 on the 360....where else can you pull an engine from a late 70s whatever and do a few mods and plug and play some dang good power
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See, this is what kinda ticks me off. I love the 360 just as much as the next guy. The longer stroke makes it a superior street engine. However, just strolling down to your local junkyard and pulling a 360 out of a 70's, or even 80's whatever, just isnt an option anymore. The sad truth of the matter is that there ISNT anything older than mid 90's in the wrecking yards anymore. Its gotten to the point where older vehicles are worth more in scrap value than they are in parts value, and yard owners cant afford to have a bunch of old junk sitting around taking up space where they could have a 2003 impala or whatever.

Around here, you literally have to buy a CAR to the engine, and then scrap the car, provided you can actually find one with a 360 in it.

Im going through this right now myself. Im almost being forced to build a 318, because its what i already have. Not that i really mind that, I happen to like the short stroke of the 273/318/340 engines.

Not everybody will agree with me here though. Ive got a good friend who is giving me hell about building a 318. He keeps saying "Oh, Id NEVER build a 318 when you can build a 360 for the same price". My response to him is "Find me a buildable 360, and ill build one". He has yet to be able to deliver on that one.

Build what you can get your hands on. With the right parts, none of them are going to be slow. Not even the lowly 318!:D
 
360
Put in some better pistons, 202 heads, moderate cam, good intake and it will out perform a 383 built similiarly and cheaper to build. You will need to change the trans with 383 as well which will add another 1,000 or so dollars.
Heck, if you bore a 360 .040", you can tell people that you have a stroked 340!
 
If cheap power and great motor is your goal go 360, if the best small block ever made go 340 if you want a big block 383or 440 all have advantages ...you wont be disappointed with any choice
 
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