408 vs. 440: Which Would You Choose?

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Piston Speed

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Howdy all,

I have an interesting choice I've been racking my brain on.

I've got a Demon I bought as a shell on a rotisserie which came with a lot of interior parts but no mechanical parts that came with the car.

My goal is to have a car I can drive semi-regularly (several times a week) with torque comparable to a stock 440 Magnum from the late 60s. I'd prefer not to run faster than mid-11s at the drag strip because I don't want to put a rollbar in the car.

I want a street Demon like the one forum member Demon Seed used to own, complete with Cragars. A nice looking street car.

Currently I have two engines and a transmissions:

1) '76 440 I pulled out of a junkyard - A low compression engine with a cast crank that will likely need a rebuild. Comes with 452 heads but I'd probably buy aftermarket aluminum heads.

I'd prefer a four-speed so if I go this route, I'll have to get an 833 with a big block bellhousing and all the manual transmission parts (pedals, zbar, etc.)

I'd eventually want to run a Hemi Overdrive kit from Passon. I could get it on the road faster if I find a 727 to run in the meantime while I gather 833 parts.

2) Complete 5.9L with 90k miles from a 2003 Ram. More-or-less a short block engine. I haven't checked the heads; they're likely cracked, so at the bare minimum I'm looking at adding heads, headers, an intake (have an LA intake already), a carb (have one I can use for now or on the 440) and a cam.

If I go this route, the engine will be around 400-425hp, but I'd ultimately want to build a torque monster 408 so I'd have to buy another 5.9L, stroke it, then transfer the heads, headers, etc. onto it. So basically the 360 would be temporary.

Again, I'd prefer a four-speed, so I'd still need an 833 with a small block bellhousing and all the manual transmission parts (pedals, zbar, etc.) Will also ultimately get an overdrive kit.

I do have a 904 in a '71 Dart that needs rebuilding that I can run in the meantime while I gather 833 parts.

I can also borrow other parts from the Dart but I don't want to borrow too much since I'd like to get the Dart on the road eventually as well.

With either engine, I'd adding subframe connectors to the car and I'm also going to have to buy a complete rear end so that's a moot point.

Which engine would you pick?
 
408, basically same power levels, lighter in the front, and easier to fit headers and P/S, A/C ect.. Also badge it as a 273 and have a sleeper.
 
If you have half a notion of going big block in your head and don't you will later
regret it. Then later end up doing it anyway and spending the money twice.
 
It's like this:

B cup tits are fun! They do there job and everyone loves em.

DD TITS ARE AMAZING AND EVERYONE TURNS AND WATCHES EM GO BY.

Enough said
 
The 408 (if it had a forged crank) because I have a pair of new W2 heads I'm just itching to slap onto something that can make worthwhile use of them.
 
The 440, cause that's what I'm doing with my Dart! Already had the 5.9 LA in it and never got much done, engine/trans and headers. I was finding BB parts for cheap and I was going to go that route eventually.
 
If you have the room and money for exhaust, 440.
 
RustyRatRod said:
If you have the room and money for exhaust, 440.
Click to expand...

Good headers cost pretty much the same across the board. TTI Headers ain't cheep no matter what they fit. You can get $250 headers for small and big block. Both need a hammer and band aids to fit and both drag the ground. The exhaust expense for big block is a bullshit excuse these days. No offense RRR. Lol just callin it like I see it.
 
Never driven a car with a 440.
But my 565hp 408 is a lot of fun, then again bigger the better I reckon.
 
spl440 said:
408, basically same power levels, lighter in the front, and easier to fit headers and P/S, A/C ect.. Also badge it as a 273 and have a sleeper.
Click to expand...

If you're going to lie that big, may as well badge it as a 198 /6 and just don't pop the hood!

I'd drop in a B block, get the 440 Source 383 stroker kit with the 3.750 stroke crank with a +0.060" bore, a B block six pack manifold and slap on some 440-6 badges. Or if you go with the stock bore, say it's an ultra rare 426 wedge low deck. Since you're in need of an intake, you can find a cross ram intake! The bowtie drivers won't know the difference. You will have just a bit more room than with the RB, and definitely better coolness factor.

You're going to be in the same price ballpark no matter which heads you get if you go big or small...

That leaves you with deciding on the hemi orange or turquoise blue for the block. If you go with orange, get black plug wires and aircleaner and paint a jack-o-lantern on it so you have a Halloween color scheme in your engine compartment.

I must be nuts!
 
Ottmundr said:
If you're going to lie that big, may as well badge it as a 198 /6 and just don't pop the hood!

I'd drop in a B block, get the 440 Source 383 stroker kit with the 3.750 stroke crank with a +0.060" bore, a B block six pack manifold and slap on some 440-6 badges. Or if you go with the stock bore, say it's an ultra rare 426 wedge low deck. Since you're in need of an intake, you can find a cross ram intake! The bowtie drivers won't know the difference. You will have just a bit more room than with the RB, and definitely better coolness factor.

You're going to be in the same price ballpark no matter which heads you get if you go big or small...

That leaves you with deciding on the hemi orange or turquoise blue for the block. If you go with orange, get black plug wires and aircleaner and paint a jack-o-lantern on it so you have a Halloween color scheme in your engine compartment.

I must be nuts!
Click to expand...

or you can build a 500" short deck and tell everybody it`s a 383, like someone I know !!
 
Small block...nothing more satisfying then blowing the doors off big blocks,or the look on the big block owners face when he looks under your hood and realizes a small block put him back on the trailer:D:D:D
 
I'd find a 400 block and stroke that......smaller than a 440,lighter..much more performance over a 5.9...confusing ?
 
Since your stated goal is mid 11's so you don't have to put in a roll bar; do a 408. Hell a stock stroke 360 can do mid 11's, do a 408 and you've got the torque factor you are looking for. Less weight, better handeling.
 
..lots of power available with either engine
..an acquaintance built a Hemi Dart and said his biggest fear was that a 340 would go by him.
compare the cost....i'd go warm 360 unless you have "magnumitis"
 
I have both engines, but the stroked 493", 6 pack is in a '70 e-body with a Passon 5 speed. The EFI'd 408 with a 4 speed automatic-overdrive, lock-up/3000 rpm stall torque converter and 3.91 gears is in my '68 Barracuda convertible.

Both are quick and fast, but the '70 is much more so, as it has a touch over 700 hp, and is a handful. The 408 has just under 500 hp, is a blast to drive, gets better gas mileage (15/20 premium) versus (10/14 w 101 octane unleaded) and can is better suited to daily driving.

Either motor could have been built stronger, but street manners outweighed the chase for that last chunk of top end power in my builds. Both cars have smallish hydraulic roller cams for that reason. It was a good trade off that I appreciate every time I drive either one of them.

You really can't loose either way you go. Especially, if you run an overdrive and possibly even fuel injection. I may even convert my 493 to EFI soon. I love EFI.
 

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If I had it to do over I would go with a 408 with auto overdrive. A 408 with dished pistons makes as much power as a stock 440 and it will twist your head off. With an overdrive automatic and decent gearing you have the best of both worlds and pump gas friendly
 
Demon Seed's car was a 383 with a 727 and it was an awesome looking car and a well put together package.
Seeing that you are starting with a blank canvas, i would go with a mild 10:1 440 with about 550 horses and the new Trick Flow aluminum heads.
Since we're spending your money, i would buy a S-60 Dana to put in the rear with 002 and 003 Super Stock springs, Schumacher headers, the Passon 5 speed trans, Centerforce clutch with an aftermarket ''blow proof'' bellhousing, big bolt pattern discs on the front with 1.04'' torsion bars, and topped off with an AAR six pack fiberglass hood. Subframe connectors and an upgraded cooling system are a must.
Then paint it black and install the Cragar SS wheels that you want. I would go with 15X8'' on the rear with 275-60 15s, and on the front 14X6'' with say a 225-70 14 tire.
This should easily get you into the mid 11s and be fun to drive with the looks you want.
Stroker small blocks are cool, but once you drive a big block in one of these cars, you will never go back, guaranteed..........
Boy it's fun spending other people's money!
 
Depends on what you want in the end , a 600hp bb will be a lot more of a street car than a 600 hp sb , so if you are going mega hp street driven car BB is the way I'd go .
To tell the truth I had a bb back in the day , nothing like the feeling of bb power , my sb is quick , but not the same feel as the bb .
 
Based on your description of what the end goal is, BIG block.

I have a banker friend that has a 440 Duster, had it since he was in high school. It is a very unassuming car. Quiet, runs like a scalded dog.

I have had several big block cars (never an A body) in the past and I have to agree, there is something very alluring about them. I have been lazily looking for a 440 to stick under the shelf for a future project.
 
440. My car is mild and goes mid 11's on street tires and through the mufflers and I can drive it anywhere. The 408 offers sleeper status. The 440 offers wow status. In regards to being put back on the trailer by a SB anyone who has ever been to the track knows HP means nothing. A 4 cylinder pinto that run 25.0 could put you on the trailer. If you plan to run heads up you'd best forget about either of your engine choices. You need an 8 second plus car to be competitive in the heads up stuff.
 
Or at least think about being competitive at that time slip.

Money is a little tight? Do the 360. Basic rebuild with decent slugs.
 
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