360-383 A-debate...max builds need not apply.

[diymirage]

Probably a 440. Getting rid of the rest of the carcass is where the fun starts!!

I figured I'd tow it to your place and let you have it as a hunting shed

 

[Jim Lusk]

Some of you are missing something in reading the factory horsepower numbers. Around 1972 the way the power was rated changed from SAE Gross to SAE Net. That's why the 340 horsepower dropped, not because it was necessarily weaker engine and certainly not by the amount the number changed. Also remember that the '74 360 four barrel was rated at 5hp more than a '73 340. Build 'em the same and you will get similar results (like the '71 Chrysler 1/4 mile times listed above).

 

[AJ/FormS]

...and what rear tire are we running here?

I used a rollout of 84 inches so 26.7s, or something like 245/60-15s, or 295/50-15s

 

[pauly]

I figured I'd tow it to your place and let you have it as a hunting shed

Or not! My brother tore a mini-home apart once for the drivetrain. Said “Never again!” You looking for a big block? I have a few!!

 

[diymirage]

Or not! My brother tore a mini-home apart once for the drivetrain. Said “Never again!” You looking for a big block? I have a few!!

thanks, but im really not...i dont have anything to put it in anyway

but someone brought up the idea of picking an engine of craigslist and that was the closest thing i could find

 

[pauly]

thanks, but im really not...i dont have anything to put it in anyway

but someone brought up the idea of picking an engine of craigslist and that was the closest thing i could find

I've got a 383, a 400, and a 440 short block, along with a couple 340's and a 360

 

[diymirage]

I've got a 383, a 400, and a 440 short block, along with a couple 340's and a 360

ill keep you in mind if i ever need one

 

[Krooser]

Big bore short stroke wins the race...

 

[sccachallenger]

The only one that wouldda had a chance was the 1971 only 360, because of its higher compression and all it ever came with was a two barrel.

Good call! 71-72 had non-dished pistons, and J heads.

 

[MOPARMAGA]

Maybe I didn't state it correctly. Wasn't trying to say the factory saw the 340 as the better motor, only that I thought the 383 was the base engine for some E-Body model and that for a small price you could "upgrade" to a 340 4BBL. Can't figure out what model it would have been (not a T/A or AAR), so I must be wrong. Had it pointed out to me in a thread on a different forum and it seemed like I remember seeing that before, but didn't verify it then and couldn't just now either.

Did you mean 383 is standard engine in challenger r/t ?

 

[DionR]

Did you mean 383 is standard engine in challenger r/t ?

I thought so, yes, but have since looked and was wrong.

It was the ‘71 and ‘72 Road Runner that I was thinking of, not the Challenger/Barracuda. 383 was the base motor and the 340 was an extra cost option.

 

[sccachallenger]

Always found it odd that the base engine(400) on a '72 Road Runner had blank call outs on the standard hood. Its almost like Chrysler was embarrassed by this, weird! Yet the 340 was proudly announced on standard hoods and air-grabber fenders.

 

[Dana]

Since

Always found it odd that the base engine(400) on a '72 Road Runner had blank call outs on the standard hood. Its almost like Chrysler was embarrassed by this, weird! Yet the 340 was proudly announced on standard hoods and air-grabber fenders.

I had a 72 Charger Rallye 400 Magnum, 71,*** miles bone stock EVERYTHING except a 3.91 gear. It had been rode hard and put away wet before I got it. When someone tells me that the 400 were slugs, I always tell them that they never rode in the one I had. It was one tire shredding S O B!

 

[RustyRatRod]

Good call! 71-72 had non-dished pistons, and J heads.

The 71 only was all by itself. It had taller compression height pistons than any other year.

 

[sccachallenger]

Interesting, I guess I assumed the pre-dished pistons were all the same.

 

[RustyRatRod]

Interesting, I guess I assumed the pre-dished pistons were all the same.

They sure aren't. I found out live and in person about 1994 I guess. I had a 360 already to go in my 71 Dart. A friend who owned a salvage yard at that time knew I was a Mopar guy and called me to come get another one. That was a 71 engine. The later engine I already had was like .160 in the hole at TDC. The 71 was like .045 in the hole. That beeotch would set it on fire for what it was when I got done with it. lol

 

[sccachallenger]

Wonder what out-of-the box piston is closest to those '71s?

 

[lemondana]

That's because it probably had a Thermoquad on, Right?

Since

I had a 72 Charger Rallye 400 Magnum, 71,*** miles bone stock EVERYTHING except a 3.91 gear. It had been rode hard and put away wet before I got it. When someone tells me that the 400 were slugs, I always tell them that they never rode in the one I had. It was one tire shredding S O B!

 

[RustyRatRod]

Wonder what out-of-the box piston is closest to those '71s?

None. You'd have to find one and get a custom copy.

 

[Dartswinger70]

Me thinks talking about the 383 in the A body GTS vs any 340-360 would be the discussion. Me thinks the 383 was heavier and dint really perform any better in that particular a body. But I am not 100%., plus add in that the 383 didnt have power steering etc the trade off wasn't worth it. Speaking in terms of a street car.

the suspense was killing me so I did a quick google:

67 dart GTS 383 1/4 mile time 14.9 at 93 MPH.
68 dart GTS 340 1/4 Mile time 14.8 at 94 MPH.

Bot were 4 speed cars. I wanted to make sure I wasn't posting BS

Website is called Automobile-Catalog the Catalog of Cars, Car Specs Database

 

[rumblefish360]

Taking into account the weight differences of each engine in the same car, the power differences are not huge and the gains will be small. The B engine will always win. Even with the weight penalty.

 

[pishta]

Me thinks talking about the 383 in the A body GTS vs any 340-360 would be the discussion. Me thinks the 383 was heavier and dint really perform any better in that particular a body. But I am not 100%., plus add in that the 383 didnt have power steering etc the trade off wasnt worth it.

That's exactly the point. Add headers (if you can fit them) to either and run the numbers. The 383 will pick up some without that crappy pinched manifold but you still have the weight penalty. That was base of discussion. Trying to get them both on same level minus obvious differences. Iron intakes and all.

 

[Dartswinger70]

Taking into account the weight differences of each engine in the same car, the power differences are not huge and the gains will be small. The B engine will always win. Even with the weight penalty.

I can agree purely in the terms of "racing" In a street car id probably go with the LA engine. You don't need power accessories cruising the 1/4 mile,and again in terms of A body. I had a B Body Coronet 500 back in the day with a 318. it was a nice car, and I would have liked it more with a 383 -440.

i do know big block people back in the day who wouldn't even play around with the LA engine. I had a friend who would call me and say "hey want this 360? come over here and get it out of my garage..."

 

[pishta]

None. You'd have to find one and get a custom copy.

Running the numbers on that particular piston fit would be in the ballpark of a 1.642 compression height. Of course thats on a blueprints block with a deck height of 9.600. Speedpro SLP-H116s are close, shy of that at 1.660. Your deck height will vary.

 

[33IMP]

Did you mean 383 is standard engine in challenger r/t ?

I thought so, yes, but have since looked and was wrong.

It was the ‘71 and ‘72 Road Runner that I was thinking of, not the Challenger/Barracuda. 383 was the base motor and the 340 was an extra cost option.

At least in 1970, the standard engine in a challenger r/t was a 383, the 340 was an extra cost option, but then if you bought the 340, it was not an r/t. Challenger aficianado's know it as an A66. I have a friend who has had her A66 for at least thirty years. We havent seen a real A66, other than hers, at the spring or fall flings in a decade.