408 vs. 440: Which Would You Choose?

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stroked340 said:
You don't even need to "stroke" the smallblock a properly built 360 will whoop *** on most bigblocks:D:D
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True enough , I keep up to most big locks and beat many , and that is with a mild 340 .
But nothing beats the feel of a big block , it's a different feeling than a small block
 
jerry6 said:
True enough , I keep up to most big locks and beat many , and that is with a mild 340 .
But nothing beats the feel of a big block , it's a different feeling than a small block
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you take any small block vs a 440 and do the same performance upgrades and the small block comes up short every time. sure you can build a small block to beat a big block but it takes more for the small block. everyone has there preference.
 
Another vote for 408! I like the plug and play aspect of it. There's no need to cut up a good car when BB power can be had in the original SB configuration.
 
Just out of a curiosity, how does a souped up 440ci small block with great air flow and equal compression compare? The small block has more stroke-doesn't that help with street-ability in regards to equal output?

What's his face ({BPE/BME??} am blanking out, asparatame? CRS?) sells the 4.125 or 4.25 cranks for the same price as the forged 4 inch cranks.

What about 440ci SBM? Is it really so unattainable?

I don't think we can get the over-bore from a magnum blocks, people have over-bored 340's & 360's a hundred thousandth's...

RAM says he doesn't like the 4.25 ?rod ratio's?? Wear on the bore??

Is this the anchilles' heel answer to my question?
 
Whichever motor you pick, install a set of twin turbos and you'll have all the fun you can handle (though a 408 will give you more room to work with).
And if a 408 or 440 isn't big enough for you, drop in 572 Hemi with twin turbos :twisted:

P.S. Twin Turbos!!!!
 
jbc426 said:
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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...That 'cuda, what are the specs on wheels tires and offsets? Particularly in the front.

Thanks,
 
younggun2.0 said:
it only takes a very very mild 440 to get you into the 11's. I bet you could build a stock bottom end 440 with mid range forged off the shelf piston for allot less then the 408 bottom end. it takes nothing to make 425-450 hp with a 440.


stock bottom end rebuild with 9.5:1 pistons
comp cams 294s cam
stock 906 heads with decent valve job (bowl blend would be nice)
performer rpm intake
750 carb
1 3/4 + primary tube headers
3:55-3.91 rear gear
3500+ stall converter

done deal.
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I had almost exactly that in a 3,500 Lb. Dodge Coronet, 2 Dr. Post Car and it ran in the low 12s. I drove it on the street, almost daily, in the summer.
 

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How is the handling with that BB in an A-body driving in everyday reality. Not just going straight.
 
so subjective a subject - so not going to answer directly - my car is a 408 and I love it! you gotta do what you gotta do... good luck.
 
RPMagoo said:
I had almost exactly that in a 3,500 Lb. Dodge Coronet, 2 Dr. Post Car and it ran in the low 12s. I drove it on the street, almost daily, in the summer.
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Sweet 65 Coronet, my grandpa gave me one to drive when I was a kid I loved that ride, until I wrecked it.
 
Just out of a curiosity, how does a souped up 440ci small block with great air flow and equal compression compare? The small block has more stroke-doesn't that help with street-ability in regards to equal output?

What's his face ({BPE/BME??} am blanking out, asparatame? CRS?) sells the 4.125 or 4.25 cranks for the same price as the forged 4 inch cranks.

What about 440ci SBM? Is it really so unattainable?

I don't think we can get the over-bore from a magnum blocks, people have over-bored 340's & 360's a hundred thousandth's...

RAM says he doesn't like the 4.25 ?rod ratio's?? Wear on the bore??

Is this the anchilles' heel answer to my question?
 
Don't see one advantage of running 408 over 440
 
greymouser7 said:
Just out of a curiosity, how does a souped up 440ci small block with great air flow and equal compression compare? The small block has more stroke-doesn't that help with street-ability in regards to equal output?

What's his face ({BPE/BME??} am blanking out, asparatame? CRS?) sells the 4.125 or 4.25 cranks for the same price as the forged 4 inch cranks.

What about 440ci SBM? Is it really so unattainable?

I don't think we can get the over-bore from a magnum blocks, people have over-bored 340's & 360's a hundred thousandth's...

RAM says he doesn't like the 4.25 ?rod ratio's?? Wear on the bore??


Is this the anchilles' heel answer to my question?
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No, you just have a way of asking questions that the answers really don't matter worth a hill of beans.

WTF difference does it make? Just pick an engine and have fun. Everything else here is bench racin and bullshit so people can think they know somethin.
 
My first recommendation is to sell all your parts! Make as much $ as you can. Sell off everything you can. Purchase a R3 siamese block. 4.25 stroke x 4.18 bore you get 440 cu. in. Doesn't matter who's heads, they need to flow 300 cfm. intake.. Cam in the 250's @.050 with around .525 lift. Awesome Power. Awesome Torque. And it all fits!!!!
 
Looking at the overall costs - the 408/4sp will be cheaper by the time it's all in the car and running. The AC fits easier, small block trans and bell and swap stuff is cheaper, mounts are easy to get, more room to work, lighter...
The 408 has 1/4" more stroke than the 440. That means it has the capacity to make more torque than the 440 would at a lower rpm.
Any engine can be built to any level. A 408 with forged pistons, stock rods, a cast (not eagle) crank, & properly done iron heads will run around 6500 depending on what you have and can score. That has the potential to make 500+tq under 3500 on pump swill.
 
A 4" stroke does have more multiplying ability than lesser strokes, But no one ever takes in account of piston size. A 440 has more cid and more potential power (fuel/air) per stroke and more piston surface area so there gonna be more psi being multiplied.
Engines of same displacement but different bore to stroke ratio eg.. RB & B 383's have the same torque ability at any given rpm give or take. And the larger engine like the 440 will always be able to make more power at every rpm than a longer stroke smaller engine plus better power potential cause of the better bore stroke and rod ratios (higher rpm ceiling and less friction and better breathing).
 
Had the stock stroke 400 been an option, I would have chosen it. They are excellent street engines. As is Non stroked.
 
Engines of same displacement but different bore to stroke ratio eg.. RB & B 383's have the same torque ability at any given rpm give or take. And the larger engine like the 440 will always be able to make more power at every rpm than a longer stroke smaller engine plus better power potential cause of the better bore stroke and rod ratios (higher rpm ceiling and less friction and better breathing).[/QUOTE]
 
I vote 408, SB is lite, and fits easy. Thats what I would do... to save weight and headaches...

it amazing what a little technology will do in these old cars.

JOE
 
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