Opinions wanted: 408/416 Stroker or 440?

WSUTARD said
I would like to get the opinions of people who have dealt with a 340 stroker (408-416) and a 440. Looking for pros and cons if you have experience with both.

I am considering doing my first engine build this winter and trying to decide between the two.

Currently I have a 68 340 with X heads out of a Dart GTS sitting in my 69 Coronet. I would use this block to make the stroker. It has already been built up a little with a 268 Comp Cam and KB forged pistons.

For the 440 I would have to start from scratch.

My goal is +500hp and torque. I 100% street drive right now but wouldn’t be opposed to doing some drags in the future with one of these engines.

I have a 23 spline 833 4 speed connected to a fresh 8 3/4 rear with 4:10.

My radiator is a 26” newly rebuilt with three cores.

Cost will be an issue as I haven’t yet figured out how to grow money on my trees. I figure the stroker would be cheaper but if I did the 440 I could sell the 340.

Tell me what I don’t know.

The

WSUTARD said
I would like to get the opinions of people who have dealt with a 340 stroker (408-416) and a 440. Looking for pros and cons if you have experience with both.

I am considering doing my first engine build this winter and trying to decide between the two.

Currently I have a 68 340 with X heads out of a Dart GTS sitting in my 69 Coronet. I would use this block to make the stroker. It has already been built up a little with a 268 Comp Cam and KB forged pistons.

For the 440 I would have to start from scratch.

My goal is +500hp and torque. I 100% street drive right now but wouldn’t be opposed to doing some drags in the future with one of these engines.

I have a 23 spline 833 4 speed connected to a fresh 8 3/4 rear with 4:10.

My radiator is a 26” newly rebuilt with three cores.

Cost will be an issue as I haven’t yet figured out how to grow money on my trees. I figure the stroker would be cheaper but if I did the 440 I could sell the 340.

Tell me what I don’t know.

A big block in A body is a whole lot of fun but there are many issues involved if you’re planning on running the big block with B body H P exhaust manifolds it will be a credit card fit between the shock tower and the exhaust manifold , it’s a tight fit with any exhaust manifolds or headers for that matter , and if you’re using the Edelbrock RPM intake manifold The clearance when you close your hood will be minimal if you’re not running a hood scoop . You will definitely have over heating issues with the 440 in a A body , to fix that problem I made a larger opening on the RaDiator support and ran a be cool Hemi big block A body system with two fans it comes as a complete kit around $1500 works like a charm . That whole system was in a 68 Plymouth valiant I now have a new build My 1971 Dodge dart definitely going with the 408 small block hoping to get somewhere around 500 horse power If I had to do it all over again I would definitely Go with the 408