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

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Having owned and driven, as daily drivers, A bodies from a hot 170 slant six to an original 383 Formula S. Including 225's, 273's, 318's, 340's, and 360's. I can tell you there is no way a low compression HP 360 could compete with the 383 Formula S. When driving them, they are all different. You can not look at numbers in a book, let alone the internet, and get the same appreciation. Just like a 273 Commando and a 2 barrel 318. The published HP is about the same, but there is no comparison. The 318 does not have a chance. Once you add all the good stuff, the differences becomes smaller.
 
Dartswinger70 said:
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
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Me thinks if that's all they ran, me thinks my 2.76 geared Duster with stock converter automatic and my low dollar (498 bucks into a 318 2bbl) 318 beats both of them! Me thinks ditch the 360/383, go 318! :thumbsup:
 
318willrun said:
Me thinks if that's all they ran, me thinks my 2.76 geared Duster with stock converter automatic and my low dollar (498 bucks into a 318 2bbl) 318 beats both of them! Me thinks ditch the 360/383, go 318! :thumbsup:
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Me thinks I put a set of fenderwell Hooker's on the 383 S Barracuda and smoke all the 318, 340 and 360 A- bodies. lol :lol:
 
pishta said:
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.
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Yeah I wouldn't be skeered to zero deck that bad boy.
 
Why is everybody pullin up 68-70 for the 383? But then talkin about the E58 360 that was only available years later?

In that case go back to the early 60s and include the 383 dual quad engine that beat the **** out of all comers in Stock Eliminator. The 360 ain't gotta snowball's chance in hell. What's good for the goose is good for the gander.
 
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fishmens67 said:
Me thinks I put a set of fenderwell Hooker's on the 383 S Barracuda and smoke all the 318, 340 and 360 A- bodies. lol :lol:
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Well, I just feel really good tonight knowing that my 318 will run with Big block and 340 Darts even spotting them better gears. :D
 
RustyRatRod said:
Why is everybody pullin up 68-70 for the 383? But then talkin about the E58 360 that was only available years later?

In that case go back to the early 60s and include the 383 dual quad engine that beat the **** out of all comers in Stock Eliminator. The 360 ain't gotta snowball's chance in hell. What's good for the goose is good for the gander.
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Wasn't that a RB? And if we are speaking RB's with 2-4's should we consider the little 426 hemi? lol
 
why not compromise and put a small block chevy 383 in it?


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Sorry, I have built too many SBC motors in my life. Absolutely Junk motors. Good for race cars, don't have to last long and easily replaceable. Why is there a huge market for Chevy parts? They break all the time. You could not give me one.
 
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greymouser7 said:
Look at the power the sbc made, low hanging fruit for a 360.
Both restricted by crap heads-I think the Mopar is open chamber and piston deeper in the hole-wouldn't that make all the difference?
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My man! LMAO! You are awesome!

The Dulchich (sp?) 383 was rebuilt and had good slugs at/near zero deck. The heads on the build were factory iron on both in an attempt to level the field. For sure! That well over bored 383 - 400+ (?) would do very well with an aftermarket cylinder head. *I Think* that very engine later appeared in the “Crop Duster” with Edelbrock heads and ran in the 11’s.
 
This is a dangerous thread for me to read right now. If I come across a 383 or 400 right now, I may very well pull the 360 off the stand, sell everything I've accumulated thus far for it, and start over.... :realcrazy::lol:
 
Garrett Ellison said:
This is a dangerous thread for me to read right now. If I come across a 383 or 400 right now, I may very well pull the 360 off the stand, sell everything I've accumulated thus far for it, and start over.... :realcrazy::lol:
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Drive down and buy my 400.
 
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