Is the 383 a better engine, or does the 440 just have more displacement?

RustyRatRod said
Guys slobbering all over the stroker knob have probably never seen a real ground shakin 383 do what it can do.

Have 100 less hp?

I'm not saying a 383 can't run but if you ever looked at the bottom of a 4.25" bore with 2.14/1.81 valves compared to a 400 block you will quickly see why the 383 has been set aside for stock type builds and restorations. The hopped up 383 is like Foghat. It went out of style in 1978 but it's still on tour lol.

Bewy said
TM Mike,
Post 51. Often wondered the same thing. The BB Chrys has a skirted block, head bolts away from the bores for minimal distortion, shaft rockers, etc,
All the ingredients to build a high rpm engine that could take on the 350 Chebby, with some added features that the 350 doesn't have.

The bore and stroke are for the most part arbitrary when comparing these two engines considering the BBM has a 15 degree valve angle and the SBC 23. That is where the power is going to be made up.