Found this 383, worth it for my 65?

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Shaun65dart

Shaun65dart

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So my 65 GT has the slant six and automatic. I will be converting to v8 at some point. I’m very new to mopars and have been reading as much as I can. I came across this 383 for sale. From what I’ve read, it can fit, but it’s tight. What are your guys thoughts about this exact engine going in my 65? Or should I look for a 318 340 360 instead?

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Your choice. I wouldn't. Those cars ever had a big block in them. You would be better off with good running small block.
 
You will have to build the front suspension to handle the weight difference, (i.e. torsion bars, disc brakes, etc.) it's doable but like TMM said you'll be better served with a healthy small block.
 
I'd stick with a small block since you're new to Mopars. There's quite a bit to consider when dropping a big block into an early A as opposed to a small block. Make it easy and it'll be drivable sooner. Just my two cents.
 
Thanks for those replies and steering me in the right direction. As for small block, what’s a good choice? 318/340/360 I see some people mention magnum? I would be wanting around 400-450 horse. I’ve built Chevy and ford engine, strokers and what not but never a Mopar engine. What best to look for and what should I stay away from?
 
My previous car was a 63 Ford Fairlane coupe. I did a shock tower and coilover suspension conversion on the front end. Built a 347 roller cam stroker. I’m not afraid to dive into the dart with sheet metal fabrication or anything like that, I just haven’t been around the Mopar world haha
 
The earlier A-bodies are tighter and never came with a big block. With an early A (and i've built 3 BB darts) I'd run a small block.
 
A 408 or 416 stroker is the best bang for the buck for 450 hp, they are based on a 340 block. I’m sure you could do any 318/340/360 and get decent horsepower, but 450 isn’t easy to get out of a 318.

not an early A body, but this is my brothers car with a 416, running low 11’s. It’s a beast on the track, and is totally street worthy as well.

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I’d do an early 318 la. The money you save between that and a 340,360 or a stroker can be spent on aluminum heads,intake and water pump. And don’t forget other aluminum components like master cylinder and such. You will end up with 400 plus hp engine with the same weight as a /6.
 
Another option would be an eBay 360 la roller short block and add all the aluminum goodies to it for the weight reduction. This would get you out of the machine shop expense but still give you a custom build with bolt Ons and cam of your choice.
 
cosgig said:
A 408 or 416 stroker is the best bang for the buck for 450 hp, they are based on a 340 block. I’m sure you could do any 318/340/360 and get decent horsepower, but 450 isn’t easy to get out of a 318.

not an early A body, but this is my brothers car with a 416, running low 11’s. It’s a beast on the track, and is totally street worthy as well.

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Sure is a pretty dart!
 
Shaun65dart said:
Thanks for those replies and steering me in the right direction. As for small block, what’s a good choice? 318/340/360 I see some people mention magnum? I would be wanting around 400-450 horse. I’ve built Chevy and ford engine, strokers and what not but never a Mopar engine. What best to look for and what should I stay away from?
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Considering your location, you should have NO problem finding a usable 360LA or 5.9 for a couple hundred bucks, easy. If I were you, I'd either try to find a roller 360 LA motor, or a good used 5.9. Both of those should be fuel injected and would likely have great cylinder bores to start with. At that point, you could maybe get away with a simple re-ring and bearing 'rebuild.' Slap in a decent cam and a good set of cylinder heads, and you're at your goal, easy.

Shaun65dart said:
My previous car was a 63 Ford Fairlane coupe. I did a shock tower and coilover suspension conversion on the front end. Built a 347 roller cam stroker. I’m not afraid to dive into the dart with sheet metal fabrication or anything like that, I just haven’t been around the Mopar world haha
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If you're into doing that type of work, the big block conversion may be worth looking into. It ultimately depends what you're going for and how you want to get there. If 400-450hp is your only goal, small block wins everyday of the week. If you want something unique and don't mind the extra headaches that come along with it, dare to be different and go big block.
 
Do it. It'll be different a prove all the naysayers wrong. Ask @abodyjoe about his. He had a 64 with a 440 and it handled great. I tagged him so maybe he'll come in and tell you all about it.
 
Id go 5.9 over any LA today. Better heads, oil pan gaskets, roller cams, serpentine belts...cheaper than the LAs of today. 360/5.9 would be a better stroker candidate as they are 1/3 the price of any 340 today.
 
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ain't nothing like a big block in an abody.. and really nothing like a big block in an early abody..

really not that hard of a swap.. personally i thought the 440 was easier then the small block to work on in my 64 valiant..... headers are the biggest issue.. had mine custom made. expensive..

at the time i built it more for the street/ drag strip so i did go big bolt disc and 8 3/4 with large bolt pattern axles and 11" drums.. i only went with 383 bar and that thing drove very well on the street.. hell now with 1" plus bars it could be even better.. my motor except for the intake was all iron. some alum heads and all it would be even better...

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Have to ask, daily driver, street strip car, cruiser, long road trips? Given one of those mentioned may determine what engine/trans you want to run
 
Small block! Even with a small block there are challenges, but once it's in, it's all good. A big block can be defeating, especially if you aren't real experienced. Don't sabotage yourself. In the end, I think you will be much happier with a small block.
 
Shaun65dart said:
So my 65 GT has the slant six and automatic. I will be converting to v8 at some point. I’m very new to mopars and have been reading as much as I can. I came across this 383 for sale. From what I’ve read, it can fit, but it’s tight. What are your guys thoughts about this exact engine going in my 65? Or should I look for a 318 340 360 instead?

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Big blocks in early a-bodies are nose heavy they don't handle well I would stick with a potent small block that's just me
 
I had a 63 dart and a 392. Was going to marry em. Motor got stolen. I was young then, and stuff was still cheap, kinda... I can only imagine the curse words we'd have had flying to get that done...
 
My 1965 B-Cuda had a HP 383 when I bought it in 1986. It was nose heavy and the steering shaft was into the left ex manifold and would lock the steering when torqued up. Could not afford "Stan's" headers so had to work with 383 logs.

Changing spark plugs was HARD, remove the left motor mount and jack the engine up. Right side was a little better. Had to use a MODIFIED 13/16's box end wrench on most plugs.

Small engine compartment meant no air flow out so even using a bigger radiator, DC P part 5 blade clutch fan, Water Wetter, and every trick at the time it over heated.

It was fast in a straight line but had to slow way down to corner.

Big Block 727 bellhousing hit the firewall and required a massive bashing in the floor. Even then it was tight.

After 15 years fighting this, yanked the 383 and put in in my Pickup, NEVER over heated even pulling a heavy trailer.... Got a 360 and built it. B-Cuda was now faster and could corner too.

So, my opinion having been there, looking for 425 HP, I'd do a 5.9/360 hybrid stroker. The chassis was made for the Slant 6 and a 273.
Put 10 each 273 long block's next to 10 each 5.9 long block's (no manifolds or valve covers) and back off 20 feet, any Chevy guy will never guess which is which.
 
Demonracer said:
You will have to build the front suspension to handle the weight difference, (i.e. torsion bars, disc brakes, etc.) it's doable but like TMM said you'll be better served with a healthy small block.
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You can lose a lot of weight with just aluminum heads, intake and headers.

Do a search for Put your Big Block Dart on a diet or something like that.
 
ch1ll said:
I’d do an early 318 la. The money you save between that and a 340,360 or a stroker can be spent on aluminum heads,intake and water pump. And don’t forget other aluminum components like master cylinder and such. You will end up with 400 plus hp engine with the same weight as a /6.
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He can get either a magnum or LA pretty cheap on craigslist. I went with a roller LA360. I think I paid $150 or $250 for it.
 
Ottmundr said:
You can lose a lot of weight with just aluminum heads, intake and headers.

Do a search for Put your Big Block Dart on a diet or something like that.
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Big Block on a diet, on my sons 74 D200's 1968 383 we gained 1+ inch of height at the front bumper. We went with Eldy Performer aluminum heads, Mancini aluminum water pump housing, Mancini aluminum water pump, Eldy Manifold.
It can be done. But then we put the B Van lower arms on to drop the front down 4 inches.
 
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