383 or 440?

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jwatkins

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I have semi torn down 1970 383 hp motor with1967 closed chamber heads and purpleshaft cam duration unknown.I also have a low mileage 1970's winnebago 440 motor turn key ready to drop in.The tranny is a 727 with a 3000 stall and a stage II shift kit .The rear end is a 456 gear 8 3/4 and it attached to a 1970 duster.The dilemma is witch motor should i choose considering the combo listed .I am leaning towards the 440 out of conveniance because it is ready to go but how will it perform?I want it to go pretty good..........any suggestions?
 
Is the 383 worn out? I like the higher compression and shorter stroke of the 383 but if the 440 is in better condition go with it.
 
I would build the 383 personally, that's what I'm working on right now. A well built 383 will rev like a small block and torque like a big block.
 
the torque of the longer stroke 440 will walk away from the 383 every day.....4.56 is alot of gear for 440 unless you have some tall tires..
 
The 383 is not worn out and it has 28inch mickeys on the back i was told their was no replacement for cubic displacement
 
I'm betting the turn key 440 will out perform a semi torn down 383. How did you get the 28" Mickeys to bolt to the back of that 383?
 
Is the 440 a cast crank externally balanced one? Make sure you have the correctly balanced converter if it is. My friend put a 7.5/1 compression 413 in his Dart, with stock 906 heads, .474 lift MP cam, M1 intake and big headers. It ran mid 12's the first trip to the track. I would cam the 440, and go with that, assuming it really is healthy. I have a 383 in my Barracuda, but I know how 440's pull.
 
high comp 383 vs. low compression 440

~ it's a wash ~

however, if i was going to invest time & money i'd put it into the 440. get some good kb pistons that take the compression up over 9.5:1. then it will be better than the 383 any day...

the only reason to put extra time/money into a 383 is if you have an original 383 car or need an extra 1/2 inch clearance under the hood (440 is about half an inch taller or something)
 
the problem with the 440 is that is that it has a cast crank and low comp. if you are not going to buy internals (crank,rods,pistons) then build the 383 it has a steel crank and is internally ballanced. the 440 is externally balanced and is prone to taking rod and main bearings out with higher rpms. the 383 will rev to 6500 the 440 about 4600 is all I would safely turn.
 
One other thing to consider is that the 383 is just that much easier to work on. That being said, I would run the 440, it is just a little tighter fit.
 
Put the 383 in and take your time to build a stroked 440.

Oh that's what I am doing.
 
A cammed HP 383 with headers and properly tuned will make over 400hp. In an A-body with 4.56's and 3,000 stall converter that should get down the track in a hurry. I would put that together and run it for now. If you want more build up the 440 and put it in later.
 
The 440 sounds like it would get you running quicker. The 383 would fit better.
 
they are both great engines but i have plans for a 383 supercharged demon cause i like rpms, andlike to be different, that why i like stock stroke stuff everyone likes stroker motors and they run great but you get stock stroke small cube motors like 340 and 383 to run like strokers and that is cool it all in what you want and will be happy with :D
 
You can make the same HP with ethier, 383 going be higher in the RPM ranger than the 440. The 440 gonna make more torque and need less rear end gear than the 383. I'd would put on the 383 heads on the 440 with a cam, intake and headers just don't go to big on the cam with the lower compression even though the closed chamber heads will bump it up a bit.
 
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