"High Performance" VIN ID

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mickey_bigdaddy

mickey_bigdaddy

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What does HIGH PERFORMANCE mean for the 5th VIN letter of "N" or "P" in the 2 different VIN tags? What is the difference in the motors?

1976 Dodge Charger VIN Decoder:
N - 400 1 - 4BBL 8 cylinder "B" engine
P - 400 1 - 4BBL 8 cylinder "B" engine (high performance)
 

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For rebuilder/core purposes, probably very little if anything--did you find a good used 400?
 
Here's something that I found posted on another forum for what it's worth:


Chrysler built 3 versions of the 400 for the 76 Cordoba.

A 2 barrel model had 175 HP and 300 ft lbs Torque.

A 4 barrel model with lean burn was 210 HP & 305 Torque.

A 4 barrel model with factory dual exhaust had 240 HP & 325 Torque.

All had 8.2 compression ratio, 4.34 inch bore and 3.38 inch stroke. The 400 was introduced in 1972 as a replacement for the 383 which had been around since 1959.


https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070430234455AAdBXxV


So, I would guess that the N was a lean burn 4 bbl, and the P was the non lean burn 4 bbl with dual exhaust.
 
txstang84 said:
For rebuilder/core purposes, probably very little if anything--did you find a good used 400?
Click to expand...

I get that. But, what did Chrysler mean when they did this? It has to mean something. I think it has to do with the heads but not so sure.

Yea, got the whole drivetrain. 400 HiPer "P" model, 727 3 speed, 9-1/4" sure grip. Gonna do fit & mount check. Then going to go to body shop. It will NOT be a 2 yr. project.
 
krazykuda said:
Here's something that I found posted on another forum for what it's worth:


Chrysler built 3 versions of the 400 for the 76 Cordoba.

A 2 barrel model had 175 HP and 300 ft lbs Torque.

A 4 barrel model with lean burn was 210 HP & 305 Torque.

A 4 barrel model with factory dual exhaust had 240 HP & 325 Torque.

All had 8.2 compression ratio, 4.34 inch bore and 3.38 inch stroke. The 400 was introduced in 1972 as a replacement for the 383 which had been around since 1959.


https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070430234455AAdBXxV


So, I would guess that the N was a lean burn 4 bbl, and the P was the non lean burn 4 bbl with dual exhaust.
Click to expand...

Good stuff. I looked and looked for something on this. Not much on the HIGH PERFORMANCE versions of the 340, 400, or 440. They all had that option over the years.
 
Found this for 1974 @ MyMopar:

V8-400 2-bbl 4.34 x 3.38 8.2:1 185 hp @ 4000 315 torq @ 2400
V8-400 4-bbl 4.34 x 3.38 8.2:1 205 hp @ 4400 310 torq @ 2400
V8-400 4-bbl 4.34 x 3.38 8.2:1 250 hp @ 4800 330 torq @ 3400
 
Generally speaking, by that time the HP engines go more cam and maybe better exhaust manifolds. Curve in the distributor may have also been different.
 
pessimistic regarding the 400 I am. I hope it proves me wrong!
I have a 77' with all the police options, and 400 four barrel. Basically the non lean burn had dual exhaust and no lean burn, and more power, TQ9054, @ 240HP according to the Chrysler book. The N code was the lean burn single exhaust.The 77' lean burn sucked, at 190HP, TQ9064, and TQ9097 in the Town and country. There was no difference otherwise that I can see.By 1977 the Dual exhaust option was gone. The lean burn showed up mostly in California first. Which is why the yearly production numbers don't jive. California engines sucked period, and they bled over to the other 48 states. They had the same compression ratio, and cam. in reality these engines could hardly find 7:7.1 actual compression. I'm tossing that junk out. I am Installing the hardened seat 67' closed chamber 915 heads, and Edelbrock aluminum Intake, RV cam. Reliable AFB carb. &)' roadrunner dual exhaust, and electronic ignition. My Brothers ran like a raped ape after these changes. I have the 9 1/4 3:21 limited slip, heavy duty tow pkg, heavy duty transmission, with heavy springs, 11" brakes. Trans cooler and P.S. cooler. if I'm not happy, a 67' HP 440 will wind up in the Cordoba. it is a great car!

Just my view of a potentially great 70's B body!
 
Yeah, good possibility.

Earthmover managed to find a used 400 with pistons only .042" it the hole. I think we calculated his approx. CR @ ~9:1. That being said, if mickey can get about 8:1, a good cam, and some prepped heads, it'll run well and run on the lowest pump octane available.
 
I f you want to rebuild a b engine it doesnt get any better than a 400. Big bore, stronger main webbing than a 440 or 383. Wish I could find a few cheap around here.
 
I paid $500 for the 400 motor plus the whole drivetrain. I know that's a lot but, that would be $1200+ in Dallas! I've paid a lot more for only engines over there.

I might try to fire this one off before I take it apart, just to see what it does. Will keep you guys posted.
 
I have a second 400 on the stand, dated 1972. I don't know anything about it, but I may take it apart to determine what it is. It has a forged crank, with 906 heads and a 70 Roadrunner Intake on it. It has been in storage for 20+ years. I don't have the time right now to pull the original 400, but if I do I will probably check out the engine on the stand. it could be something Interesting. I will keep everybody posted!
 
Did you say you got the whole drivetrain for $500?? That's not too much at all IMHO...if the engine ran up to when you pulled it, and the trans/rear are good, that's not a bad deal at all.

Depending on how long it was sitting and how it was treated, it may be perfectly fine to toss on some new gaskets for the pan, covers, and intake, and press on! Although I'll put in a shameless plug to use a better intake and a little more cam ;) 8)

mopar, by all means-start up a new thread-we'll read it :)
 
...I still think you got a pretty good deal. I totally dig you're on a budget...I'm broke as hell, so I can't buy any parts right now...and probably won't for a year or more. Being stingy has it's advantages...
 
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