408 vs. 440: Which Would You Choose?

Howdy all,

I have an interesting choice I've been racking my brain on.

I've got a Demon I bought as a shell on a rotisserie which came with a lot of interior parts but no mechanical parts that came with the car.

My goal is to have a car I can drive semi-regularly (several times a week) with torque comparable to a stock 440 Magnum from the late 60s. I'd prefer not to run faster than mid-11s at the drag strip because I don't want to put a rollbar in the car.

I want a street Demon like the one forum member Demon Seed used to own, complete with Cragars. A nice looking street car.

Currently I have two engines and a transmissions:

1) '76 440 I pulled out of a junkyard - A low compression engine with a cast crank that will likely need a rebuild. Comes with 452 heads but I'd probably buy aftermarket aluminum heads.

I'd prefer a four-speed so if I go this route, I'll have to get an 833 with a big block bellhousing and all the manual transmission parts (pedals, zbar, etc.)

I'd eventually want to run a Hemi Overdrive kit from Passon. I could get it on the road faster if I find a 727 to run in the meantime while I gather 833 parts.

2) Complete 5.9L with 90k miles from a 2003 Ram. More-or-less a short block engine. I haven't checked the heads; they're likely cracked, so at the bare minimum I'm looking at adding heads, headers, an intake (have an LA intake already), a carb (have one I can use for now or on the 440) and a cam.

If I go this route, the engine will be around 400-425hp, but I'd ultimately want to build a torque monster 408 so I'd have to buy another 5.9L, stroke it, then transfer the heads, headers, etc. onto it. So basically the 360 would be temporary.

Again, I'd prefer a four-speed, so I'd still need an 833 with a small block bellhousing and all the manual transmission parts (pedals, zbar, etc.) Will also ultimately get an overdrive kit.

I do have a 904 in a '71 Dart that needs rebuilding that I can run in the meantime while I gather 833 parts.

I can also borrow other parts from the Dart but I don't want to borrow too much since I'd like to get the Dart on the road eventually as well.

With either engine, I'd adding subframe connectors to the car and I'm also going to have to buy a complete rear end so that's a moot point.

Which engine would you pick?