340 vs 383

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howco4

howco4

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Just finished welding in the qtr pnls on my 70 Dart and will be turning my attention to the engine. I presently have a tired 340, with a rebuilt 727, hooked to an 8 3/4 rearend. Having access to a 383, I'm at a decision crossroad as which route to take. What entails a 383 conversion, will I gain that much in torque and/or HP? Also, is their a big weight difference, affecting torsion bars, braking, and handling? Any experienced input would help. Tnx: Howard
 
I Am In The Middle Of A Sim. Conversion, Talk To Demon Seed He Gave Me A Bunch Of Good Info. Schumacher Conversion Kit For Motor Mounts, Tti Headers, New Tortion Bars, Aluminum Radiator (welded) Fab Up Some Radiator Mounts B.b Tranny, And Be Prepared To Buy A Lot Of Rear Tires.
Also Disk Brake Upgrade If You Dont Allready Have
 
I am a big block fan but just because I've had them for years and had lots of parts. The 340 is the attractive option with todays small block parts available. The lighter weight makes a much better handling street car with lots of bolt ons available to add any extra punch you want. I agree with Mike on this.

BD
 
I like big blocks because it is generally cheaper to make the same power, but when you start throwing a 340 into the mix against a 383 the lines blur real fast. It will certainly be cheaper to keep the 340.
 
Don't you know back in the good old days a 340 was better than a 383? Now thats when you could run 11+-1 compression but still I to would keep the 340. So its tired, with new pistions and a cam it won't be tired no more. Too much work to change everything but if you do forget the 383 and go 440 but I bet you be happy with a good running 340.
 
If you gotta rebuild both, the engine is a wash. both can be stroked, thr 340 to 416 and the 383 to 431 or 496. The big block route will require mounts, new trans, etc. The 340 obviously will be cheaper due to less add ons. I have a 383 in my duster. It runs good but i'm thinking about a stroker for it. If it was mine..... I'd do the stroked 340. 500 hp could be gotten easily on pump gas. How much more do you need?

don
 
dusterdon said:
If you gotta rebuild both, the engine is a wash. both can be stroked, thr 340 to 416 and the 383 to 431 or 496. The big block route will require mounts, new trans, etc. The 340 obviously will be cheaper due to less add ons. I have a 383 in my duster. It runs good but i'm thinking about a stroker for it. If it was mine..... I'd do the stroked 340. 500 hp could be gotten easily on pump gas. How much more do you need?

don
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I agree with dusterdon on this. Seeings you have a lot of sb parts already, but at the same time go for what you want. If opening the hood and seeing a bb under the hood does it for you (which is cool) then bite the bullet and change everthing. At the same time a 500 horse sb on pump gas is impressive also. So both are impressive, but if going to look at money or ease then take some time and study what would be the cheapest and easest way to go. Good luck.

Truth be known if the big block motor mounts were being produced for my early A before I found the 340 I would of went that route cause I was losing the \6 anyways. It was easier to go small block for me cause these cars were available with small blocks.

Lee
 
I'd build a 318 and slide it in there but that's just me :burnout: I'd rebuild the 340.....less stuff to change out and lighter.....
 
Well I have never been one to take the easy way out. The 383 is available for $150.00, so I suspect it will need a rebuild. I am on a budget, so will be doing the teardown myself and all machine work will be farmed out. A 340 stroker does sound tempting. I guess I'll go out in the garage today and sand off some more paint, while I do some logical thinking. With this hobby, that usually never happens.
Tnx for the good put: Howard (finally getting rid of our snow today, Renton Wa)
 
If you are going to do a rebuild either way I'd stay with the 340...your already $150 to the good that way.
 
One more question, and the one you really need to answer first. How fast do you want the car and how streetable?
 
demon seed said:
I ain't getting into this one again. :axe:
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Come on Demon - don't hold back now :lol:

Both have there pros and cons. In the end I think it "boils" down to whether you prefer SBs or BBs. Besides if your body has a BB - then you have to go stroker SB to "kick his A$$" :toothy7:
 
388dart said:
Come on Demon - don't hold back now :lol:

Both have there pros and cons. In the end I think it "boils" down to whether you prefer SBs or BBs. Besides if your body has a BB - then you have to go stroker SB to "kick his A$$" :toothy7:
Click to expand...

I get no respect from all you SB owners, but in the end the "dark side" will prevail. :angry4: :burnout:
 
I've been down this path, had a 318, put in a 383, 383 turned out to be junk (waste of $1200) and after adding up all the money I spent converting to the 383, I could have had a 500hp 360. So now I'm building a 300hp 360. :/
 
im a big fan of the 383 (having one and all) and i have driven both and i think that there was quite a bit of diff (both stock) but the amount of work to swap i would thing would be a pain unless someone is making conversion mounts!!
 
OK you SB guys we all know who rules the streets don't we... CUBIC INCHES!!!

Go with the 383, make it look stock but stroke it out to 496 and kick SB butt all the way down the street!!! LOL
 
Dorian said:
OK you SB guys we all know who rules the streets don't we... CUBIC INCHES!!!
Click to expand...
OK, this thread is funny. But in the end, I think ethier engine in stock displacement is fine. The big block can be made lighter and down to about a S/B's weight after headers and aluminum parts are thrown on.
Tq & HP should be a slight better than a 360 (I think) down low and mid with a advantage in HP up top. I'm just wondering if it is enuff to overcome the weight difference over the 340 in a similar build and part lightening. (Aluminum parts being the same, IE; heads intake headers etc....)
 
I've never had a car with a big block. My last two rods were sm blk 327, and 351 cleveland, (I realize I'm taking a chance revealing this info on a Mopar forum, but what the hey). I always been impressed when looking into an engine compartment that has a BB, but my best choice looks like the 340, with a mild to midrange buildup.

Howard
 
388dart said:
Come on Demon - don't hold back now :lol:

Both have there pros and cons. In the end I think it "boils" down to whether you prefer SBs or BBs. Besides if your buddy has a BB - then you have to go stroker SB to "kick his A$$" :toothy7:
Click to expand...

You're talkin about me... aren't you.

I'll concede your car is faster than mine...LOL

I will also say that if I was the guy who started the thread, I would build a 340 over the 383. A 340 is mean little motor. In stock form , a 340 swinger would eat 383 runner's all day long (I realize there is a weight difference there)

I am a big block guy, and I'll even ad that I like B engines, but I would NOT pull a 340 from an A body to replace it with a 383. Not worth the work, if both need a build.

HOWEVER......If it was a 318 , then the choice would be obvious
LOLOLOLOL ROTFLMAO
 
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