392 swap vs 340/416 build

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The Gen3s are great engines, but are not without their problems and weaknesses. I had started my build with a 440-6 when the Gen3s came out. I especially fell in love with the 6.1 SRT-8s. I got rid of the 440 and bought a Gen3 crate engine. I intended to do minimal if not no cutting on my no-rust, really clean '69 Cuda. Was going to keep it clean, simple and minimal cost.

Despite what some will tell you, if you want to do the job right, with everything fitting like it would if it were a 416, no rubbing; vibrations; rattles; dented header tubes, etc. etc. it's going to take you a lot of time and considerable money. If you're OK with a "project" car that you can't drive for years, a Gen3 IS a really nice engine, except for it's short falls. If you want to build and engine, drop it in a drive it, stay with you 416 build.

While I am looking forward to finishing my car and enjoying it someday (I'm building it to look and drive like it was factory engineered to be there) I would have to seriously re-considered my original decision to go Gen3. If I had stuck with my original plan, I would have been driving it for the last 5 years or more.
 
Hellcat Cuda said:
The Gen3s are great engines, but are not without their problems and weaknesses. I had started my build with a 440-6 when the Gen3s came out. I especially fell in love with the 6.1 SRT-8s. I got rid of the 440 and bought a Gen3 crate engine. I intended to do minimal if not no cutting on my no-rust, really clean '69 Cuda. Was going to keep it clean, simple and minimal cost.

Despite what some will tell you, if you want to do the job right, with everything fitting like it would if it were a 416, no rubbing; vibrations; rattles; dented header tubes, etc. etc. it's going to take you a lot of time and considerable money. If you're OK with a "project" car that you can't drive for years, a Gen3 IS a really nice engine, except for it's short falls. If you want to build and engine, drop it in a drive it, stay with you 416 build.

While I am looking forward to finishing my car and enjoying it someday (I'm building it to look and drive like it was factory engineered to be there) I would have to seriously re-considered my original decision to go Gen3. If I had stuck with my original plan, I would have been driving it for the last 5 years or more.
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I'm not gonna red x your post, but, I couldn't disagree more. TTI headers DO FIT without denting. I've had the two inch primary in a 74 Swinger, no issues. Fast forward 5 years. Scored a deal on new never installed 1 3/4 tube set. Installed on 73 Scamp, no issues. Yes, there are some slight mods to keep factory k and column. Now, I did use a 727 and 904 respectively. OP wants a 6 speed. Yes, will take some surgery. Cars can and will get done quicker if you don't keep changing your mind on which gen 3 you're gonna use.:poke:
 
this swap is becoming a everyday thing now. parts are more available etc.
the only one that can make this happen is you, not all of us this website. you need to see what you want to do with the car. I did the swap because i was tired of $9 per gallon for race gas and the constant up keep on the motor, then it breaking. I want to enjoy the car i have so much time invested in. its running good not perfect but its getting there. I put 89 miles on this month, that is more than i have put on it in the last 10 years racing it.

just an fyi collect as much parts as you can still drive in its current state and then do the swap, it wont drag on so long.

for what its worth just my two cents. oh and yes i would do this a million times over again.
 
Kiddart1 said:
this swap is becoming a everyday thing now. parts are more available etc.
the only one that can make this happen is you, not all of us this website. you need to see what you want to do with the car. I did the swap because i was tired of $9 per gallon for race gas and the constant up keep on the motor, then it breaking. I want to enjoy the car i have so much time invested in. its running good not perfect but its getting there. I put 89 miles on this month, that is more than i have put on it in the last 10 years racing it.

just an fyi collect as much parts as you can still drive in its current state and then do the swap, it wont drag on so long.

for what its worth just my two cents. oh and yes i would do this a million times over again.
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I appreciate the feedback. That was my exact plan, run the 340 as is and begin getting all the parts together.

Next question for this group... are there any specific years or versions of the 392 to consider? I know at some point the HP increased from 475 to 485 but wasnt sure if a certain year had issues or not
 
in my honest opinion get the newest your budget will allow. match that to the hardware you are looking at. so many good avenues to go. I went super simple just to say i had a junkyard gen 3 that runs like a raped ape!!! and gets great mileage. oh and its on e85 as well
 
Kiddart1 said:
in my honest opinion get the newest your budget will allow. match that to the hardware you are looking at. so many good avenues to go. I went super simple just to say i had a junkyard gen 3 that runs like a raped ape!!! and gets great mileage. oh and its on e85 as well
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Noted. I appreciate everyone's insight and opinions on this one. I reiterates my initial thoughts and helps clear my.
long term plan.
 
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