Rebuilding factory 383
#266395
03/25/09 08:48 PM
03/25/09 08:48 PM
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 583 San Antonio, TX
CurYellowBird
OP
mopar
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OP
mopar
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 583
San Antonio, TX
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I'm in the process of planning out the build on my 1971 Roadrunner. Has numbers matching 383 4 speed motor with all factory parts, minus the carter carb and aluminum radiator(previous owner swap). The question I'm pondering over is should I rebuild the numbers matching 383 motor and 4 speed, or put in a 440 with the additional 4 speed I have so the #'s matching drivetrain won't get worn out or damaged? Would like opinions on the pros and cons to both set ups as well.
Last edited by Pats71'; 03/30/09 11:49 PM.
Project War Bird:
1971 Plymouth Roadrunner
383 4 speed with air conditioning
GY3 Curious yellow
All original
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Re: 383 vs. 440
[Re: CurYellowBird]
#266396
03/25/09 08:53 PM
03/25/09 08:53 PM
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 982 W. Sacto CA. USA
phantomx
super stock
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super stock
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 982
W. Sacto CA. USA
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I don't see a reason to tuck the #s motor/trans away, unless you know you're gonna do something silly and hurt it bad. If you want a 440, go for it. It doesn't make sense to me to tuck away a B and put an RB in its place. Once it is up and running, there is enough difference in parts and fitment that I doubt the 383 would ever find its way back in. If you like the 383, build it and run it. Travis..
70 GTX project, orig 440-4, 4 spd, track pack, FC7, stripper/street racer special.
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Re: 383 vs. 440
[Re: CurYellowBird]
#266397
03/25/09 08:55 PM
03/25/09 08:55 PM
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,232 Someplace you aren't
SomeCarGuy
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,232
Someplace you aren't
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Depends on a few things
-do you already have a spare 383 to rebuild?
-do you care about MPG?
-is one easier to find locally or are you willing to drive to get one?
-do you already have any spare parts for the low deck, like a dizy or aftermarket intake?
I want my fair share
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Re: 383 vs. 440
[Re: SomeCarGuy]
#266398
03/25/09 09:01 PM
03/25/09 09:01 PM
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 583 San Antonio, TX
CurYellowBird
OP
mopar
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OP
mopar
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 583
San Antonio, TX
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As of right now I just have the factory 383 4 speed in the car, and the additional 4 speed. I have easy access to a lot of mopar parts and can find a 440 down here in south texas pretty easily. Just want some outside opinions of which motor is better and to stick with factory motor or go all out build on another motor.
Last edited by Pats71'; 03/25/09 09:04 PM.
Project War Bird:
1971 Plymouth Roadrunner
383 4 speed with air conditioning
GY3 Curious yellow
All original
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Re: 383 vs. 440
[Re: CurYellowBird]
#266399
03/25/09 09:02 PM
03/25/09 09:02 PM
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 982 W. Sacto CA. USA
phantomx
super stock
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super stock
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 982
W. Sacto CA. USA
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If you're worried about numbers, keep the 383. If you aren't looking to make a buck or don't care what people think, go with the 440 and hold the 383. Travis..
70 GTX project, orig 440-4, 4 spd, track pack, FC7, stripper/street racer special.
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Re: 383 vs. 440
[Re: HotRodDave]
#266404
03/25/09 09:19 PM
03/25/09 09:19 PM
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 583 San Antonio, TX
CurYellowBird
OP
mopar
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OP
mopar
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 583
San Antonio, TX
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No there is nothing wrong with the factory drivetrain whatsoever. The motor and entire car has 100,017 factory miles on it. The only thing we think may be an issue is possibly a burned valve, but other than that the motor starts up no problem. The car was parked in 1977 and has been garage kept ever since, which is what saved the car (no rust). Origionally sold in california, until second owner brought it to dallas and I'm the third owner down here in san antonio.
Last edited by Pats71'; 03/25/09 09:22 PM.
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Re: 383 vs. 440
[Re: quickd100]
#266406
03/25/09 09:40 PM
03/25/09 09:40 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 24,562 Brookeville, Md
Mr.Yuck
Not enough dumb comments...yet
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Not enough dumb comments...yet
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 24,562
Brookeville, Md
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Quote:
Rule # 1.....there's no replacement for displacement. Go big or go home. Dave
440-4 speed and top it off w/ a 6-pack. put the #'s matching stuff in a bag. If somebody tells you "it's not a #'s matching car, you can say "it can be in one weekend".
if you've never had a 440 get ready for some fun. I'm sure John will have something to say here pretty soon.
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Re: 383 vs. 440
[Re: Mr.Yuck]
#266407
03/25/09 09:58 PM
03/25/09 09:58 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,379 Houston,Tx.
Lee446
pro stock
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pro stock
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,379
Houston,Tx.
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I build my cars to drive them like they were intended, thrashed on! When I restore a numbers matching car like my 70 GTX, I keep the original engine and trans in the shop and build another so I wont have to worry about damage. I gaurantee, if you have to sell it, having the car with a built engine in it and including the original will not hurt its resale. It also depends on how fast you want to go, if a 13 second ride is good enough, you can get there with a lightly modified 383, if you want 11's or better, go with the 440. My .02 Lee.
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Re: 383 vs. 440
[Re: Triggerfish]
#266411
03/25/09 11:07 PM
03/25/09 11:07 PM
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,949 land of 10,000______'s
BDS871Cuda
top fuel
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top fuel
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,949
land of 10,000______'s
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I have to side with the (bag it) group. Bag up the # matching parts, oil and spray them up real good so they don't start to rust, and put the parts up on a shelf for a later day. Now, go find a 400 and toss in a 512 kit. Put on some Stealth heads and paint it up like the original 383 was looking. When you are giving rides in it , and boiling the tires in all 4 gears, and they ask you how a 383 makes this much power. You just give them the old and tell them to shut the f*#! up and hang on!!! After that's out of your system, which some of us takes years, then put the # matching stuff back in and give it to your kid. If, it's still in one piece!
Snap your neck, mega G-force launch, is all I want!
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Re: 383 vs. 440
[Re: BDS871Cuda]
#266412
03/25/09 11:41 PM
03/25/09 11:41 PM
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 36,041 Lincoln Nebraska
RapidRobert
Circle Track
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Circle Track
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 36,041
Lincoln Nebraska
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543 cube 440 source kit in an RB block. The price is the same as other size kits. You'll be glad you did. Just sit on the numbers matching stuff & in your spare time you might search for a # matching carb/radiator(which would not be aluminum) for your stash.
live every 24 hour block of time like it's your last day on earth
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Re: 383 vs. 440
[Re: CurYellowBird]
#266413
03/26/09 12:09 AM
03/26/09 12:09 AM
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,587 missouri, USA
moparmojo
master
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master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,587
missouri, USA
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A lot of guys, will tell you to go for the bigger motor. Nothing wrong with that. I too am in this position. Build the 383 in the car or spend a bit more and get 57 more cubic inches instantly. What I would really like to know is the general performace gain between the two when you compare a similar performace build up. Cam change, good machine work, decent carb (non stroker) what is the real HP difference...50hp?? Is it worth the extra couple hundred bucks for the block, but need all the little parts you need to purchase because the two motors are slightly different. Lets just say on a basic build up, it might cost you an average of $500 difference between the two. You would think with price difference you could take the extra money and put it into the 383 and make up the difference. Not sure. Bet others have opinions on this. I will say, that most people looking to buy a car would be happy to hear it has a 440 in it. But I wouldn't frown if it had a 383 in it either.
Last edited by moparmojo; 03/26/09 12:11 AM.
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