block preferances. why 383 over 400?

block preferances. why 383 over 400? - 08/26/13 01:40 AM

I was told by guy today on the phone that a built 383 will outrun a 400 any day of the week. Now, this guy was calling about 71 newport that Im selling, I listed it for $1000 and stated that I would be keeping my 400 engine (cause its a 230 cold weather block.) He wants the whole car, and Im guessing he is telling me how much better a 383 can be built than a 400 because he wants my 400. My first thought to his statement was, uh you can make a 340 outrun a 400 if you have enough money.. its all in what you do to it.

So, is there some key feature to a 383 that makes them better blocks for high horsepower and stroker combinations? and not for unlimited budget builds, lets say the the budget is $8,000 and you wanted a reliable 650hp street/strip car

Posted By: ahy

Re: block preferances. why 383 over 400? - 08/26/13 01:44 AM

Bigger bore favors the 400. Also stronger main bearing webbing. The 383 can be stroked to make a hi po engine but I can't think of any reason it would be preferred over a 400.

Posted By: RUNCHARGER

Re: block preferances. why 383 over 400? - 08/26/13 01:46 AM

Nah: But a stock 68-69 383 Magnum will certainly outrun any stock Mopar, Chev or Ford 400.

Sheldon

Posted By: RapidRobert

Re: block preferances. why 383 over 400? - 08/26/13 01:47 AM

Quote:

and Im guessing he is telling me how much better a 383 can be built than a 400 because he wants my 400.

When I was 12 yrs old the mechanic/radiator repairman across the street told me that "friendship ceases when it comes to money" & I didn't believe him (at the time).

Posted By: HotRodDave

Re: block preferances. why 383 over 400? - 08/26/13 04:13 AM

Bump the price up $1000 then I will drop off a complete one at your house next month for $750 when I go to Seattle.

You make more money and do less work
He gets his silly numbers matching 400 2bbl
And I sell a spare engine sitting around.

Posted By: 340SHORTY

Re: block preferances. why 383 over 400? - 08/26/13 04:19 AM

400s are bow wows till you stroke 1.. "Im not talking about petting it.."

Posted By: AndyF

Re: block preferances. why 383 over 400? - 08/26/13 04:26 AM

If everything else is the same then the 400 will make more power. It has more cubic inches and a bigger bore size.

The problem is that you never used to be able to get good shelf pistons for the 400 so it was always a dog. But that can be fixed. Everything else is basically the same between the engines.

Posted By: DusterKrazy

Re: block preferances. why 383 over 400? - 08/26/13 04:43 AM

Quote:

400s are bow wows till you stroke 1.. "Im not talking about petting it.."

Don't agree at all. All a 400 needs is compression. It has a cylinder bore even larger than the 440. Loves to rev just like the 383. My slightly modified one in my '65 Chrysler moves it very well.

Posted By: BulletBob

Re: block preferances. why 383 over 400? - 08/26/13 04:51 AM

You give that 400 the same compression,camshaft,intake/carb & heads as the 383 & the 400 with show you that

"There's NO Substitute for CUBIC INCHES!"

Posted By: chromedome426

Re: block preferances. why 383 over 400? - 08/26/13 02:20 PM

The 400 blocks have become very popular with Bracket Racers with the availability of all the stroker kits out there today.

With the low deck height and big bore they make for a very nice big cubic inch, fast revving, long lasting durable engine with a little extra hood clearance and less weight than a 440 block.

Posted By: Anonymous

Re: block preferances. why 383 over 400? - 08/26/13 03:04 PM

Of all the "conventional wisdom" about engines , the Big Bore - Short stroke deal is the truth. It Works! The bigger bore is always, always better.
Two of the baddest big block Mopars I have ever seen
were 4.500 bore and very short stroke. They made massive power. I likey 400's any day!

Posted By: dogdays

Re: block preferances. why 383 over 400? - 08/26/13 06:41 PM

The guy was either dishonest or dumb, take your pick.

In my world, 383s are giveaway engines, kind of like 318s. The '68 383 Magnum swap meet engine that didn't sell for $75.00 is an example.

400s are worth more. People are pretty well educated about the advantages.

R.

Posted By: Cab_Burge

Re: block preferances. why 383 over 400? - 08/26/13 07:30 PM

Quote:

I was told by guy today on the phone that a built 383 will outrun a 400 any day of the week. Now, this guy was calling about 71 newport that Im selling, I listed it for $1000 and stated that I would be keeping my 400 engine (cause its a 230 cold weather block.) He wants the whole car, and Im guessing he is telling me how much better a 383 can be built than a 400 because he wants my 400. My first thought to his statement was, uh you can make a 340 outrun a 400 if you have enough money.. its all in what you do to it.

So, is there some key feature to a 383 that makes them better blocks for high horsepower and stroker combinations? and not for unlimited budget builds, lets say the the budget is $8,000 and you wanted a reliable 650hp street/strip car

Is there any smoke coming out of your ears yet

He is trying to blow smoke up yuor rear

the 400 block is way better than the 383, if they weren't Mopar wouldn't have replaced the 383 with them

You should always sonic test any block before committing to building them

Posted By: RapidRobert

Re: block preferances. why 383 over 400? - 08/26/13 10:01 PM

Slightly OT but a 400 with a 440 crank is a good plan. I see 440 steel cranks on occaision for $100-125 & this combo (451) or offset grinding the 440 crank (470) yields plenty of cubes & the B block is a better fit in an A body & look what Andy got out of his 470-550 horsepower! Yes he had killer (alum) heads which you're way ahead to go with them anyhow rather than antiquated iron heads but it is simple & easily doable. The biggest expense (besides the heads) is the pistons but you're gonna need them whichever way you go.