I was just kinda thinking about this earlier. The 383 only has 23 more cubes than a 360 and shorter stroke. I have never built a BB or RB motor so I only know what i've read and seen 2nd hand.

I know this is kinda a weird question, I was just curious. I was thinking and the 360 only looses 23 cubes but has a longer stroke. However, the 383 has a larger bore and probably heavier pistons. So, which is more of a torque monster, by how much, and why?

I know it would depend on how you build it, but lets just say for a standard mild build. Dual plane intakes, and nothing really exotic in terms of parts.

Also, aside from cost (which is obviously a HUGE factor) what are the benefits of one motor over the other. And no offense, but I am looking for objective answers. I understand some people just have their personal reasons for one kinda motor over the other (favorite motor is the 318 poly).

Depends what it's going in too. The 360 will weigh less than the 383. Once you go stroker you'll never go back but a bb is always nice to look at under the hood. If it's got a sb in it now then stay with it, same with the bb.

For sure, I just put my 360 in my car and won't even consider putting a BB in my dart. Just too much work for what it's worth. I may have struck a deal with a guy just outta town from me for a 67 Fury sport / 383 equipped for under 1k.

Never put much thought into BB because I'm more or less broke being a student. But i had got to reading about them and was just curious about them.

It just seems like 383s are ALOT more $$ to build than a 360 and I don't see a whole lot more power being put outta any 383s. Kinda seems like you could run a beast of a 360 or just go 440 if you are doing a swap for the price of what you would have into a 383 anyways for a mild build.

I guess if i was to build a drag car then the extra strength of a BB is good. But a 408 stroker seems to stand pretty tall next to ALOT of engines.

Depends on the car. A-body 360 (just for ease) and B-body 383, they just don't look right w/ a SB. E-body is a coin flip.

It's all a matter of preference, but the cost to build really is about the same. I like big block A-bodies and we've done a couple of 383s. It's still the way I like to go, but I've been recommending 360s to guys who want to run small blocks for 30 years as they are more plentiful than 340s.

I guess it really boils down to application, but not looking at that I say 383. Even with the slight advantages a 360 would have in stroke and a lighter rotating assembly, the 383 wins because it can breath.

If I had to do it over again I would go BB. The only reason I'm building a 408 right now is because I already have a good deal of money sunk into SB parts.

Well, my personal preference is Big Block all the way. I just like the design of the B/RB engine family.

If you were thinking about going the stroker rout, you could stuff a 440 steel crank in to the 383 block for 426 cubic inches. Cost effective... Lighter reciprocating assembly... etc.

If your going to keep it mild a 383 should produce more power than a 360. This is assuming the heads are left stock.

You can easly make a small block go as fast as you want to go. I have seen a 70 challenger with a 390ish cube smallblock go into the 8's at 150+ on the engine alone.

If you are talkin C-body; only reasonable choice is the B engine. My 66 Polara and Monaco both have the 383. I cant imagine a 360 trying to pull one of those down the pike. A stroker 432 would be great in one!

Years ago I had a 71 360 Newport man could that barge run tHe early run 3602bbls had Holleys on them and put out a pile of torque. Every 383 I have seen prior to the 330-335 hp versions were pigs period. They finally realized that better exhaust manifolds and heads make a happier 383. I would go 360 but if the 383 is a HP version I would consider it

383s are usually about the same price as a 360 and sometimes cheaper. No one wants a 383, its like the 318 of the big blocks. That said it is an absolute screamer and has more horsepower potential than any small block based on head flow capabilities.

I used to be a nothing but BB guy. Then I built my 408. I'll never go back.

I like big blocks but I would not build a 383. The 383's can be built to haul, but you're basically taking a weight penalty for no huge gain over a 360. Now do a 400 based stroker which is the same externally as a 383 and now you're talking!

Here's how I see it:

PRO's
360-----------------383
Lighter Weight------Deep Skirt Block
Smaller Size--------Better Stock Head Flow
Longer Stroke-------Bigger Bore
Cheaper-------------Bigger Displacement

They both share shaft valve train which is very stable. It would come down to what it already had and/or what you had parts for I would guess. In my own case I'd love to put a big block or modern Hemi in my van, but its awful tight on the early b-vans (big blocks came in later years, '75 up, with different floor pan cut out). That being said, it also depends on what you want out of it. You would probably be happy with a mildly built either one. One might 60' a smidge better but the other would pull better through the mid range. My 360 pulls plenty hard for my heavy van (4150 lbs empty) so I'm happy with it and know I can do a lot with it still that I haven't, from EFI to forced induction to stroking. Hope that helps

They're both great engines. I think if you were limited to stock, iron heads that the 383 would be the winner. However, these days you can make anything great depending on your chequebook. In an A-body I prefer the A-engine, it's smaller and fits better and you don't have to hunt down mounts, headers etc.
I have a 383 in my 70 Pickup and I love it. I considered a 440 for the extra torque but I built the 383 because it's easier on gas and I'm real happy with the performance too.
There are no losers when it comes to Chrysler engines from the 60's or 70's or up until now actually.
I do prefer Chrysler big blocks because of the deep skirted block, dry intake, external oil pump, front distributor, forged cranks on most of them etc.

Sheldon

A lot of good points here. For me it would come down to what I already had. A bb swap would require a host of different parts...I guess it would be the same going the other way, but that is practically never done. The 360 can certainly make good power, but I am not one to quickly walk by a 383.

I'm assuming you are asking for info on the Fury? If so stick with the 383 since the car is already set up for it. You will get more horsepower and torque out of a stockish 383 than you ever will out of a stockish 360 dollar for dollar. Plus if it actually is an original 67 383, they are great, reliable, strong motors! Big block internals are just way stronger than small block and the heads and intakes flow very well for mild builds with no modification. Parts for a stock rebuild on the 383 will generally be maybe a couple hundred more but it will be money well spent in the long run.

Alright, so it seems what it is really coming down to for the "average" build is that the BB heads flow better than the 360 heads (again, nothing exotic)

So, that's where the 383 takes the 360. Because, my first inclination would think that given the longer stroke the 360 should be able to make monster torque to pull even a C-body.

As it is, this car is 383 equipped and It would close to the dumbest thing ever to swap to a SB; thats not what i was getting at.

So the major pros that I see that aren't heavily out-weighed by anything the 360 has is : Deep skirt motor (stronger) and better heads. Other than that, it's kinda "bore vs. stroke" and "cubes vs Weight"

Alright then, I'll accept that