383 vs 400
05-04-2009 | 08:09 PM
#1
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383 vs 400
ok. i know a decent amount about mopar small blocks, but i plan on owning a B body car someday, and you guys have convinced me that big blocks are the way to go. So i wanna hear your ideas on such engines.
so i KNOW i wont have the money for this for a long time, but...
my dream car is to find a nearly rust free '68 charger shell and build it up. i dont like restored cars so my plan is to just make it rust proof, and scary looking. aka - similiar to the 1969 charger in Death Proof.
I want a big block that can turn 6000+ rpm and i intend to have a 4spd A833, or some kinda 5spd and running 4:10 gears and if i have to, ill use a solid cam.
im not the biggest fan of RB engines since since ive never heard of them to be "high-revving" due to their 3.75 stroke. So that rules out a 440.
so which would be a better engine to use - 383 or 400? they have the same stroke, but the 400 has a huge 4.34 bore. would the 400 be able to rev like a 383? ive heard about the 340 having a slight issues since its pistons were so large and heavy compared to its stroke or something like that.
i also plan on using these heads from 440 source. i cant justify blowing 1500 on a set of indy or edelbrock heads, so i would use stock 452 casting heads, but i know machine shops are hella expensive, so i like the idea of these cheaper aluminum heads:
440source.com/heads.htm
so i KNOW i wont have the money for this for a long time, but...
my dream car is to find a nearly rust free '68 charger shell and build it up. i dont like restored cars so my plan is to just make it rust proof, and scary looking. aka - similiar to the 1969 charger in Death Proof.
I want a big block that can turn 6000+ rpm and i intend to have a 4spd A833, or some kinda 5spd and running 4:10 gears and if i have to, ill use a solid cam.
im not the biggest fan of RB engines since since ive never heard of them to be "high-revving" due to their 3.75 stroke. So that rules out a 440.
so which would be a better engine to use - 383 or 400? they have the same stroke, but the 400 has a huge 4.34 bore. would the 400 be able to rev like a 383? ive heard about the 340 having a slight issues since its pistons were so large and heavy compared to its stroke or something like that.
i also plan on using these heads from 440 source. i cant justify blowing 1500 on a set of indy or edelbrock heads, so i would use stock 452 casting heads, but i know machine shops are hella expensive, so i like the idea of these cheaper aluminum heads:
440source.com/heads.htm
05-05-2009 | 04:54 AM
#2
Mopar Lover
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 700
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From: central ,IN
I think 400`s always got a bad rep. I had 1 in a 70 runner, wasnt a super bad motor but it ran great w/ 3.91`s and an automatic. main thing was it was a great street motor and super dependable, I drove that car everywhere. Id stay away from a solid lift cam for the street, alot of tuning issues, a good mid range cam with at least 750 cfm, for the trans , I think the new overdrive gear from passion for a standard 4 spd, would be nice, then you can run the 4.10`s and still have a decent driver. the nicest thing to me about using the 400 is you can still find them in junk yards , most of the 383 cars have been crushed already.
05-05-2009 | 11:50 AM
#3
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I think 400`s always got a bad rep. I had 1 in a 70 runner, wasnt a super bad motor but it ran great w/ 3.91`s and an automatic. main thing was it was a great street motor and super dependable, I drove that car everywhere. Id stay away from a solid lift cam for the street, alot of tuning issues, a good mid range cam with at least 750 cfm, for the trans , I think the new overdrive gear from passion for a standard 4 spd, would be nice, then you can run the 4.10`s and still have a decent driver. the nicest thing to me about using the 400 is you can still find them in junk yards , most of the 383 cars have been crushed already.
however id like to see how much more it would cost to build a 451 stroker.
05-05-2009 | 12:02 PM
#4
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Joined: Apr 2009
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From: Michigan: The First Line of Defense From The Canadians!
I've been checking this for myself. 440 source and Muscle motors seem to have some great kits for the 400. I really like the 496 stroker kit for the B block. I thought I read where the 400 is actually more rigid than the RB block?
05-09-2009 | 11:33 AM
#7
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yeah for sure. but if and when i do this, i wonder how much more expensive it would be to just build it into a 451 stroker...
05-12-2009 | 12:59 PM
#9
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or just go even cheaper and use the stock 400 rods.
05-13-2009 | 02:45 AM
#10
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Joined: Dec 2008
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From: East Coast Canada
With the complete kit comes crank etc etc. Why turn down/ruin a 440 crank. There are many schools of thought on that. I have concerns with removal of the nitriding on the crank conversely weakening the crank. The 440 Source kit has the problems worked out for ya, in the end it's your choice, but with the kit there is minimal f$ckin' around. Keep us posted bro.
05-22-2009 | 06:09 PM
#11
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,127
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From: queensland Australia
i think 400 is the way to go , do they have cast cranks ? 383 have forgies . it's the aftermarket cranks & light weight pistons that really make the low deck shine
. lightweight rotating assemblies & valve train allows for quicker acceleration & strength & less hp taxed from friction ( shorter piston ) better rod ratio , less stress the list goes on . the 451 or 400 may be better suited to a abody or light car & use rpms . 440 + cid for b body's heavier cars . because they will all make the same hp is determined by your heads . cubic inches determines the rev range where you make your power . you just need to rev your 383 / 400 harder to make the same power as a 440 - 451 - 496 they all use the same heads .
Last edited by deadkelly; 05-22-2009 at 06:15 PM.
01-14-2012 | 06:06 PM
#14
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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 2,732
Likes: 359
From: Ontario Canada
Look into the 451, you'll find that the bore stroke ratio and primarily the stroke rod length ratio make it a excellent combination that can rev well and make tons of power. If you go that way look at pistons with a full lower ring land for the oil ring, some have smaller pins to accomplish this and will make a lighter piston pin combination.
01-15-2012 | 08:34 PM
#15
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Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 102
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From: Lakewood, CO
Yea I noticed the K B 280 pistons @ 550 grams have the top of the pin protruding into the oil ring land. What type do I use for a full oil ring land? The KB 236 pistons for the 440 weigh 775 grams. So saving 225 grams of reciprocating weight times 8 = 1800 gram savings. At 6000 RPM that weight is changing direction 200 times a second! Thats 100 Revolutions a second, once up once down, right? Thats got to be a big power saver as well as less stress on crank, rods, and main bearing web. Think I will go with the 400 stroker.
01-16-2012 | 08:07 AM
#16
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Joined: Sep 2010
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From: Houston, Texas
http://www.440source.com/blockinfo.htm
01-16-2012 | 09:37 AM
#17
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 220
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Some like them and some don't but they have a good write up on blocks.
http://www.440source.com/blockinfo.htm
http://www.440source.com/blockinfo.htm
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