I see a 1971 Duster for sale with a torqueflite automatic with B&M ratchet shifter and 383 motor. I want to use car mostly as just street car but am interested in doing beginner vintage hpde track days. I was originally looking at a 340 duster. My question is if the 383 would make the car too front heavy? How about the difference in weight between the 340 and 383? I want the car to have decent power but can handle as good within reason that a duster can. Ger.

 

M -

People have been putting BBs in A bodies forever.
Might need (want) some suspension mods.

Archer

 

Both are 1.6 lbs per cubic inch, 383 is plus 43 c.i. and 70 lbs which can be reduced with aluminum manifold and headers. I believe the 383 with its short stroke is a great package for an A Body and any weight concerns would be with the 440 RB engines. The 383 has the option of stroking to achieve big cubes in a small package, 438 or 496 c.i..

 

Mopar put plenty of 383s in Abodys and in 1969 put the 440 in a few Abody Darts....
I've done a 440 in a Valiant in the early 80s, fun car...

 

Nice little stroker 383 will fit just fine and be a blast to drive.....

 

I currently have a Plum Crazy 71 Duster with a 383/ Six pack motor. It was originally a slant six car with manual steering and brakes. My car needs some suspension upgrades from the slant six components, and I am about to start that project. I am adding 4 new gas adjustable shocks, a power front disc brake kit, new manual steering gear box(fast ratio 16-1), and front and rear sway bars. I have had a 73 Duster 340 before, and I don't see any difference in the big block vs small block handling. I am convinced that the only problem I have is the sloppy and worn out steering gear box that I am about to take care of.