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Dakota Performance
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cory
Dodge Dakota
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12/19/2002
18:08:21

Subject: 440 vs. 383
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I have a 94 dak with a v6. I am going to replace this with an 8 cylinder. I am going to school for auto service for the next two years so this will happen over this long period of time. Ok now to the point. I can get my hands on either a 383 or a 440. I know I should get the 440 but, would i be able to make the same kinda power with the 383? what I'm thinking is that 383 is lighter which is an advantage. any suggestions, help or advice is much appriciated. thanks and sorry about the length



Greg555
Dodge Dakota
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12/19/2002
18:55:29

RE: 440 vs. 383
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440 all the way. you can buy hemi conversions
heads for the 440. company is called "stage v"
www.stagev.com price will vary depending on what
all you get doen and get from them so not sure on
the price excatly but a regular hemi will run you
damn near 11k with the 440 instead you can build
it for around 8k. so theres the obviouse
advantage. while the 440 block is not excatly the
same as the hemi's, the heads are what really
makes the hemi a hemi. thats my plan for my truck.
need to finish my other project car first but i
plan on building such an engine. so best of luck
and i hope that helped

Greg



eggbert
Dodge Dakota
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12/19/2002
20:24:47

RE: 440 vs. 383
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440 man! The 383 weighs the same. No advantage to going that route.



DAHEMIKOTA
Dodge Dakota
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12/19/2002
20:47:08

RE: 440 vs. 383
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eggbert has the plan! If you go to an automatic, get a 727 out of a big block motorhome (they used Hemi transmisions)the part number is stamped on the trans just below the shift rods on the pan rail.Ford 9" rear or Dana 60. Fill the tailgate with cement (Ha Ha) Worked for me. I got a 1969 11.5:1 comp. 440 engine for sale if you want to spend $2000.00 for an almost new engine.



340Dart
Dodge Dakota
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12/19/2002
21:10:42

RE: 440 vs. 383
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Definately go 440 and don't get the hemi heads its just no the same. Instead get the indy heads and intake they are a killer combo that will make loads of power.



flame red dak
Dodge Dakota
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12/19/2002
23:11:23

RE: 440 vs. 383
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I have a 383 they are good motors. The reving potential of the 383 is a lot more than the 440 because of the lighter rotating assembly and the shorter stroke 3.38"(which is even smaller than a chebbie 350=3.48 stroke) with just a little smaller bore than the 440 which = a real good rod ratio. Big bore 4.25" and small stroke 3.38"= higher rpm capabilities with lots of H.P. And if you get a pre-70s 383 it will have a forged crank which is virtually indestructable. Back in the muscle car era the 383 with its forged crank and forged rods made it bullit proof and unblowable. If you want a good screamer the 383 is for you. Not only that but you can use the same heads from a 440 on a 383. The 440 is heavier but not a whole lot more. The 383 having a lighter rotating assembly and a similar block to that of the 440 makes it a more rigid foundation than the 440. Don't get me wrong the 440 is great but the potential of a well built 383 is highly underestimated.



Cory
Dodge Dakota
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12/19/2002
23:30:46

RE: 440 vs. 383
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Thanks Guys. Especially flame red, you told me what I was thinkin. Eggbert let me know if I'm wrong but a 383 is a "b" designation block where as a 440 is an "rb" block which would make the 440 a whole different sized block. Some one catch me if I'm wrong. And as far as traction I think I will install some traction bars on the rear. I'm going to keep all driveline components mopar. I plan on using a 727 transmission. I can pick up a 440 for $400. Again thanks for your help guys.



eggbert
Dodge Dakota
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12/20/2002
03:29:10

RE: 440 vs. 383
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I'm not sure about block designation but they are both big blocks. No noticable weight savings. Can 383 rev? You betcha'! Will it out run 440? Nope! I've had both in same body and 440 will always be faster with the same $ spent on goodies. Theory on rotating mass is nice BUT there is no replacement for displacement.
You didn't say what you are going to so for a rearend.DAHEMIKOTA is right on rearend choices. Stock Dakota rearend won't last through first burnout behind either one of these torque beasts.



Art
Dodge Dakota
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12/20/2002
04:14:24

RE: 440 vs. 383
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383 and 440 are different blocks,and parts are not interchangable,go with the 440 just for the cost and power advantage,383 parts cost more and are harder to find



Jason Teague
Dodge Dakota
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12/20/2002
23:10:04

RE: 440 vs. 383
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There's just no substitute for cubic inches. The only advantage of a low deck motor (361,383, &400) is the height & width in a tight engine compartment. Wieght savings is minimal and not worth the loss of displacement. 361, 383, and 400s are Bs & 413,426 wedges and 440s are RBs. Everything except the crank, rods, pistons, pushrods, distributors and the intake interchange.



moparjoe20
Dodge Dakota
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12/20/2002
23:55:44

RE: 440 vs. 383
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Leave the 440's and 383's to the resto guys - for a killer motor in a tight package go for a 400B based 470 - it's a 4.38" bore 400 block with a 3.90" offset ground 440 crank.

Use 440-1 Indy's - ported - Indy intake and 1050 holley - mid 12 comp - .720 roller.

I know of a motor like this in a 3800# Challenger that runs 9.80's@136 and still is fairly streetable if you don't mind race gas , a 5,300 stall and 4.56 gears.



flame red dak
Dodge Dakota
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12/21/2002
01:20:35

RE: 440 vs. 383
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Yes the two blocks are different 383 "B" which has a low deck and 440 "RB" which is a high deck the heads and manifolds are interchangable contrary to previous posts. True about no replacement for displacement, but if you wanted to be unique and do something few have done go with the 383. Everyone underestimates its power and wouldn't think it could be a power house. The 383 I have came out of a 1968 polara 4-door with stock power ratings of 300 hp and 390 lb ft of torque with a 2 barrel carb. With a "mild" to "moderate build" you could see 400+ hp and 450+ torque. Parts for the 383 are just as available as for the 440. There really is no cheaper route between the two, and this is why many choose a 440. The reason I chose the 383 was to be different and show that it was no slouch up against its bigger brother the 440, but I am yet up to the task of finishing the motor. I'm a little low on funds now that i got my R/T so its on the backburner, but when I'm done I'll put it to the test and maybe smoke a 440. But if not I'm sure I'll eat the lunches of lots of chebbies.. God I hate Chevies



jjj
Dodge Dakota
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12/21/2002
13:36:10

RE: 440 vs. 383
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ok here is the real deal
440 & 383-
-heads- 67 mag., 68-70 any, 71 is so so interchangeable
-crank- use pre 74 forged better yet pre 71 use cast as last resort only, 68-70 best. NOT interchangeable
-intakes are NOT interchangeable in stock form
-distributors are NOT interchangeable in stock form (can use a 440 in a 383 with adapter)
-rods are different lengths between the two
-most other things interchange

I am going to use a 400 block, 440 forged crank, 383 rods and 383 6pack for my Cuda. Reasonably priced yet streetable 450-500 hp with good torque.
The reduced height of the B block comes in handy in tight areas.
Good luck and the difference in a 1/4 between the two is about 0.5 sec.

Jeff



mjcromp
Dodge Dakota
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5/01/2003
22:21:59

RE: 440 vs. 383
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thanks to everyone who said to get a 440. i finally got one and just have to drop it in now.
if anyone else is in the same boat e-mail me. i'd be glad to keep in touch!
later

Mike.
mjcromp@excite.com



Furyboy
Dodge Dakota
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12/10/2007
21:33:12

RE: 440 vs. 383
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I have a 1975 C body(4000+ pounds) with a mildly modified 383 '69 (cam, headers, intake, carb, ported head) and it makes around 425-450hp. I wonder if a 440 with the same combo would make a lot more horses... anyway I have no problems beating little japaneese car, or mustangs ;)



1hotkadota
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12/11/2007
13:31:55

RE: 440 vs. 383
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Dude, just buy a 5.7L Hemi engine and turbo that sucker. You'll make a butt load of hp and get better mileage.



1hotkadota
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12/11/2007
13:33:03

RE: 440 vs. 383
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Sorry guys. But old school motors like those are not my style. Carbs suck.



gen1dak
Dodge Dakota
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12/13/2007
05:37:30

RE: 440 vs. 383
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1/2 second equals roughly 5 car-lengths in a 13-second run, more or less. The 383 Magnum was legendary in its day. It made the RoadRunner THE car to have back then, but no matter how you slice it, you're giving away 57 cubes to the 440. Equally built, the 440 will win, but there are other angles to consider. Will the 383 make the power you want? 450hp with gobs of torque is very easy these days. What may help is looking at it from the angle of two equally powerful engines, one a 383, the other a 440. In that case, the 383 would be a good match for the 440 in question. The lighter reciprocating mass will help the quick-rev 383 wind out quicker, and higher. The smaller displacement may also edge the 440 of equal power in fuel efficiency. Bottom line? No matter what you build, there's always someone out there with something faster.



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