Driver Feel: 451 vs 400

[JedIEG]

I bought a 400 for my 72SSP . The cam is wiped and the crank is showing some gulling so it will need machined and I will be throwing the 318 back in once the body resto is done. Since I need to rebuild my 400, would the extra cost for the 451 (would have to buy the RB crank) be worth the time and trouble? Anyone who has gone from a 400/383 to a stroker, how does it feel? Would you do it again? The car is 727auto/3.2 rear gear. I care about street feel with some interest in road race/auto cross in the future. (if anyone has a spare 3.75 throw crank laying around I could be interested)

 

[hunt2elk]

I say do the 451. I had a stock 383 in my 69 Runner. Pulled it out this past winter and replaced it with a 451. I couldn't be happier and will use the same set up in my next car. Not sure how far you would go with it. I did use aluminum heads, intake, and 10:1 compression pistons. Went from 335 hp to 522 hp and 561 torque. I also was able to switch my 3.91 gears to a more user friendly 3.55 set. This car is a blast to drive - I just love the power.

 

[mattsmopars]

Another vote for the 451! Noting like the torque a good stroker makes.
Matt

 

[Garys1969RR]

I have had a 451 in my 69 RR for 4 years now. 915 heads, dome pistons. Stock 440 forged crank. Runs consistent low to mid 12s at 110 MPH. 5600 feet elevation. Wouldn't go any other way, other than more stroke or alum heads.

 

[Dennis H]

Not sure, but I know that 500 at the crank feels just right.

 

[747mopar]

Not sure, but I know that 500 at the crank feels just right.

Agree, I'm running a 451 with a fairly mild cam and love the motor. I'm running ported 452 heads with the larger valves, KB Hyp pistons, RPM intake, 850 Demon carb, Comp Magnum rockers and a Comp Cam with $4,500 in it (machine work included). Never had it dynoed but looking at similar builds I'd gues in the 500hp range, fun to drive but very well mannered for cruising. The 440 crank will need 4 throws cleranced (only takes half an hour if you have a lathe), turned to the 400 journal size and then balanced. You might want to read the book High Performance Big Block Mopar, they takk very highly of the 400 block and this setup.

 

[cdr]

i built a 512, 400 block, 4.250 stroke, awesome street engine!!

 

[Cranky]

Heavy cars benefit from engines that produce torque in the lower rpm ranges and a longer stroke engine does this better than a short stroke engine. However, when your mild build 440 gets beat by a little more wild 318, it's gets your attention. Gotta say the teen was geared to death and wouldn't make a very good street cruiser while the 440 would and did but it was still fun beating up on it lol. You can make the 400 run pretty good but the 451 will also run very nicely.

 

[383man]

I can say I went from a mild iron headed 440 in my 63 that ran mid 11's to the 493 in it now that has run 10.70's and that was a feeling worth the wait. The torque of the 440 was nice but the 493 is like rocket ship torque and you can definetly just feel the difference in the seat of the pants with ease.
Now with that said we do have a stock stroke 400 in my sons Dart that uses Eddy RPM heads and intake and the MP .557 flat tappet cam and a 750 DP carb. With 3.91 gears in his 3550 lb Dart with him in it he has run 11.40's @ 117. So you can make the 400's run good but on heavier B-body the stroker torque is really nice. Ron

 

[GetX'd]

I vote for the 451 too. If you don't go that route you'll probably regret it down the road. I went from a 440, 375 hp and a mild cam to a 494 with a stroker kit and 555 hp on the dyno. Haven't been able to actually drive the car yet as the body is taking time - however the feel and power of the car is much greater than before. Wish I could get it out of park......

 

[demonram]

I love mine! It's in a 72 SSP. I went the 440 source route with it. 484 cam, source heads, 10.5 comp, edelbrock rpm, 750 carb. Chassis dyno 366 h.p. 456 torque. 13.7 1/4 at 99.8 m.p.h. With a .625 react and up in smoke tires just touching it with BFG's 275/60s. It's a mild build compared to many, but it's reliable and will break em at 20 and scoot! So my vote is YES! Take care!

 

[500dodge]

yes..yes...yes....tons of torque and pulls hard in my b body!!

 

[TetanusShot]

Always build the biggest cubic inch short block that your wallet can stand! Heads can be swapped, intakes, headers, cams... all these can be changed later on.

 

[cdn66satellite]

Ive got a 383 stroked to 450. Rev's very fast, tons of torque. I love the feel way better than other 440's ive been in.

 

[67coronetman]

i am getting ready to start building my Stroker motor i love the 440 motor very much but i am looking at using a 400 block with a 4:15 crank & H-Beam rods that have have at hand & i will be using my indy heads & a very nasty Crower Roller cam.

 

[Challenger340]

The "comparison"..... between a 383 or 400...... to a "451" ??
To be blunt, there is absolutely no comparison whatsoever..... NOT even in the same league !