Am I stupid for thinking...

[wsutard]

That I can trade my built 340 for a 440? Now, before you answer, some background.

My car is a 69 Coronet R/Tish that I acquired a few weeks ago. Long story short, the previous owner claimed he was once offered big money for this 340. Why? Because it is a 340 out of a 68 Dart GTS with matching X heads.

I purchased the car as the car, not the stories behind it. However, I have actually confirmed that this 340 is as he said, from a 68 GTS.

It was rebuilt about 4 years ago and has the following:
Keith Black Pistons
H-Beam Rods
Forged Steel Crank
2.02 X Heads
Crowler Cam, 285 dur., 480 lift, 110 deg
Titanium Valves
Hooker Headers
Edelbrock Carb and Intake

Now, don't get me wrong, I actually love this motor. (Other than the hiccup I had with a burnout...) but I wouldn't mind putting in a 440, not only because a 440 belongs in a R/T but because my hood scoop has the 440 Magnum emblems on it, I feel a little guilty every time someone points to the hood scoop and asks me about the motor.

Being that this motor is special for GTS owners, and a 440 out of anything will do for me, I have to think that asking to trade my 340 for a like 440 would be fair. I understand this motor is most valuable to the numbers matching car, however, there are 68 GTS's out there that will never have their numbers matching motor and the next best thing is a 68 340 out of another GTS.

So, what is everyone's opinion? Is my 340 worth a 440 in trade?

 

['73bird]

Why not just get a 440 from a yard out of a motorhome? and keep your 340?

 

[Budnicks]

No your not crazy, not in my mind...

But it depends on what 440 too, opinions vary vastly,
ask 10 people you'll get a few different thoughts...

Depends on who's wanting the 340 too, value/worth wise...

Someone the needs an era correct 68 340 X-head engine,
it'd be worth more to them than others...

If you want a 440, go for it...

{I'd personally stay away from Motor Home engines, albeit extremely affordable/available, there's also reasonings why,
but too many things that usually need upgrading/changing, not really performance based engines, torque monsters thou}

 

[wsutard]

Why not just get a 440 from a yard out of a motorhome? and keep your 340?

...money.

No your not crazy, not in my mind...

But it depends on what 440 too, opinions vary vastly,
ask 10 people you'll get a few different thoughts...

Depends on who's wanting the 340 too, value/worth wise...

Someone the needs an era correct 68 340 X-head engine,
it'd be worth more to them than others...

If you want a 440, go for it...

{I'd personally stay away from Motor Home engines, albeit extremely affordable/available, there's also reasonings why,
but too many things that usually need upgrading/changing, not really performance based engines, torque monsters thou}

I have put the motor up on the "Lost and Found" section over at FABO. Would be really awesome to know I helped complete a vehicle for someone.

 

['73bird]

...money.

I have put the motor up on the "Lost and Found" section over at FABO. Would be really awesome to know I helped complete a vehicle for someone.

Should be cheap for a 440 in a junkyard out of a motorhome.

 

[wsutard]

Should be cheap for a 440 in a junkyard out of a motorhome.

Finding the 440 isnt the issue, its making it good that costs the most money.

 

[Derwud]

Well I say go 440, but that is always my answer. Don't forget EVERYTHING will need to be upgraded as well. Radiator to Rear End..

 

[Derwud]

Finding the 440 isnt the issue, its making it good that costs the most money.

440 (375 Horse) is good out of the box, but see other e-mail..

 

[wsutard]

Well I say go 440, but that is always my answer. Don't forget EVERYTHING will need to be upgraded as well. Radiator to Rear End..

Yep, I figure about $1000 on new crap just to put a 440 in. K-Member, a833 bell-housing. I believe my radiator is a big block already but might need to change that also.

 

[wsutard]

440 (375 Horse) is good out of the box, but see other e-mail..

what other email?

 

['73bird]

Finding the 440 isnt the issue, its making it good that costs the most money.

Depends but to make any motor good is going to cost money

http://www.hotrod.com/how-to/engine/1412-how-you-can-build-a-stout-537hp-street-440/

http://www.hotrod.com/how-to/engine/mopp-1304-440-mopar-engine-back-to-basics/

but you can build it for less money

 

[Derwud]

what other email?

I meant Post..

 

[MrJLR]

If money is an issue, bare in mind switching from a small block to a big block has a lot of costs that come with it....

Jeff

 

[SgtLee511]

I've built a few 340's and love them, been an A body 340 guy since I was of age to drive. But I love the originality of these cars more now than ever. We could find any of these bad boys for $500 in the 80's. Times are a changing, its yours to tinker with, but I would say build that Dodge a Big Block. I just sold my last spare 340. Build that Coronet the 440 it deserves, there are a lot of mopar newbies out there who aint ever been in a big block b body. What a rush.....

 

[Bladecutter]

Keep the 340.....badges are a lot cheaper, save front brakes & tires,,,,a lot less understeer.....trounce 911/930s.
If i can do it with bone stock, no sway bar, 2 bbl 318's B Bods..You could sure as hell do it with a trik 340, stiffer torsions, phat sways, Konis & good rubber.....and still do the loco breath in a straight(boring)line....imo

 

[Bladecutter]

what other email?

Check out Darius's 70 RR w/ aluminum 5.7 Hemi.....i rode in it...it eats pavement the hell up.

 

[moparcrazy]

340 in a B~Body or 440 in a Big Body

440 fits the car better, as in its body type, if it where a A-Body then the 340 would be better, ...I Think Lol

 

[GetX'd]

Go for the 440 and sell the 340 to fund your purchases. Nothing like a big block power plant to make the heart beat of your car. As you've already stated they aren't hard to find and they're fun to build. Make it happen.

 

[polywideblock]

do you like to go around corners or is this just a straight line thing ?
less weight over the front end means less understeer and better handling

and there's a reason the 340 was called the "baby hemi "

 

[Bladecutter]

do you like to go around corners or is this just a straight line thing ?
less weight over the front end means less understeer and better handling

and there's a reason the 340 was called the "baby hemi "

Looking in a mirror! Save tires & brakes as well. Mighty Mouse.