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New Hemi vs Carb'd 383

J

Jhensler07

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Hey Everyone,

New here, been browsing for just a couple of days now.

I just took delivery of my new project, a 1967 Dodge Charger with a 383 in it.

I bought this car with the intention of swapping a spare Hemi 5.7 that I have lying around into it. I have the advantage of the fact that I already have this motor and the 545RFE as well.

My question is fairly simple, however. I figure that this is a better spot than any to ask your opinions on the advantages and disadvantages of doing the swap.

The 383 that is in the car now runs GREAT! It does need to be tuned, but it was recently (so I'm told) rebuilt, no knocks or weird noises. It does shift a little rougher than I would like, but I think I can handle that.

The 5.7 that I have came out of, if I recall correctly, a 2007 Dodge Ram with only about 6k miles on it.

I know that this is an opinion versus a breakdown of facts, there will always need to be a subjective decision made, but what I am looking for are the reasons that you all made the choice that you did.

The logisitics of the swap, I can handle. The cost is obviously a factor but not prohibitive. If the modern motor is clearly advantageous, but it costs a couple thousand more, I'm willing to take the hit.

I'll attach some photos of the new car as well. Just got it yesterday, so I haven't had a chance to compound it yet, don't judge!

Thanks very much in advance, hopefully I can get started on the swap (if that's where I go) early next week.
 

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It really comes down to originality vs. performance/everyday drivability. I had an 06 Charger Daytona (HEMI) and I now have a 70 Road Runner with a stock 383. In terms of performance, the Charger would blow the doors off my RR. Of course, the motor is just one part of the performance (suspension/handling, etc). The 5.7 is easily tunable and reliable. Does your Charger have the original 383? If so, you might want to keep it original.

- - - Updated - - -

Looks like a great car, BTW!!
 
I am pretty fond of the resto-mod look. I have been browsing these full IFS kits up front, which would throw all originality out the window. It's not a daily driver as I have a couple of other vehicles, but I will probably take it to the office once a week or more. I would rather not end up on the side of the road.

I also would not leave the 383 stock, however I don't want something that is running sub-11 1/4's. It's just not practical for the street, and really not what I'm looking for. I assume the cost to modify that motor at all would be significantly more expensive. Also, I assume that it would affect reliability significantly. I would really rather not worry about overheating.

Thanks for the kind words!
 
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Just do it. Nothing like getting in it in the morning, turn the key, and go. No waiting for it to warm up, better mileage, performance is not an issue as both can be "built". But, be prepared to cut up the floor for the 545rfe trans, it's huge!!
 
5.7 hemi said:
Just do it. Nothing like getting in it in the morning, turn the key, and go. No waiting for it to warm up, better mileage, performance is not an issue as both can be "built". But, be prepared to cut up the floor for the 545rfe trans, it's huge!!
Click to expand...

I agree with the turn-key thing. Can't beat that.

Also, this is exactly the response I'm looking for. Thanks very much!
 
kellycom said:
Why not fuel inject the 383? Here's a link to some pics of a setup and it looks really good. At a quick glance it looks carbed. (http://www.forcbodiesonly.com/mopar-forum/showthread.php?9156-few-pic-s-of-my-powerjection-EFI). I've got a a 383 in my 66 Charger and I love it. Yes the waiting for it to warm up and some stumbling isn't great. But I still have points in mine. I think fuel injecting the 383 would be pretty sweet.
Click to expand...

That's not a bad idea at all. I just briefly looked into it to see what options were out there and it looks like there are quite a few systems.

A quick google search yielded what looks like a few options, although they are quite pricy:
Summit Racing EFI Systems

I am sure that I could work those prices down or just pick and choose the parts that I need. I will have to do quite a bit more research on this.

Thanks for the reply!
 
kellycom said:
I almost forgot about this one here on the FBBO. Great guy!!! He's fuel injected his 440. (http://www.forbbodiesonly.com/moparforum/showthread.php?34252-My-64-Polara-Gen3-Hemi-Build/page8)

BTW nice looking Charger. Have any pics of the interior?
Click to expand...

That one looks like a read, but a good one at that. I will have to spend some time reading through his build as well, although it looks like he's really gone all out.

I will have to snap some when I get home tonight. The inside looks much better than the outside, if you disregard the rat's nest under the dash. :icon_eek:
 
brogers93 said:
It really comes down to originality vs. performance/everyday drivability. I had an 06 Charger Daytona (HEMI) and I now have a 70 Road Runner with a stock 383. In terms of performance, the Charger would blow the doors off my RR. Of course, the motor is just one part of the performance (suspension/handling, etc). The 5.7 is easily tunable and reliable. Does your Charger have the original 383? If so, you might want to keep it original.

- - - Updated - - -

Looks like a great car, BTW!!
Click to expand...

X2

I would add that if this car is going to be a daily or frequent driver, then the advantages of the new Hemi are greater. If you will only drive it occasionally, then you will do a lot of work for very limited reasons IMHO.

By the way, I WILL judge - NICE CAR!
 
My suggestion, put the 5.7l hemi in the Charger in front of the TQ 727, and drive it for a while. Then decide about a complete swap. Motor mounts available from TTi. The computer can reprogrammed
 
Plymouth63 said:
My suggestion, put the 5.7l hemi in the Charger in front of the TQ 727, and drive it for a while. Then decide about a complete swap. Motor mounts available from TTi. The computer can reprogrammed
Click to expand...

Based on your wording, I assume the 727 is the tranny that I have in there currently? Sorry for the ignorant question, I know I will find this out in my research. From my understanding, the modern 5.7 will bolt up to most any small block tranny, but the tranny currently installed would obviously be adapted to the big block in the car now. Are you saying that I could use the tranny in there now with the EFI 5.7?

Thanks for the response.

- - - Updated - - -

hsorman said:
X2

I would add that if this car is going to be a daily or frequent driver, then the advantages of the new Hemi are greater. If you will only drive it occasionally, then you will do a lot of work for very limited reasons IMHO.

By the way, I WILL judge - NICE CAR!
Click to expand...

It won't be a daily driver as I have a (forgive me) 2002 F150 with about 30k on it and a new Challenger, but I plan on driving the Charger maybe once or twice a week. To me, it seems like it is often enough that I do need to worry about reliability. Also, as I'm sure is the case with many of you, my driving record could do without a couple more points being on it. I am an insurance agent after all, I should know better.
 
I would not hack up a first generation Big Block Charger that runs good any more than I would let Chip Foose touch my Coronet. Slant 6 or 318? Yes. Not a 383. Legendary Big Block Panache cannot be duplicated. My new Challenger got 2 thousand miles last year. The Big Block got 10.

Reliable? I got a tuner that knows what he is doing. LA, Reno, Vegas, Utah and a lot of the rest of the Western US. Never let me down.
If the 2 to 4 barrel transition does not make you smile from ear to ear then you need to drive modern stuff.
 
The big block trans will need to be replaced with a small block trans. Could this be a deciding factor?
 
Sorry about the delayed response, I know you all put your lives on hold waiting for these interior pictures.

The interior is actually in really good shape, as far as the upholstery goes. Check it out:
20131122_122859.jpg20131122_122910.jpg20131122_122917.jpg20131122_122921.jpg20131122_122928.jpg

On another note, I have decided to go ahead and put the FI 5.7 in the car. The rat's nest under the hood as it sits would be almost as much work IMO.
 
Dennis H said:
I would not hack up a first generation Big Block Charger that runs good any more than I would let Chip Foose touch my Coronet. Slant 6 or 318? Yes. Not a 383. Legendary Big Block Panache cannot be duplicated. My new Challenger got 2 thousand miles last year. The Big Block got 10.

Reliable? I got a tuner that knows what he is doing. LA, Reno, Vegas, Utah and a lot of the rest of the Western US. Never let me down.
If the 2 to 4 barrel transition does not make you smile from ear to ear then you need to drive modern stuff.
Click to expand...

This was my concern. There IS something about that big block...

It was a hard decision, and honestly I haven't done anything irreversible just yet, but I just think the modern motor would have it's own flair as well.
 
The new modern motor can't be beat. Fuel Injection is worth it. I hate carbs. But if the 383 is in running condition and not burning oil. Whuy spend the money.
 
Don't listen to him, lol! Start wrenching, and post pics!
 
5.7 hemi said:
Don't listen to him, lol! Start wrenching, and post pics!
Click to expand...

X2

You can't beat the drive ability of the new hemi. Not to mention the cool factor when the hood goes up. It's the way to go especially if you intent to put a lot of miles on her.

My Dad just bought a nearly identical Charger. I'm working on him to do a g3 swap in the next year or two.

Nice car.

Good luck and keep us posted.
 
The Big block will make more torque, but the Modern Hemi which actually is a Poly-spherical Combustion chambered motor wil run better and tolerate Crap gas better. This engine is a marvel. To build a real hemi is just too expensive for most and you can't beat this motor. Chrysler is going to reease the new Scott heads soon which will be a real Hemi combustion chamber. The apache heads are a close second. But you just will love the way it runs.
 
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