440 rods and ci

[Geoff 2]

Unless this engine was going to see 7000+ rpm, using longer rods would be a veeeeeeeeeeeeery bad idea. The 383 already has a very large rod/stroke ratio of 1.88 [ 454 Chev is 1.53 ], which reduces low speed tq. Increasing the rod length would only make it worse.
Cam grinder Sig Erson was ahead of the curve & realised this.
Below is the warning in the Erson cam catalog. This warning only appears for the BB Chrys, no other engine....

 

[dvw]

Easy way to calculate 8 cylinder displacement. bore x bore x stroke x .7854 x 8. Example a stock 440 4.32 x 4.32 x 3.75 x .7854 x 8 = 439.732
Doug