Crate hemi or built 440?

[koosh]

Have real nice 69 RR, 383, 4 speed. No fender tag, not numbers matching. Would like to add some 'gidde-up' with either a crate hemi, (no not a REAL 426), or built 440....but not sure which would be better to re-sell the car?

 

[Mike67]

Hemi would be nice but I dont think it will return the additional $20k you would spend for it.
I think the 383/4 speed combo gives you the best chance even though it's not a numbers matching car. ..
Post some pics!

 

[koosh]

Hemi would be nice but I dont think it will return the additional $20k you would spend for it.
I think the 383/4 speed combo gives you the best chance even though it's not a numbers matching car. ..

Im looking at crate 392's plug and play for $6k?

 

[Cncguy1]

I'm debating doing the same only I'm thinking a differential upgrade and Trans upgrade is going to be necessary.

 

[Mike67]

Thats a big difference, thought you were refering to a 572...I still think keeping the car as close to original will bring the most return...

 

[koosh]

I'm debating doing the same only I'm thinking a differential upgrade and Trans upgrade is going to be necessary.

Why is that? Wouldnt 8 3/4 rear and 833 4 speed handle it?

 

[koosh]

Thsts a big difference, thought you were refering to a 572...I still think keeping the car as close to original will being the most return...

You could b right my friend!

 

[STREETREBEL]

If I wanted a 392, I would buy a newer car with it in it.
If I wanted an old Mopar, I would want that era engine in it!

 

[Lefty71]

I know others may disagree, but ive not been much of a fan of the GenIII hemi in the older cars. It can be done nicely, but to make a nice restomod will cost $$$$, and still maybe not be a good return. The cheapest thing to do to accomplish your goal of some omphf is stroke the 383, since you have almost everything you need. If you can pick up a proper vintage 440, stroke that and youll get a nice return on your investment, but make sure you enjoy it yourself for a while. Just my two cents, Lefty71

 

[Cncguy1]

Why is that? Wouldnt 8 3/4 rear and 833 4 speed handle it?

I have a 23 spline trans and 8 3/4 I don't think they are rated for 600hp
I would upgrade to a passon 5 speed and M Moser Dana.

 

[dla4567]

I would do a 440, not a fan of new engines in old cars.

 

[33 IMP]

Where in the.world can you get a 392 plug-and-play for six grand? Does that include abou two grand worth of electronics to get it to work right?

 

[Hemirunner]

I’d do a 400 block based build. 3.91 or 4.15 crank, trick flow heads, Indy mod man intake with a 2-4 top with a FAST dual TBI injection system and an oval
Airgrabber setup on top. Add some coyote duster decals and keep it disguised. Old world looks with new era performance.

 

[Bb70charger500]

He wants a little giddy up not a race car leave the 383 throw some Goody's on it mayvm do fuel injection . 4-500 hp is more then enough in a driver the 4 speed will be fine as will the rear . Don't over build the car you will cut alot of potential buyers out that want a d.d. as fun as my last charger was 440 4 speed about 500 hp it wasntw enjoyable to drive like my small block 318 cars

 

[rlem1977]

I'll through in $0.02, since I have a nickel in the pocket. Today we do have engine options that are really cool. The success of the GM LS swaps, now the Mopar Hemi swaps. So many packages that have been designed so we can put new technology in old school cool. The LS swaps became the rage, now we see builders begin to keep the older blocks again. I see the same with the Mopar crate Hemi, it'll ramp up, then settle out.

I have a '70 Super Bee 383. Thought about the engine choices a lot. I decided to keep the 383. Plenty of ways to build a perfectly respectable street engine with 400 horsepower. I want some benefits of new technology so I'm looking at the Holley FI systems to run, with timing control. For me, the car was cool when new, so I'll help it a little, but keep it mostly original, enjoyable, and reliable.

Have fun with the RR, I'm sure it will real nice whichever way you go.

 

[PurpleBeeper]

OK, here's my 2-cents also... Goal #1 (maintain re-sale value vs. money you put into the car) + Goal #2 (go faster).
I would be inclined to stroke the 383 you have & keep it looking original (maybe a carburetor change). You will get a substantial increase in horsepower at a reasonable cost + keep the car looking stock. I think this gives you the least money invested, best re-sale value & good horsepower improvement. If you need more than 450 horsepower, add a nitrous system while you own it & take it off when you sell the car.

The reason I say all this is that you never get the money out of car that you invest in it (unless you buy it ultra cheap and/or it's a 1 of 3 Hemi Cuda or something). If you didn't want to go faster, then rebuilding it all stock would bring the most money at re-sale. This way it's much faster & still "looks" stock.

 

[moparcrazy]

Personally I like the 440 with a 4-speed, I think it would be really fun, but I also like the 392 New school hemi but why stop there id include either a 6-speed Manual or the 6-speed automatic to complete the transformation, like a pro-touring car with bigger wheels and all.

 

[koosh]

I dont get---- getting 400-450 hp out of a 383? It does have Edelbrock aluminum intake with 850 Demon carb.... illegedly rebuilt witha cam about 1000 miles ago, and i think its a pig.... mind you my last ride wax a 31 ford with a 383 stroker small block that FLEW

 

[Hemirunner]

I dont get---- getting 400-450 hp out of a 383? It does have Edelbrock aluminum intake with 850 Demon carb.... illegedly rebuilt witha cam about 1000 miles ago, and i think its a pig.... mind you my last ride wax a 31 ford with a 383 stroker small block that FLEW

It’s a small cube, 3.38 stroke crank engine in a big car. It’s gonna be a pig unless it’s built to be turned 8500rpm and you’ve got 488 gears to get it to move which would be a horrible street combo.

 

[PurpleBeeper]

I dont get---- getting 400-450 hp out of a 383? It does have Edelbrock aluminum intake with 850 Demon carb.... illegedly rebuilt witha cam about 1000 miles ago, and i think its a pig.... mind you my last ride wax a 31 ford with a 383 stroker small block that FLEW

Put in a stroker kit & turn your 383 into a 480-500 cubic inch motor (or whatever 383's stroke to) and you can get 400-450 horsepower in a very streetable combination. A 440 is another good way to get there, but you already have the 383 motor & it "looks stock"