What engine to get?

[Elyod413]

I have a 71 Challenger 340. I need to get it rebuilt but I'm thinking that I may just go more cubic inches. I have a neighbor who has a 440 sitting in his garage and he said he would sell. The only thing is I like the 340, it seems like most every Mopar I see has a 440. On the other hand I want to put some muscle into my car. Is the 440 going to give me a lot of power without costing nearly as much as the 340 to produce the same numbers?

[mopartodd]

Elyod413. If you do a 440, you have to add the cost of a tranny since they don't interchange. This is a tough question, but interesting. Depends on your intentions. If your car is basicaly original, engine tranny, blah, blah,... I would keep it that way. The 340 can be very formitable in a street car. Depends on your budget I suppose. Personally, I can't see trying to feed that 440. I would love to have one though. It will be interesting to see what kind of replies this topic brings. Good luck.

[tim]

Elyod413, I spent about 4,000. Canadian on my 73 340 with 727 trans . Ended up side by side with a 68 charger with 440 6 pack at red light. Oh oh what do ya do away we go, side by side all the way, what a rush. Took er up to 5800 on the tach, with a little practice know I can do better.Seen this guy a week later and he says, ya know I don,t usually have a problem with a little 340. I just smiled.Good luck on your decision. Tim

------------------
73bcuda

[slepr1]

My $0.02,
It all depends on the price you wanna pay to go fast. To get a 12 second Challenger with a 340 will cost more than with a 440. Once you get in the "speed game" it will never end. Your next upgrade
will be gearing, then traction, suspension tricks, head work, faster--must go faster...on and on. I myself like 440's, always have. Try this...Keep the 340 and your 904 tranny as a spare unit, rebuild to stock or slightly cammed. Get that 440 and make a killing machine. I'm talking; up the compression to 10.5:1, port & polish the heads, 509 cam, 750 or 850 Holley Dbl.Pumper, good intake and high volume/ high strength everything else. Now you can play with the big boys ;-)

------------------
SLepr1
Mopar Or NoCar

1973 Cuda 440
-stock 440,727,4:10,750 holley
-chicks love it

1977 Cordoba (slepr1)
-440,484,4:30,3000,
750Holley,10:1,loves premium gas,premium chicks,any gm or phord, especially at the stop light.