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[Paul_G]

I am searching for an e-body right now. I am finding quite a few 340 cars for sale, not too many 440 cars. Most of the 440 cars I am finding are transplants. Same with the 340 cars but not to the same scale. It looks like there were more 340 cars produced perhaps? Or maybe the 440 cars got beat to death and scrapped? Either way 440 cars are little harder to find. Especially with A/C, and near impossible with A/C and a manual trans.

So I am wondering if it is worth the time and effort to search out a 440 car, or go with a 340 car? Is there that much of a performance difference on the street?

I have owned several 318's back in the day. A recent 440, which is gone now. Never had a 340 or 360.

[Super Blue 72]

I wonder if ti depends on the year cars you are looking at?  I found that a lot of the '72-'74 cars that I have seen for sale locally are 440 cars, transplants as you would call them as the biggest engine for '72-'73 were the 340, '74 was the 360.

If a 440 car is really what 's your hearts desire, keep looking.  I have never driven a 440 E-body but I would imagine the straightline performance would be much greater in a 440 car vs. a 340... although a 340 car would handle better I would guess.  340 cars are pretty cool though and have pretty good performance potential.  There a  few members that have stroked 340s that are pretty fast.

[Moparal]

Wow Super Blue....did you rehearse that?   Very good.         Im a big block man myself.

I dont think they made a 4spd 440 with ac.  383 yes

[Paul_G]

Wow Super Blue....did you rehearse that?   Very good.         Im a big block man myself.

I dont think they made a 4spd 440 with ac.  383 yes

I wouldnt doubt that. That could be why I cant find any.

I found a 74 'Cuda nearby with a transplanted 440, factory A/C and a Slap Stick 727. Great body on it, been restored a few years ago. Even has round tube frame stiffeners on it. Engine ran sweet. Suspension was all wrong and the interior was tired. It could be converted to a manual I guess?

[426HEMI]

If you want it bad enough it can be changed.   

[ladman]

I am searching for an e-body right now. I am finding quite a few 340 cars for sale, not too many 440 cars. Most of the 440 cars I am finding are transplants. Same with the 340 cars but not to the same scale. It looks like there were more 340 cars produced perhaps? Or maybe the 440 cars got beat to death and scrapped? Either way 440 cars are little harder to find. Especially with A/C, and near impossible with A/C and a manual trans.

So I am wondering if it is worth the time and effort to search out a 440 car, or go with a 340 car? Is there that much of a performance difference on the street?

I have owned several 318's back in the day. A recent 440, which is gone now. Never had a 340 or 360.

It all depends on what you want the functionality to be.  There are members who are focused on numbers matching/original cars and there are those, like me, who want it to their taste.  If you're only going to drive it to local car shows/cruises, then maybe you forego the AC.  Not sure where you live.  I want to drive a car that makes me feel good and piques the interest of others.  My car has no wipers, no heater and no sound system.  Basically a street groundpounder built to go red light to red light.  I totally respect those who are more the purists, as I love cars in general and not just Mopars.  Buy and/or build what you want, not what you think others may or may not like or approve of.   
 

[Super Blue 72]

Wow Super Blue....did you rehearse that?   Very good.         Im a big block man myself.

I dont think they made a 4spd 440 with ac.  383 yes

I have big block envy.   

My car has a 340 in it all stock but I keep a 383 in the corner of the garage due to big block envy.   

BUT, if my memory serves me right (Which it usually does not.... ) a member here that is a Mopar wiz (Don't want to mention his name for fear I might misquote him.) said that he hasn't seen a 383 E-body faster than a 340, assumably stock.  I guess it's the HP vs weight compromise.

I still remember the black '73 or '74 you sold.  That was a great deal!!!

[426HEMI]

I have had several big block cars.  I still prefer the small blocks over the big blocks.

[67vertman]

I have had several big block cars.  I still prefer the small blocks over the big blocks.

Please expand on this statement, better handling car, cheaper to build, more torque/HP

I too want a big block car, however, I would love to hear more options and opinions on a 340 versus 440 and not just it’s a big block. 

I have owned both big blocks and small block cars, just not an E-Body though.  To me the big block offers more torque and horse power and usable power band for the money spent. The small block is higher revving and shorter power band, but handles better on the road.  So to me it’s just a preference of the car owner. 

I would like to hear others opinions on this topic though.

[426HEMI]

Well the 440 6 pack cuda I had did have a lot of power.  The 318 I put a 6 pack on had plenty of power also.   I just like the power band on the small blocks I can make them go good and almost as good as a 383 or 400 or a 440.  I just like the feel and sound of a good small block wheather it is a 340 360 318 or 273 they all sound good to me and sweeter than the big block cars.  This is just me.   I have had a lot of cars and I love the small block cars.  Power is one thing but I like and prefer the small blocks for sound and power band for everday driving.  I raced a small block 64 barracuda and it was cool and did very well.

[cudadave72]

340s are JUNK and have no power potential....440 all the way!!!!

[426HEMI]

340 are cool have to disagree there Dave.   

[Chryco Psycho]

I have owned both , the massive tq with the big block is addictive

[Katfish]

Why not the best of both, I've always thought I'd love a SB stoker.  Light weight and plenty of cubes.

[bb71challenger]

I have owned both , the massive tq with the big block is addictive

That is exactly what hooked me way back when my mom used to punch our Coronet 440. That 440-4 would just push me back in the seat like a carnival ride. Always loved the split wrap-around bumper too. The only thing that sucked about that car was that it was a sedan.