Would you?

[Scout63]

Here’s a link to the test run:

 

[496 polara]

That 440 may make it less fun to cruise but it would fun to row the gears on it. That should easily break the 500hp mark.

 

[Blusmbl]

That will be a little softer than your 383 now at cruise rpm but it shouldn't be too obnoxious to drive, the duration numbers aren't insane and the idle sounds reasonable-ish.

I had a '68 Charger with a 440 and 4 speed that had the usual old school build - headers, 0.509 cam, 750 double pumper Holley, ported 906 heads. For various reasons, at one point I had everything from a 4.30 to 2.76 rear gear in the car. It drove ok-ish with the 2.76 rear gear, but was about a second slower in the 1/4 mile just from the gear swap. A cam like what you've got really needs a gear swap to perform well, especially with a manual trans.

 

[John Hatchard]

Its a good question indeed!
Upgrade and go faster, but when?

We did the 440ci upgrade from a 383ci and it didn't seem to be that much better.
So we went a little further and got a 512ci and it was really fast, (13.20 in D)!

But it soon wore off, with the bad gas mileage and folks didn't seem to care it had 8 litres.
So its back to a hot 383ci and grocery getting again...

Yep it would have run a 'twelve' at the 1320 but the Feds said ''NO'' its too fast without,
A full roll cage and a proper seat (no bench) with a full harness, blah, blah, blah...

 

[BigWally]

There are mostly "originalists" at the "CBodies" forum, and I am one of them. I would put a stock style radiator back in and leave the 383, itz a bruiser on itz own.
You asked....haha!
BTW, I love your car, 4 spd....soooo good!

 

[Scout63]

Thanks Wally. The 383 is safe for now. The car is so easy and fun to drive. Love the forum. Ben

 

[Big_John]

The car is so easy and fun to drive.

That is what these cars should be... Fun to drive!