Whats the difference between a 348 and a 409?
The 348 and 409 engines are two iconic V8 powerplants produced by Chevrolet in the late 1950s and early 1960s. While they share some similarities, there are distinct differences in their displacement, performance characteristics, and applications. This article will explore the key distinctions between these two classic Chevy engines.
Engine Displacement and Specifications
The primary difference between the 348 and 409 engines is their displacement. The 348 engine has a displacement of 348 cubic inches (5.7 liters), while the 409 engine has a larger displacement of 409 cubic inches (6.7 liters). The 409 engine's larger displacement allows it to produce more power and torque compared to the 348.
In terms of other specifications, the 348 engine features a bore and stroke of 4.125 inches x 3.25 inches, while the 409 engine has a bore and stroke of 4.312 inches x 3.50 inches. The 409 engine also has a higher compression ratio, typically ranging from 11.0:1 to 11.25:1, compared to the 348's compression ratio of 10.5:1 to 11.0:1.
Performance Characteristics
The increased displacement and higher compression ratio of the 409 engine translate to greater power and torque output compared to the 348. The 409 engine was available in various performance configurations, with horsepower ranging from 360 to 425 horsepower, while the 348 engine produced between 280 and 335 horsepower.
The 409 engine's superior performance made it a popular choice for high-performance applications, such as in the Chevrolet Impala SS and Bel Air models, as well as in various racing applications. In contrast, the 348 engine was more commonly found in more mainstream Chevrolet models, such as the Bel Air and Impala, and was not as widely used in high-performance or racing applications.
Applications and Usage
The 348 engine was introduced in 1958 and was produced until 1961, while the 409 engine was introduced in 1961 and was produced until 1965. The 348 engine was primarily used in Chevrolet's full-size passenger cars, such as the Bel Air and Impala, as well as in some light-duty trucks.
The 409 engine, on the other hand, was primarily used in high-performance Chevrolet models, such as the Impala SS and Bel Air, and was also used in some light-duty trucks. The 409 engine's increased power and performance made it a popular choice for enthusiasts and racers, and it became a legendary engine in its own right.
In summary, the key differences between the 348 and 409 engines are their displacement, performance characteristics, and applications. The 409 engine's larger displacement, higher compression ratio, and greater power output made it the more powerful and sought-after option, particularly for high-performance and racing applications.
Is a 350 or 383 stroker better?
Why A Stroker, You Ask? The biggest advantage to putting a crankshaft from a Chevy 400 into a 350 block to produce 383 cubic inches is that more displacement equals more power. Also, the longer crank throw produces more downward thrust, which translates into torque.
Why is a stroker engine better?
As its name implies, a stroker is where we increase engine displacement by increasing piston stroke. When we increase stroke, we take the piston deeper in the cylinder bore, which increases displacement. The longer the stroke, the greater the fuel/air charge.
What is the difference between a 348 and 409?
One half of the move from 348 to 409 was an increase of . 1875 inches in the cylinder bore. A stock 348 has a bore of 4.125 inches and a 409 has the bigger bore of 4.3125 inches. The other half was the stroke change from 348s to 409s that went from 3.25 to 3.50 inches for a net gain of a quarter inch.
What are the disadvantages of a stroker engine?
Cons- Cost. Some are very expensive. Potential RPM range loss. Depending how nice the factory set was, you may loose top RPM range due to longer stroke.
Can a 348 be made into a 409?
Unfortunately, a 0.060-over 348's final 4.185-inch bore-size still ends up 0.1275-inch smaller than even a stock 409's 4.3125-inch-diameter cylinders. (And if you're wondering about boring a 348 out to 409, the answer is: Nearly always never—it would amount to a 3/16-inch (0.1875) overbore!
What was special about the 409?
The 409 featured a 4.31-inch bore and 3.5-inch stroke. The intake valves were 2.06 inches and fit next to 1.72-inch exhaust valves. Both actuated by a mechanical camshaft that fed air and fuel to forged pistons that created more than 11:1 compression. With its single four-barrel carb, the engine was rated at 360 hp.
What's so special about a 383 stroker?
The increased piston speed and long-volume stroke also allows the fuel to stay better atomized due to the change in intake pulses and an increased air speed over the valve. Performance Upgrades: Performance parts are manufactured to flow more air, rendering more power. The 383 will flow more air with less engine rpm.
What is needed to make a 350 into a 383 stroker?
The 383 small-block recipe is one almost every enthusiast knows: mix a 0.030-over 350 block with the 3.750-inch crankshaft from a 400 engine to deliver the long-strong combination. By the way: The standard 4.000-inch bores of the 350 plus the 3.750-inch stroke creates a 377-inch stroker.
How much horsepower does a 348 stroker have?
For right around $700 the stroke of a 348 can be increased from 3.25 to 4.0 inches, resulting in 434 ci. Recently Beck built a stroked 348 with virtually the identical components we used in our engine—the result was 473 hp and 507 lb-ft of torque. That's almost 100 hp and over 160 more lb-ft of torque.
How do you tell a 409 from a 348?
The most obvious is the dipstick location. The 348 has it on the left, or driver side; the 409 has it on the right, or passenger side. However, since the pans are interchangeable, it's a simple matter to make one look like the other. Another telltale indicator is the crankshaft flange.
