The Chrysler 383 V8 engine was first seen in 1959 and was produced up through 1971. This motor was one of Chrysler’s most widely used engines in the 60s and was found in a large amount of Chrysler, Dodge and Plymouth models. The total production numbers for the 383 are somewhere in the 3 million range so finding parts for them these days is not difficult at all.
The 383 V8 became so popular mainly due to the fact that it was so versatile. It was found in more family oriented cars like the Chrysler 300 and Newport as well as muscle cars like the Dodge Charger and Plymouth Barracuda. In the mid to late 60s the 383 was a great alternative for performance enthusiast who couldn’t get a 440 V8 or 426 V8 engine. Horsepower for the engine ranged anywhere from 270 up to 335 depending of course on the compression and carburetor setup.
Like most of the powerhouse motors of the 60s increased emission laws in the US ended up killing off the 383 for the 1972 model year. Nowadays with simple bolt on performance parts, you can easily get 100+ more horsepower out of a stock Chrysler 383 V8 without killing your wallet. For more information be sure to check out this article from Mopar Muscle Magazine.
1959 - 1964 with 2 barrel carb Chrysler ModelsMax Brake Horsepower = 305 @ 4600 rpmMax Torque = 410 @ 2800 rpmStroke = 3.75Bore = 4.031Compression = 10.0Firing Order = 18436572 1965 - 1967 with 2 barrel carb Chrysler ModelsMax Brake Horsepower = 270 @ 4400 rpmMax Torque = 390 @ 2800 rpmStroke = 3.375Bore = 4.25Compression = 9.2Firing Order = 18436572 1968 - 1969 with 2 barrel carb All ModelsMax Brake Horsepower = 290 @ 4400 rpmMax Torque = 390 @ 2800 rpmStroke = 3.375Bore = 4.25Compression = 9.2Firing Order = 18436572 1959 - 1961 with 4 barrel carb Chrysler ModelsMax Brake Horsepower = 325 @ 4600 rpmMax Torque = 425 @ 2800 rpmStroke = 3.75Bore = 4.031Compression = 10.0Firing Order = 18436572 1959 with 4 barrel carb Dodge D500Max Brake Horsepower = 320 @ 4600 rpmMax Torque = 420 @ 2800 rpmStroke = 3.75Bore = 4.031Compression = 10.0Firing Order = 18436572 1959 with 4 barrel carb Dodge Super D500Max Brake Horsepower = 345 @ 5000 rpmMax Torque = 420 @ 3600 rpmStroke = 3.75Bore = 4.031Compression = 10.0Firing Order = 18436572 1960 - 1961 with 2 X 4 barrel carbs Dodge ModelsMax Brake Horsepower = 330 @ 4800 rpmMax Torque = 460 @ 2800 rpmStroke = 3.375Bore = 4.25Compression = 10.0Firing Order = 18436572 1963 with 4 barrel carb Dodge ModelsMax Brake Horsepower = 320 @ 4600 rpmMax Torque = 430 @ 2800 rpmStroke = 3.375Bore = 4.25Compression = 10.0Firing Order = 18436572 1963 with 2 X 4 barrel carbs Dodge ModelsMax Brake Horsepower = 325 @ 5200 rpmMax Torque = 420 @ 3600 rpmStroke = 3.375Bore = 4.25Compression = 10.0Firing Order = 18436572 1962 and 1964 - 1965 with 4 barrel carb Dodge ModelsMax Brake Horsepower = 330 @ 4600 rpmMax Torque = 425 @ 2800 rpmStroke = 3.375Bore = 4.25Compression = 10.0Firing Order = 18436572 1965 - 1967 with 4 barrel carb Chrysler ModelsMax Brake Horsepower = 325 @ 4800 rpm (315 @ 4400 rpm for 1965)Max Torque = 425 @ 2900 rpm (420 @ 2800 rpm for 1965)Stroke = 3.375Bore = 4.25Compression = 10.0Firing Order = 18436572 1969 - 1970 with 4 barrel carb Dodge and Plymouth ModelsMax Brake Horsepower = 335 @ 5000 rpmMax Torque = 425 @ 3400 rpmStroke = 3.375Bore = 4.25Compression = 9.5Firing Order = 18436572 1971 with 4 barrel carbMax Brake Horsepower = 300 @ 4800 rpmMax Torque = 410 @ 3400 rpmStroke = 3.375Bore = 4.25Compression = 8.5Firing Order = 18436572 