jsup

Opinions? Pros, cons, etc....

Pete K

Which one do you prefer?

rklessdriver

The only difference is the bore. Does your machinest feel like making it 4.030 or 4.060?
Will

John A. Marker

You will get a little more power from the 388, but nothing to write home (or post) about. But you are at the limit of the block. If anything goes wrong now or the future and you have to rebuild you will need a new block if you go 388.

jsup

Don't konw..that's what I am trying to figure out.

Pete K

Are you asking what the differences are?
Or are you wondering if a stroker is better than a 377 destroked 400?

jsup

Yes, trying to see what my options are while staying with a small block.

Pete K

In that case it opens up the stroked, 400 block as well. 350 thru 440 cubes easily done with a shortblock.
Food for thought.

MK 82

The difference may show up as a very small number on a dyno. Not apparent to the SOTP.

If you buy the 388, your block is bored to the max for minimal gain. With your track record, that leaves no room to recover from the next crisis/drama.

JackDidley

Have you thought about just buying a Z06 ? Instant horsepower. No mods needed. If I went through all the stuff you have, I would consider it. Less stress and maybe even less $$$.

MK 82

Then what would we do for entertainment?

hexane

You can make a 388 with the 3.800" crank GM has in their ZZ383 or HT383 crate motors, as long as the bore is 0.030" over. 393 if it is 0.060" over.

jsup

You kill me. You're probably right....

I like the rumble of the older style cars.

I have no choice at this point but to fix the problem. I can't sell it this way.

JackDidley

What was I thinking ? We would have to recruit some noobs.

RandyJ75

Plenty of those around. Me included

Question: The '90 has a one piece rear main seal, but the 400 block has a two piece rear main seal, correct? So could he still use the same transmission? The reason I ask is that I believe the flywheels are different, and not interchagable.

rklessdriver

Yes. Fidanza makes a FW specifically for the ZF6 and 2 pc rear seal SBC, it has bolt on counterweights and can be balanced to what ever it needs to be. If he has a 4+3, he only need a stock 400 FW and the correct 168 tooth starter. If its and auto then he just needs a stock 400 flex plate and 168 tooth starter.
Will

jsup

http://www.chevyhiperformance.com/te...ion/index.html

377s spin up faster than 383s....what do you guys think of this?

93lt1fun

Why not a 396? .030 over / 5.875 rods. I have a More Peformance 396 that has been running strong for 10 years.

I think you can bigger also, 409? 427?

Bigger the better in my opinion as long as the cost is relatively close!

88BlackZ-51

I debated about doing a 383 or a 396, but then after talking to some guys with some biggers strokers, i.e. 406, 421, and 434 the decision was made not to do a 383.

It's up to you obviously, but I would add more cubic inches to your thoughts. I am doing a 421 with a small set of heads, and a small cam. It has almost no choice but to make at least 500chp/530tq, and I wont have to wear a gas mask driving it.

Our cars are older technology. I have come to the conclusion that if you dont plan to turbo or to supercharge it, throw as many cubic inches at it as you can afford. With the bigger cubes you wont need to rev the **** out of it as well. In saying that my motor isnt cheap, but the price difference in building it versus a 383 was a no brainer.

Take it easy!

88BlackZ-51

If you build something with cubes, you wont need to spin it. Cubes means torque everywhere and at all times.