Help me with engine choice for my '80 project
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 211
Likes: 20
From: Raleigh NC
Help me with engine choice for my '80 project
I'm struggling. There's a few things I know I want. Must be roller, cast iron heads, & must be automatic w/ overdrive. It will be a beefed up 700r4 since I already have a crossmember and a driveshaft from a '82
Car will be driven. I got a '92 a few yrs ago and have put 4000 miles on it so I expect 2000-3000 per yr on this '80 when I'm done. A good amount of the miles will be highway and with od rpm's will likely be 2000 or less.
I've narrowed it down to two different small blocks. A 350 w/ 375hp and 400 ft/lbs of torque and a 383 stroker with 420hp and 440 ft/lbs. They both have similar cams. Both are 110 degree lsa and the 350 has .495 lift and the 383 has .510 lift.
Difference in cost isn't a big factor, only $1000 difference. I'm pretty sure I'd be more than happy with the 350 but when talking to people it would be cooler to say I've got a stroker...right?
Do y'all (I'm from NC
) think either engine would be happy trudging along at 2000 rpm's for a few hrs from time to time? I want to cruise but also be able to show rice burners what's up if they get froggy.
Car will be driven. I got a '92 a few yrs ago and have put 4000 miles on it so I expect 2000-3000 per yr on this '80 when I'm done. A good amount of the miles will be highway and with od rpm's will likely be 2000 or less.
I've narrowed it down to two different small blocks. A 350 w/ 375hp and 400 ft/lbs of torque and a 383 stroker with 420hp and 440 ft/lbs. They both have similar cams. Both are 110 degree lsa and the 350 has .495 lift and the 383 has .510 lift.
Difference in cost isn't a big factor, only $1000 difference. I'm pretty sure I'd be more than happy with the 350 but when talking to people it would be cooler to say I've got a stroker...right?
Do y'all (I'm from NC
) think either engine would be happy trudging along at 2000 rpm's for a few hrs from time to time? I want to cruise but also be able to show rice burners what's up if they get froggy.
Last edited by 2airtime2; Sep 20, 2017 at 07:19 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
375hp 350 isnt that impressive it will be fun for a day or two get the 383
big block like torque in a sbc package youll love it
big block like torque in a sbc package youll love it
Last edited by cv67; Sep 20, 2017 at 09:27 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,116
Likes: 598
I am guessing you might be unhappy with either.
Eg test drive a C7 Z51 car see how it feels. If this is to your liking
then you have an idea of what you need. 455+ hp 2.97 1st gear with a 3.42 rear gear.
Your current choice will not give you the same feeling
383 + TH700r4 + 3.55 rear will be close, but if you don't like the C7 then you need more HP/Torque
Decide on how fast you want the car.
Use 1/4mile times or 1/4mile MPH as a goal and find out what is required to get you their.
Nice thing about using 1/4 mile info there are many tests of factory cars showing these results. Test drive these cars to see if you like it.
