When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
In the next month or so I will be ordering a new engine for my 1979 to replace the tired L48. Does anyone have any experience with the Blueprint 396 small block? I am trying to decide between that or the 383, and the $500 difference in price will end up as a rounding error relative to the rest of the car.
The car currently has a T5 out of an 89 Camaro, but will be getting replaced (probably with a TKO 600, not sure yet) when the engine goes in. The front suspension and steering are all rebuilt with factory style parts and the rear will be getting done this spring. The rear end is original and seems to work well, so I am not planning to do anything now except change the oil. Tires are BFGs on 15" rims, and I am planning to stay that way. No sticky tires in the future for this car. The car will rarely see a track (1-2 times a year), and will mostly be driven around town and on some long road trips.
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
More power is not always better, but it is more fun. When you swap in the new engine , you wan tot match the motor torque to what the tranny can handle. THe T5 will definitely get eaten up buy either of your choices. The TKO 600 is rated for 600 ft/lbs so thats a good option. You could also look into Richmond 5 or 6 speeds or a T56 magnum. THeT56 may require some tunnel work. As for your motor choice I like the sound of saying 396 vs 383. Everyone has a 383 now a days and it reminds me of Chrysler cars. A 396 was always a cool chevy motor, even if yours is a small block. Gas mileage is going to be about the same but a 5 speed is going to help you alot. But dont expect to use it below 50mph on the back roads depending on your gearing choices.
Back in the day, the saying was “there is no replacement for displacement”. I might argue that HP/lb is better, but hey to each his own.
I have the Blueprint 396 sbc in my ‘69 and their 427 sbc in my ‘64. Both have EFI and are backed by a TKO600. I would go with the 396 given the better torque curve and more balanced bore/stroke ratio (3.875” with a 6” rod vs. 3.750” with a 5.7” rod). Both my cars are a blast to drive and frankly yours will to too regardless of the 383 or the 396. Have fun!
First one is actually a 385 cube engine as it is .040" over bore. Ignore that and look at the parts differences. Opinion based only on the advertsed specs......
First one has hypereutectic cast pistons, used block bored .040", external balanced, cast crank.
The more expensive one has a brand new 4.00" bore block, forged pistons, better 6" rods, forged crank, part interrnaly balanced. You are paying little money for the much better parts. I would do it.
Back in the day, the saying was “there is no replacement for displacement”. I might argue that HP/lb is better, but hey to each his own.
I have the Blueprint 396 sbc in my ‘69 and their 427 sbc in my ‘64. Both have EFI and are backed by a TKO600. I would go with the 396 given the better torque curve and more balanced bore/stroke ratio (3.875” with a 6” rod vs. 3.750” with a 5.7” rod). Both my cars are a blast to drive and frankly yours will to too regardless of the 383 or the 396. Have fun!
Mark
Hi Mark.
Between a 396 and the 427 is there a real difference?
Are you using holley EFI ?
The 427 sbc in my ‘64 has a Holley Sniper EFI. The 396 in the ‘69 has a FAST EZ EFI. Honestly, they both sound and perform. The 427 has a dual 3” exhaust into a single Magnaflow muffler at the back. The 396 dual 2 1/2” with an X-pipe mid way going into two mufflers in the stock position. I cannot really tell the different, but I haven’t driven either to their full potential, yet. The 427 sounds meaner and has 40 more HP, but the 396 is no slouch. I think the 396 is more than enough unless you are racing regularly.
The 427 sbc in my ‘64 has a Holley Sniper EFI. The 396 in the ‘69 has a FAST EZ EFI. Honestly, they both sound and perform. The 427 has a dual 3” exhaust into a single Magnaflow muffler at the back. The 396 dual 2 1/2” with an X-pipe mid way going into two mufflers in the stock position. I cannot really tell the different, but I haven’t driven either to their full potential, yet. The 427 sounds meaner and has 40 more HP, but the 396 is no slouch. I think the 396 is more than enough unless you are racing regularly.
Thanks.
Self learning is working at idle? With my 383 big cam it doesn't.
Is it street friendly? With a 4 speed manual.
My 383 is around 500hp but it is such a pain to drive it on the street...
Thanks.
Self learning is working at idle? With my 383 big cam it doesn't.
Is it street friendly? With a 4 speed manual.
My 383 is around 500hp but it is such a pain to drive it on the street...
What makes it a pain to drive on the street?
To the Original Poster of this thread. Go for the 396.
This is a video of first start with the 427. Very rough at first, but you can hear it smooth out. It’s been great ever since, but frankly the more cam and lower the idle vacuum the more some deliberate tuning will benefit the engine. It likes to leave a little patch of rubber or it sometimes bucks a bit if you try to feather it too much, but after that is perfect. Turn it up!
From: Arizona - If you don’t know CFI, STOP proliferating the myths around it...
I have nothing to add here, but before I built my 383 I was heavily considering building a 396 since that is not a common build for a SB and just 396 sounds badass. In retrospect, I should have built the 396. Good luck and post up what you decide and how it goes.
To the Original Poster of this thread. Go for the 396.
I have a lot of vibrations (issue with balancing or clutch I guess).
Vacuum is really low, so self learning doesn't work well, nor brake booster.
It doesn't like <1500rpm, with a manuel it is a bit annoying.
Fuel consumption is really bad (that's not a big issue, juste a fact), around 7mpg.
I know almost all of this can be fixed. But I like the fact 396 was available back in the day (even if it was a BB).
Last edited by limpsilver; May 31, 2021 at 04:13 AM.
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
if you are running a dual plane, try switching to a single plane intake. I had gas puddling and the same issues you are experiencing on my big block. My small block with a single plane low rise intake had zero issues
if you are running a dual plane, try switching to a single plane intake. I had gas puddling and the same issues you are experiencing on my big block. My small block with a single plane low rise intake had zero issues
Single plane I was aware of this issue, I've seen it on engine master.
Back in the day, the saying was “there is no replacement for displacement”. I might argue that HP/lb is better, but hey to each his own.
I have the Blueprint 396 sbc in my ‘69 and their 427 sbc in my ‘64. Both have EFI and are backed by a TKO600. I would go with the 396 given the better torque curve and more balanced bore/stroke ratio (3.875” with a 6” rod vs. 3.750” with a 5.7” rod). Both my cars are a blast to drive and frankly yours will to too regardless of the 383 or the 396. Have fun!
I am considering their 383 for my 70 4speed small block with power steering and having trouble coming up with an oil pan for the right hand dipstick and one piece rear main, what are you considering for your install ?
Any suggestions ?
I assumed what they came with would not work, if I am wrong that would be great ( I don’t have the motor yet ) I did end up going with the Smeeding long block.
sorry to impose on the thread.
Well, the 396 finally arrived yesterday. I had a couple delays placing the order, and then the manufacturing time was delayed due to the global shortages, but it's finally here now.
Now I need to pick an intake, move over all the accessories from my old motor, and get it in the car. It's going to take awhile with my current work schedule, but I'll post periodic updates when I can.
For intake selection, I was looking at a Weiand 8120 (dual plane, 3.5" front height, 4.5" rear height) or possibly a Weiand 8150 (dual plane, 4.2" front height, 5.3" rear height). However some folks earlier on this thread were advocating for a single plane intake. I thought those were typically suited for higher rpms on cars which spend little time on the street. Is a single plane something I should be considering?
Which intake/carb combo did Blueprint use for the dyno test? If you're satisfied with the results, use the same combo. That looks like a great torque curve.
Which intake/carb combo did Blueprint use for the dyno test? If you're satisfied with the results, use the same combo. That looks like a great torque curve.
Experience with Blueprint 396 Small Block?
I was aware of this issue, I've seen it on engine master.
