383 Stroker Engines
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 34
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From: SW Florida
383 Stroker Engines
I have a 78 Vette with a L48 engine. I'm looking to upgrade it to a 383 Stroker. Can anyone make recommendations? IS it worth it? Costs for engine and labor? Has anyone had problems down the road.
Race Director
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From: Golden Colorado
Le Mans Master
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From: Omaha NE
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Now if I could just talk my wife into replacing a perfectly good L48...
Is it worth it? Does milk go with chocolate chip cookies?
Racer
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 272
Likes: 69
From: Reno, NV
If you are looking for a good engine at a good value, go BluePrint. If you are looking to research, design, and build a motor, and then get the rush of hearing it run for the first time, build your own. Just finished my engine and it was probably the most fun and rewarding element of a full resto-mod build.
But for your specific question, a 383 stroker when compared to a 350 is a relatively inexpensive way to add torque and fun to your car. That is why many 350 rebuilds go that way. I used an Eagle 383 rotating assembly kit, had a machine shop do the clearance work for the 383, then built the motor I wanted.
But for your specific question, a 383 stroker when compared to a 350 is a relatively inexpensive way to add torque and fun to your car. That is why many 350 rebuilds go that way. I used an Eagle 383 rotating assembly kit, had a machine shop do the clearance work for the 383, then built the motor I wanted.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2011
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From: Hermosa
Gotta ask yourself, is the rest of the drive train up to taking the additional torque?
Le Mans Master
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From: Omaha NE
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First gotta ask myself...
Is there enough room in the garage for a cot?...
Is there enough room in the garage for a cot?...
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2009
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From: Roanoke Indiana
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From: Omaha NE
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Burning Brakes
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From: Roanoke Indiana
One time she just said "it's your money". I said who are you?
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Race Director
Joined: Mar 2016
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From: Napa Valley California
Is it worth it, is the question you need to figure out for yourself.
What do you use the car for, what is your driving style, and will you ever put the additional torque and horsepower to use?
If you need to rebuild your 350 and plan to replace the pistons, rods and need to turn or replace the crank then the cost is a wash.
Like stated above, if you aren't going to build it yourself then go with the Blueprint 383.
The original drivetrain was designed to take about 450 horsepower max.
As long as you don't exceed the original design you should not need to upgrade anything else, unless you decide to build a real tire shredder and drive it that way.
What do you use the car for, what is your driving style, and will you ever put the additional torque and horsepower to use?
If you need to rebuild your 350 and plan to replace the pistons, rods and need to turn or replace the crank then the cost is a wash.
Like stated above, if you aren't going to build it yourself then go with the Blueprint 383.
The original drivetrain was designed to take about 450 horsepower max.
As long as you don't exceed the original design you should not need to upgrade anything else, unless you decide to build a real tire shredder and drive it that way.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 567
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From: Carson Valley
Is the cooling system up to it?
I'm thinking ahead to what engine I'll want in a year or so.
I've been told 383's need more cooling. Makes sense to me, the engine is making more HP.
Does the radiator need upgraded along with the engine?
I'm thinking ahead to what engine I'll want in a year or so.
I've been told 383's need more cooling. Makes sense to me, the engine is making more HP.
Does the radiator need upgraded along with the engine?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,135
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From: Roanoke Indiana
If you build it your self, there's a lot of clearances to do/check. Rods to pan rail and the bottom of the cylinders on the opposite bank.
Rods to cam if you keep the stock 5.7" rods.
Rods to cam if you keep the stock 5.7" rods.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2009
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From: Roanoke Indiana
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A 383 is the least expensive way to add power and torque to your engine.
For me with a 327 the difference is much more dramatic but then again I will also upgrade with aluminum heads, cam etc.
For me with a 327 the difference is much more dramatic but then again I will also upgrade with aluminum heads, cam etc.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,652
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From: Rural North West NV
It's the old saying, "Speed costs. How fast do you want to go?"
I'm going through the sane debate with my L48. I think because I have several other hot rod cars, I'm just going to stick with the original motor and do a stepped build.
Step one: I have a set of Hooker header / side pipes so those will go on and will remove all smog stuff.
Step two: Distributer recurve and maybe Lars carb rebuild.
Step three: Heads, cam, intake, carb, ignition.
Step four: Trans replacement with 200-4R and higher stall torque converter or convert to stick shift 5 speed.
The results of each step will dictate whether I proceed to the next one.
You might want to consider a similar plan if going all out with a 383 replacement is a budget concern (and you want to keep peace at home
).
I'm going through the sane debate with my L48. I think because I have several other hot rod cars, I'm just going to stick with the original motor and do a stepped build.
Step one: I have a set of Hooker header / side pipes so those will go on and will remove all smog stuff.
Step two: Distributer recurve and maybe Lars carb rebuild.
Step three: Heads, cam, intake, carb, ignition.
Step four: Trans replacement with 200-4R and higher stall torque converter or convert to stick shift 5 speed.
The results of each step will dictate whether I proceed to the next one.
You might want to consider a similar plan if going all out with a 383 replacement is a budget concern (and you want to keep peace at home
).
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,154
Likes: 69
From: Regina Sk Canada
My engine builder put a mild 383 together for a guy, pump gas 9.2-1 compression with Vortec heads, Comp hydraulic roller a set of headers, and i think an rpm performer intake, a dual plane of sorts with a 750 Quadrajet, motor made 425 HP and 512 tq. Nice driver.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 34
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From: SW Florida
Here's my dilemma. I spoke with several Vette mechanics and they said that if I install a 383 Stroker in my 78 L48 Vette, I may have to change out the transmission as well. They said that the tranny may not handle the power of the 383 Stroker. Has anyone had that problem? Any suggestions? I plan to only use the car as an easy driver, not a racer.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,154
Likes: 69
From: Regina Sk Canada
I had my buddy build my th350 back in the day, we installed a beefier intermediate sprag race, a low roller clutch assembly out of a 700R4 and machined the high gear drum for 5 forward clutches with a shift kit. I had that trans in a 3500 lb camaro with a 427 BBC 550 hp on motor and a 250 nitrous kit. That trans has never been apart.
Your other option is to build a nice 355 sbc then. The one i had in my 80 Vette made 350 HP and 390 TQ . I got rid of the doggy 3.08 gears and dropped in some 3.55 gears and the car was a blast to drive. It accelerated nicer, drove away from the lites better. More passing power on the highway. 3000 RPM which was 65 mph i was sitting at 375 lb ft of tq, Do that and enjoy your car. A dilemma can be fixed with money and more parts.
Your other option is to build a nice 355 sbc then. The one i had in my 80 Vette made 350 HP and 390 TQ . I got rid of the doggy 3.08 gears and dropped in some 3.55 gears and the car was a blast to drive. It accelerated nicer, drove away from the lites better. More passing power on the highway. 3000 RPM which was 65 mph i was sitting at 375 lb ft of tq, Do that and enjoy your car. A dilemma can be fixed with money and more parts.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 333
Likes: 41
Don't know how stock components behind the engine would survive the power it produces.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 14,282
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From: Napa Valley California
If your plan is to have an easy driver, then put a few mods like heads, intake, cam etc, into your 350 build.
Don’t go crazy and drive it with a little more pep.
Installing a 383 may just be a waste of money for you unless you need those bragging rights with the boys.
Don’t go crazy and drive it with a little more pep.
Installing a 383 may just be a waste of money for you unless you need those bragging rights with the boys.