383 Question: Build it or Buy it?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 595
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From: Boston MA
383 Question: Build it or Buy it?
383 Question
I am currently working on a new project with my younger brother and we are thinking about installing a 383 stroker into his 1971 Chevelle. My brother is very knowledgeable in the automotive field, but I have limited experience.
At this point we have started to do the research and we have drafted a list of parts that we plan to use.
He is really excited about building the engine, but after I saw the price of the listed parts, I wanted to do some more research. I found several places online that could build a 383 for less than the cost of the parts.
Here are my questions:
Have a lot of members built a 383 stroker engine? What’s the difficulty rating?
Have a lot of members purchased a 383 engine? If so, did the company allow you to customize the engine?
Does anyone know a good, reliable company to purchase the engine from? Preferably in the Northeast, but I will take suggestions from anywhere in the US.
How much should I expect to pay for this engine if I build it or if I buy it?
Is there anything else I should be aware of?
All other suggestions related to this topic are welcome.
Thanks,
Joe
I am currently working on a new project with my younger brother and we are thinking about installing a 383 stroker into his 1971 Chevelle. My brother is very knowledgeable in the automotive field, but I have limited experience.
At this point we have started to do the research and we have drafted a list of parts that we plan to use.
He is really excited about building the engine, but after I saw the price of the listed parts, I wanted to do some more research. I found several places online that could build a 383 for less than the cost of the parts.
Here are my questions:
Have a lot of members built a 383 stroker engine? What’s the difficulty rating?
Have a lot of members purchased a 383 engine? If so, did the company allow you to customize the engine?
Does anyone know a good, reliable company to purchase the engine from? Preferably in the Northeast, but I will take suggestions from anywhere in the US.
How much should I expect to pay for this engine if I build it or if I buy it?
Is there anything else I should be aware of?
All other suggestions related to this topic are welcome.
Thanks,
Joe
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,484
Likes: 0
From: Northampton Ma
I bought my 383 from AR Racing in Virginia. There seems to be some mixed reviews about their engines. I would try Golen Engines, they're not too far from you, they're in New Hampshire. If I had known about them before I bought my motor, I probably would have bought from them.
Take a look:http://www.golenengineservice.com
Click "chevy hot rod", then click "carburated" or "fuel injected", then click "engines".
Take a look:http://www.golenengineservice.com
Click "chevy hot rod", then click "carburated" or "fuel injected", then click "engines".
Last edited by Ryan77; Mar 18, 2005 at 12:00 PM.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 595
Likes: 0
From: Boston MA
Originally Posted by Ryan77
I bought my 383 from AR Racing in Virginia. There seems to be some mixed reviews about their engines. I would try Golen Engines, they're not too far from you, they're in New Hampshire. If I had known about them before I bought my motor, I probably would have bought from them.
Take a look:http://www.golenengineservice.com
Click "chevy hot rod", then click "carburated" or "fuel injected", then click "engines".
Take a look:http://www.golenengineservice.com
Click "chevy hot rod", then click "carburated" or "fuel injected", then click "engines".
It is funny you mention them. That is where I had my machine work done on my 327. They are pretty good, but I wanted to weigh my opptions.
Thanks again,
Joe
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,677
Likes: 1
From: Potomac Falls VA
Originally Posted by GrandSportC3
Bought 2 engines from AR and I'm very satisfied. I paid less for each engine than I would've paid for the parts alone...
Shane
Pro
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 641
Likes: 2
From: Storm lake Iowa
Originally Posted by ShaneLU97
Do they have a website? Tried searching for them on google and found zippo....
Shane
Shane
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Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 40,435
Likes: 793
From: Redondo Beach, California
Look at the GM Performance Parts catalog. They have crate 383 engines. I think they have warranties. Also, I believe that from reading all the postings, the GM Performance crate engines have really good comments from people that have bought them.
From reading this forum, I really believe that there are some engine building companies that are putting out engine qualities equal to or greater than GM Performance. Unfortunately, once again, from reading this forum I've read that there are some companies producing poor quality stuff. If you've got an engine rebuilder you're interested in, try to get previous purchaser's comments. GM is probably a pretty safe sorce, but they won't make a custom made engine for you. An engine rebuilder will build an engine that's just what you want.
I bought a ZZ4 Hot Cam. If I had it to do over, I probably would have had an engine built from a rebuilder. However, the ZZ4 Hot Cam, 400 real HP in a 2850 lb 1968 Convertible should be a good ride. (2850 lbs because I've got a lot of aluminum in the car.)
From reading this forum, I really believe that there are some engine building companies that are putting out engine qualities equal to or greater than GM Performance. Unfortunately, once again, from reading this forum I've read that there are some companies producing poor quality stuff. If you've got an engine rebuilder you're interested in, try to get previous purchaser's comments. GM is probably a pretty safe sorce, but they won't make a custom made engine for you. An engine rebuilder will build an engine that's just what you want.
I bought a ZZ4 Hot Cam. If I had it to do over, I probably would have had an engine built from a rebuilder. However, the ZZ4 Hot Cam, 400 real HP in a 2850 lb 1968 Convertible should be a good ride. (2850 lbs because I've got a lot of aluminum in the car.)
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 182,997
Likes: 88
From: Lakeland, FL
Cruise-In IV-V-VI-VII-VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03, '06, '17
Originally Posted by ShaneLU97
Do they have a website? Tried searching for them on google and found zippo....
Shane
Shane
However, I don't think that they update their webpage.. Their performance engines are all listed on Ebay... However, they build custom engines to your needs/specs.. Custom built engines take a lot of time to be build, but they seem to be great quality... They are more $ than their Ebay engines, but I'd say that the extra $ will be well spent...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 5,446
Likes: 2
From: Not Correctly Restored Stingray Fla.
First of all....
CHEVELLE = BIG BLOCK
Now that, that is said and you still want a 383, then you need to speak to Rick @ HBR COMPETITION ENGINES in Las Vegas.
Mine runs on 93 octane, 525+hp, running mid 11s (easily), and with overdrive, I drive it wherever I want even out-of-state (and it's 4hrs just to get the hell outta here). Unbelieveably reliable.
CHEVELLE = BIG BLOCK
Now that, that is said and you still want a 383, then you need to speak to Rick @ HBR COMPETITION ENGINES in Las Vegas.
Mine runs on 93 octane, 525+hp, running mid 11s (easily), and with overdrive, I drive it wherever I want even out-of-state (and it's 4hrs just to get the hell outta here). Unbelieveably reliable.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: Indiana
383
I bought a 383 from Speedomotive in california for my 71 chevelle about 5 years ago and could not be happier.It cost me about $200 to have it shipped to indiana.At the time a long block cost about $2600.00 and the only thing that was used was the 4 bolt main block.It has new sportsman 2 heads,new crank,extreme energy cam,comp cams roller tip rockers,keith black pistons,double roller timing chain,and i had them add a 7 quart oil pan and harmonic balancer.You can have them build a 383 any way you want to fit your application.You can visit them at www.speedomotive.com or call them at 626-869-0270.
Hope this helps
Henry
Hope this helps
Henry
