I know there has been alot of threads generated on this motor, but i wanted to get a fresh perspective. I am in the middle of a complete restomod on an 81 vette. I am looking at putting in the blueprinted 383ci/405hp/440tq motor. I know i will have to change out the long waterpump for a short pump and i am opting for a late model 350 externally balance flex plate and upgrading the current stall converter from 1800 to between 2000 and 2400.

Any who has this motor in there car, i would really appreciate any feed back prior to purchasing this.
It is a toss up between this and a ZZ4 motor.

Thanks in advance for feedback.

Mark

 

Fresh won't change a thing here. If choice is between ZZ383 & ZZ4, you'll be happier w/ ZZ383 ... probably any decent 383.

 

honestly ive heard nothing but bad things about Blueprint... they're remanufactured engines so I wouldnt trust them. Yes they have a warranty, but it comes with low quality parts and who wants to trade in a broken 383 multiple times? I havent dealt with them but Ive read many reviews that they take minimal claim in their warranties.

 

I recently went through this same assessment. At the end of the day I opted to have my current NOM torn down and rebuilt by a local builder with a rock solid rep.
$2800.00 for fully reloaded 383 with Scat assembly, I-beam's and re-worked ported and polished heads. The blueprint thing sceered me off and I decided to save on the shipping and have someone to go see personally if there are issues. I am also able to re-use all my peripherals including valve covers, intake etc with no issues whatsoever.

 

Mark:
Dunno which brand 383 ... if it's Blueprint brand I'd pass on it also.

Assume a new ZZ4 crate base p/n 24502609 is about $4200 ... while
... a new HT383 crate p/n 12499101 is about $4400

Torque is what gets you going & is most of what you feel in a street car ... and the HT383 has much more Torque than ZZ4. ZZ4 has only a bit more HP. I'd go for the HT383 ... if later on you need more HP, you can easily get another 75 HP with only another cam & set of valve springs. HT383 is rated for & with low 87 octane gas ... few others are ... NOT most Blueprint 383, Not ZZ4, Not ZZ383.

Both above GMPP motors have all NEW parts, have billet steel roller cams, have forged steel cranks and have a GOOD, Meaningful 24mo/50K mile street car warranty backed by GM. There are GM dealers in every state; GM's warranties are easily enforceable in every state. If you're in one state & buy a brand x widget with brandZ warranty from po dunk ... you might only be able to sue in your supplier's home state ... Not yours! Chances are, you won't ever need to sue if you buy new GM.

If you're willing to spend the $ for a ZZ4 ... spend a coupla hundred more & get the stroker HT383.

OH ... as for water pump ... your 81 came with a vette pump ... NOT a short pump ... they're close ... but Not the same ... they do Not fit same.

-edit- If you can find the right local guy, do what dosoctaves did.

 

Check with T&L they have a better deal and you won't be sorry.

 

 

If you do a rebuild I would suggest investing in new heads vs. putting money into the stock ones. In past I've built engines myself working with a reputable machine shop and doing all my own assembly. For my last project I decided on a ZZ383. It's a very good engine but could have rebuilt what I had and put a supercharger on it for the price of the GMPP-ZZ. So next round will pbly. go back to building my own stuff again - much more satisfaction that way and less expensive and adds to the fun of the hobby. Sorta depends on how much your into the design of it and picking all your parts, etc vs. convenience of a crate pkg. I would recommend buying/building as much engine/hp/tq as you can afford now cause it's easy and natural to want more later and not as cost effective in the long run to be modifying what you already have so give it some good thought now.

 

I was thinking of building my own engine and when I added up all the parts I was already over what T&L had to offer and that is not including the machine work that would have to be done. Or the break in and dyno run. When I need another hi performance engine I will see T&L and not think twice about it.

 

Check out T&L. If going crate take a look at the Aluminum 383 and 408 w/ 500tq and 500 hp.

 

Check out T&L. If going crate take a look at the Aluminum 383 and 408 w/ 500tq and 500 hp. http://www.tandlengines.com/chevrolet_index.html

 

I just installed the ZZ383 in my 1980. I am still breaking it in, but it seems to be a very good street engine. The long block was about $5K. I considered the ZZ4 also, but finally decided on more torque from the 383.

 

I am in the middle of the same swap your thinking about. I really wanted the blueprint engine and almost ordered it until I started looking into the parts used. You may have luck with it but I wanted a solid bottom end....not like the engine is gunna come out again soon.

I decided to have a local shop build me a 4 bolt 383 with a solid bottom end. To save some cash (and since it is a pretty good setup) I will be using the sock intake, carb and dist from my 81. Sensei (screen name) is currently rebuilding my carb.

Engine compartment is cleaned and painted and the 383 will be going in soon!!

good luck

 

Thanks for the responses. It was a blueprint motor. I will be looking into T & L today to talk with them about a motor. I thought about upgrading the NOM but i have bagged it for sentimental reasons.

I have not yet upgraded the rear end, still contains stock gears and stock tranny. Any issue there with the increase in torque?
What were you all running for a stall?

 

Why hasn't Year One Performance been named here? They used to have a big following here on the Forum??