Thinking about a 383
Thread Starter
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,173
Likes: 3,982
From: Connecticut, USA
Thinking about a 383
For future reference, has anyone bought one of the unassembled 383 short block kits? I have a set Sportman heads to use and a RPM intake.
I'm wondering what the cost involved would be.
I see Larry's in the magazines but haven't heard anything about them?
How about PAW? Any recommendations for a finish machined/balanced kit?
What do the 383's have for a redline range, would one safely spin to 6,500rpm. I might use it in my 69,M-20, 373 vert or maybe the 75 M20,373 coupe.
I don't expect to do this for a year or so.
Thanks,
Gary
I'm wondering what the cost involved would be.
I see Larry's in the magazines but haven't heard anything about them?
How about PAW? Any recommendations for a finish machined/balanced kit?
What do the 383's have for a redline range, would one safely spin to 6,500rpm. I might use it in my 69,M-20, 373 vert or maybe the 75 M20,373 coupe.
I don't expect to do this for a year or so.
Thanks,
Gary
Pro
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 522
Likes: 0
From: Grayslake IL
I made one buying different parts, everything on the bottom is forged, compression ratio is about 10:1. I am afraid of going any higher than 5500 RPMs, but honestly don't know how high I can go with the forged components I have.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
Properly built a 383 will go to 7000+ rpm. Notice I said properly built. Good components and a good balance are needed to do this. My future plans are for a 383 or 396 SB that will turn 7000 rpm. Just ask gkull, I'm sure his has gone higher than 7000.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 485
Likes: 1
From: Dallas Texas
I just finished putting mine together, need a few small details and then I will be able to give it a go. I used an Eagle rotating assembly with KB hyper pistons. The complete kit comes balanced and it includes a flexplate and balancer. It was around $750. Not sure what it will spin at but I will probably limit it to below 6000, which is fine for me.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 2,198
Likes: 2
From: Eastern Connecticut
When I built the 406 in my street rod, I used balanced stock components (cast crank, rods and pistons) with ARP rod bolts. The machine shop said to limit RPMs to 5800. The short block kits you buy cheap have essentially the same components minus the good bolts (hyper 350 pistons probably weigh about the same as cast 400s), so don't push them that hard. Joe
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 137
Likes: 0
From: Flemington, nj 08822 usa
My son has a 383 for sale 431HP/472 lb-ft
My son had this engine built for a '75 C3 which he sold. Now has a Chevelle with a BBC. We have free delivery available to New Haven. Price is negotiable
http://www.csc.villanova.edu/~wthau/383.html
Larry
http://www.csc.villanova.edu/~wthau/383.html
Larry
Drifting
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 1,462
Likes: 1
From: Reno nevada
RPM kill's motors
That's why I have a 7000 rpm rev limiter on my 355 ci and it was built over 10 years ago with a solid cam.
Guys with solid roller setups and forged parts are only limited by the cam duration and how big a set of nuts they have
So I guess that guys with small nuts do 7000 or less
Guys with solid roller setups and forged parts are only limited by the cam duration and how big a set of nuts they have
So I guess that guys with small nuts do 7000 or less
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
Originally Posted by Lt1er
That's why I have a 7000 rpm rev limiter on my 355 ci and it was built over 10 years ago with a solid cam.
Guys with solid roller setups and forged parts are only limited by the cam duration and how big a set of nuts they have
So I guess that guys with small nuts do 7000 or less
Guys with solid roller setups and forged parts are only limited by the cam duration and how big a set of nuts they have
So I guess that guys with small nuts do 7000 or less
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Thread Starter
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,173
Likes: 3,982
From: Connecticut, USA
Nice motor Larry I'm sure it would run nice in my car, but I'm not ready to drop 5k yet.
I have ordered a new book that came out on building big inch small blocks. It will add to the thought process on which way I'll go. There are a lot of kits out there now with all the attention strokers have gotten the last few years. I need to separate the good from the bad, so to speak.
Gary
I have ordered a new book that came out on building big inch small blocks. It will add to the thought process on which way I'll go. There are a lot of kits out there now with all the attention strokers have gotten the last few years. I need to separate the good from the bad, so to speak.
Gary
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 7,493
Likes: 1,501
From: Little Rock AR
Gary,
A guy I know has been running strokers for some time. He has trashed a Hypereutectic piston from lots of RPM's and had problems with the ring gaps. I would go with a forged bottom end IMHO. You could probably get by with a cast crank but forged pistons would definately be in my block.
-Mark.
A guy I know has been running strokers for some time. He has trashed a Hypereutectic piston from lots of RPM's and had problems with the ring gaps. I would go with a forged bottom end IMHO. You could probably get by with a cast crank but forged pistons would definately be in my block.
-Mark.
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by gtr1999
For future reference, has anyone bought one of the unassembled 383 short block kits? I have a set Sportman heads to use and a RPM intake.
I'm wondering what the cost involved would be.
I see Larry's in the magazines but haven't heard anything about them?
How about PAW? Any recommendations for a finish machined/balanced kit?
What do the 383's have for a redline range, would one safely spin to 6,500rpm. I might use it in my 69,M-20, 373 vert or maybe the 75 M20,373 coupe.
I don't expect to do this for a year or so.
Thanks,
Gary
I'm wondering what the cost involved would be.
I see Larry's in the magazines but haven't heard anything about them?
How about PAW? Any recommendations for a finish machined/balanced kit?
What do the 383's have for a redline range, would one safely spin to 6,500rpm. I might use it in my 69,M-20, 373 vert or maybe the 75 M20,373 coupe.
I don't expect to do this for a year or so.
Thanks,
Gary
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
I'm not trying to knock anybody here but a roller cammed 383 with good heads should be in the 500 HP and 500 ft/lbs of torque. A mild 383 with a hyd flat tappet cam will go 450 hp/and torque. I have seen a 383 with my cam Comp 292S and AFR heads on a 383 go over 500 HP and 500 ft/lbs of torque. I Know my "little" 350 is around 430 HP with a mild build up. Forged bottom end is a good thing if you are going over 6000 rpm. I just would not want it coming apart for a few extra dollars.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
how true
Forged bottom end is a good thing if you are going over 6000 rpm. I just would not want it coming apart for a few extra dollars.Spend the money and get your better parts with a quality balance job.
I had a bad experience with PAW years ago. Speedomotive has been nice to me and burned some others on the forum . I've always had good luck with Martel brothers and Flat Lander racing for parts.
Thread Starter
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,173
Likes: 3,982
From: Connecticut, USA
Thanks for info guys,please keep it coming. I'll save this post for future refernece. I think I want to keep the hp/tq under 500 otherwise I'll be rebuilding the differential again,even with the current mods I did to it.
Gary
Gary
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,322
Likes: 1
From: Living in the Hartland
Originally Posted by Lt1er
That's why I have a 7000 rpm rev limiter on my 355 ci and it was built over 10 years ago with a solid cam.
Guys with solid roller setups and forged parts are only limited by the cam duration and how big a set of nuts they have
So I guess that guys with small nuts do 7000 or less
Guys with solid roller setups and forged parts are only limited by the cam duration and how big a set of nuts they have
So I guess that guys with small nuts do 7000 or less
