Stroke to 383 or 396?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
From: Kzoo MI
Stroke to 383 or 396?
I am starting to get tired of these hondas buzzing around town. And I've been looking for some excuses to do something big performance-wise. Not only get the power I've been wanting but also be able to leave honda kids with their mouths hanging open.....I am leaning towards all motor and would like to eventually stroke my LT1 out. But my problem is should I go to 383 or to 396? If you know power diffs and/or any other related things please share.
Thanks
Jim
Thanks
Jim
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 12,518
Likes: 19
Very satisfied with my 383. I did not build a 396 due to budget reasons. Not possible to build a "cheap" 396. All parts of the rotating assembly are first rate. I also could not afford to buy an aftermarket oil pan. My oem pan worked with 383. You cannot go wrong with either. If you plan to buy good stuff do the 396. If money gets tighter there are more options with the 383(parts wise)
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,276
Likes: 0
From: Ft. Worth Texas
St. Jude Donor '11
Originally Posted by Rinker96LT1
I am starting to get tired of these hondas buzzing around town. And I've been looking for some excuses to do something big performance-wise. Not only get the power I've been wanting but also be able to leave honda kids with their mouths hanging open.....I am leaning towards all motor and would like to eventually stroke my LT1 out. But my problem is should I go to 383 or to 396? If you know power diffs and/or any other related things please share.
Thanks
Jim
Thanks
Jim
I went with a 396, the block did need more clearing than a 383 but I am hoping that the torque over the 383 will be worth it. All the problems I'm having with mine are from my inexperience in doing the work myself. And no...I did not build the short block, I had it built by HPE in Houston. They do really good quality work. Either way you cant go wrong.
jeff
Pro
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 650
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From: Flushing NY
I have to agree with the cost factor if dollas are not a factor due the 396 Im 100% satified with the power this thing gives me have not dynoed yet for still working out the bugs and misc tweaks that need to be done. All bs aside if I had to do it again Id prob buy another car already done chasing down all the parts I needed and tuning and etc was a PIA and downtime nearly broke me spirit and pocket wise...
Originally Posted by Pete K
Very satisfied with my 383. I did not build a 396 due to budget reasons. Not possible to build a "cheap" 396. All parts of the rotating assembly are first rate. I also could not afford to buy an aftermarket oil pan. My oem pan worked with 383. You cannot go wrong with either. If you plan to buy good stuff do the 396. If money gets tighter there are more options with the 383(parts wise)
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 777
Likes: 1
From: Fort Worth Texas
396
Originally Posted by GS345
I went with a 396, the block did need more clearing than a 383 but I am hoping that the torque over the 383 will be worth it. All the problems I'm having with mine are from my inexperience in doing the work myself. And no...I did not build the short block, I had it built by HPE in Houston. They do really good quality work. Either way you cant go wrong.
jeff
jeff
Have Fun
Louis Bartay
Last edited by Louis Bartay; Feb 3, 2005 at 11:36 PM. Reason: for got signature
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,276
Likes: 0
From: Ft. Worth Texas
St. Jude Donor '11
Originally Posted by Louis Bartay
Check out www.golenengineservice.com and look at the complete engine they have.
Have Fun
Louis Bartay
Have Fun
Louis Bartay
jeff
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,490
Likes: 2
From: Oviedo FL
I started out going the 383 route, but as it turned out it is now a 385.
I suggest figuring out what you want to do with the car (street, strip, ax, road race, etc) and build accordingly. I chose the smaller displacement and am very happy with the way mine turned out. See sig for modifications...
Mike
I suggest figuring out what you want to do with the car (street, strip, ax, road race, etc) and build accordingly. I chose the smaller displacement and am very happy with the way mine turned out. See sig for modifications...
Mike
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,637
Likes: 2
From: Honeoye Ny
Originally Posted by kwik_ta
There is no replacement for displacement... 
remember the bigger the stroke, the more important that good heads are used. If money s not a factor, Id go 409 since the crank and pistons/machinework won't be much different. but If cash is an issue 383 parts are much cheaper due to the availibility. I went with 383 for my turbo motor but in retrospect I would have stayed 355 and spent the money else where ($1800 in machinework).
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 2,710
Likes: 1
From: Green Bay WI
Originally Posted by Baldturbofreak
uuh I beg to differ,
remember the bigger the stroke, the more important that good heads are used. If money s not a factor, Id go 409 since the crank and pistons/machinework won't be much different. but If cash is an issue 383 parts are much cheaper due to the availibility. I went with 383 for my turbo motor but in retrospect I would have stayed 355 and spent the money else where ($1800 in machinework).
remember the bigger the stroke, the more important that good heads are used. If money s not a factor, Id go 409 since the crank and pistons/machinework won't be much different. but If cash is an issue 383 parts are much cheaper due to the availibility. I went with 383 for my turbo motor but in retrospect I would have stayed 355 and spent the money else where ($1800 in machinework).
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,637
Likes: 2
From: Honeoye Ny
It depends on if your doing "H" or "I" beam rods. A small base circle cam is in order as well as an additional .062 compared to a 396 in the pan rail Your gonna need a clearenced pan and Might have some issues clearing the oil pump. To take care of cylinder filling on a 409 you better have heads in the 300cfm range and around 215cc's or your gonna have a motor that will fall flat on it's face by 4500. Great for towing, not great for eating Rice.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 2,710
Likes: 1
From: Green Bay WI
Originally Posted by Baldturbofreak
It depends on if your doing "H" or "I" beam rods. A small base circle cam is in order as well as an additional .062 compared to a 396 in the pan rail Your gonna need a clearenced pan and Might have some issues clearing the oil pump. To take care of cylinder filling on a 409 you better have heads in the 300cfm range and around 215cc's or your gonna have a motor that will fall flat on it's face by 4500. Great for towing, not great for eating Rice.
Wouldn't a 383 rev faster than a 409 to build boost better?
If one could build a 409 to live under this blown application, any
drawbacks? Any need to use block fill or anything like that?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 2,875
Likes: 0
From: Olive Branch (Memphis suburb) MS
Cruise-In II Veteran
Originally Posted by racerns
If you use the Lunati Pro-mods you do not have to use a small circle base cam. They will clear a regular cam. The 847 is a normal cam.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,273
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From: Olathe, KS USA
Originally Posted by racerns
If you use the Lunati Pro-mods you do not have to use a small circle base cam. They will clear a regular cam. The 847 is a normal cam.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 2,896
Likes: 349
From: Smithfield VA
Originally Posted by C4Crazy787
Do I understand you correctly? I can keep my GMHot cam and go with a 396 stroker??
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,276
Likes: 0
From: Ft. Worth Texas
St. Jude Donor '11
Originally Posted by racerns
Yes, but I think you will be a little dissapointed. I did that when I first did a 396 and though the low end torque improved greatly the peak hp did not (about 10hp gain peak). I think the Hot Cam is a little small for a stroker motor.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
Strokers can "absorb" quite a bit of cam timing-Spoke to the owner (can't remember his name) of Golen this morning, he quote 396 shortblocks starting in the low-mid $3000 range. He was very informative.