383 vs 396
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 494
Likes: 0
From: Victoria BC
383 vs 396
I'm sure this has been asked many times but I could not find it on the search. Besides the cubes, what's the main differences between the two?
What are the cost comparasions in building a solid stroker motor (LT1)?
What are the power differences (LT1)?
I am considering doing something besides the bolt-ons. I looked into supercharging but that's very expensive so I'm now looking at the stroker. My motor has about 70,000 miles on it. Cheers.
What are the cost comparasions in building a solid stroker motor (LT1)?
What are the power differences (LT1)?
I am considering doing something besides the bolt-ons. I looked into supercharging but that's very expensive so I'm now looking at the stroker. My motor has about 70,000 miles on it. Cheers.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 12,518
Likes: 19
The 396 combo has a slight bit more stroke. If you are buying high quality rotating assembly parts, the cost is comparable. There are a few manufacturers that make cast383 parts for less money. If low budget is a concern, it limits you to 383. If you are buying the good parts, 396 is similar coin to 383 stuff. 396 will almost certainly require a special oil pan, I used my stock pan with my 383 combo. It needed some "pursuading" with the ball peen, but worked out fine.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 12,518
Likes: 19
I have not built a 396 so I can only guess regarding power. My stuff is low dollar cast crank and cast pistons. For me, the upgrade is not worth the power increase. If I could afford a quality forged rotating assembly, I would go 396.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 9,922
Likes: 38
From: South Carolina
St. Jude Donor '03 & '05
396 is more expensive, not much. The factory oil pan works fine, as I just reinstalled it last night on my 93. The only issue I foun dwas that the crankshaft was balanced with Mallary metal, and the crankshaft, a Callies Stealth, was drilled in the front where the hub bolt goes rather deep. When using the Kent Moore tool to take it off, I had to put litle steel ball bearings in the front to get the tool to be able to push on the crank. Minor issue.
Other than that 396 sounds better when you say you have one in your Vette, than a 383. No biggie.
Other than that 396 sounds better when you say you have one in your Vette, than a 383. No biggie.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,069
Likes: 25
From: Orlando FL
A 396 will generally cost a bit more due to a bit extra machine work on the block. Other than that it should be comparable with a 383, part for part. One thing I found, though, was that 396 cranks are not as readily available as 383 units so you may have to hunt around a bit if you are in a hurry like I was. Why 396? Well, besides 13 additional cubic inches (not a bad thing), its a heckuva better number than 383 for a bowtie machine.
Last edited by Hutch; Apr 8, 2005 at 02:17 PM.
