383 or possibly a 396?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,107
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From: RI
383 or possibly a 396?
This past winter was the first time I pulled an engine apart.I'm now addicted.I would like to work on a smallblock that I could possibly drop into the 93 in a year or 2. I see alot of guys running 383 strokers. How about a 396...
Right now, I would just like to look for a bare block but could someone inform me what to look for? LT1/LT4 396?
Right now, I would just like to look for a bare block but could someone inform me what to look for? LT1/LT4 396?
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 914
Likes: 1
From: Redding Ca
A 406 is a 400 block bored .030" over. I have a pair of AFR 195cc heads on mine. I am not sure if the water passages on LT1 and LT4 heads are different or not. But its a free 23 cubic inches and if you decide to stroke to a 396" in a 350" block, (+1/8" over the 383" crank) you get to 420" in a 400 block.
EDIT: Forgot to mention, I have 6" rods in my 406.
EDIT: Forgot to mention, I have 6" rods in my 406.
Last edited by GeosFun; Apr 4, 2006 at 06:17 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 165
Likes: 1
From: rowlett tx
how come i dont hear a lot about people running 396s? Is it that much more expensive? Does the 13 extra cubes make enough power over the 383 to make up for the extra cost in parts? which would be better for a low speed tourque engine??
Sorry one more question: Does the added angle between the rod and piston put added stress on the engine, enough that u might significantly shorten the life span?
Sorry one more question: Does the added angle between the rod and piston put added stress on the engine, enough that u might significantly shorten the life span?
Large Impressive Member
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From: Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
I'm building a 388. And no, it is not a 3.75" stroke bored .060". It's a 3.80" stroke w/ +.030" pistons with a compression height for a 3.75" stroke. This will zero deck the pistons w/o cutting the block and the resulting PITA of fitting the heads and intake properly after major decking. I'm building it not only for a good power increase but also for better combustion efficiency and all of the advantages that go with that.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 810
Likes: 4
From: Austria
Originally Posted by raisinbran
how come i dont hear a lot about people running 396s? Is it that much more expensive? Does the 13 extra cubes make enough power over the 383 to make up for the extra cost in parts? which would be better for a low speed tourque engine??
Sorry one more question: Does the added angle between the rod and piston put added stress on the engine, enough that u might significantly shorten the life span?
Sorry one more question: Does the added angle between the rod and piston put added stress on the engine, enough that u might significantly shorten the life span?
i built a 396 a few months ago...
383 vs 396 cost the same in parts, if you buy quality stuff
what is more problematic, you will have to clearance the block more for the 396 (3.875 vs. 3.75 stroke)..the amount of a stock block clearancing is limited through the water jackets in the oil pan rail..
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,107
Likes: 0
From: RI
wow, there's alot of good information here. I would love to work on a 406 but I think a 396 is plenty, especially if I want to add an ATI procharger.. But thats another thread.
whats a bare 396 block go for? Am I better finding a balanced rotating assembly with forged internals?
whats a bare 396 block go for? Am I better finding a balanced rotating assembly with forged internals?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 8,077
Likes: 4
From: Scarborough ONTARIO
check strokermotor.com or shafiroff.com its best to call them, if its possible for u buy a new GM or Dart bare block nad han buy the rotating assembly, and do ur work at ur local machinists.
OR just buy a complete short block this way sometimes u save a dime and piece of mind. Call the above guys.
OR just buy a complete short block this way sometimes u save a dime and piece of mind. Call the above guys.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 914
Likes: 1
From: Redding Ca
A call is way better than an email. Many companies do not respond to email inquiries(never understood why they offer their email address). I suspect too many "what if" questions leading to no sales.
Buy the best parts you can afford. They are not much more and can take a lot more punishment. Good luck with your project.
Buy the best parts you can afford. They are not much more and can take a lot more punishment. Good luck with your project.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 2,875
Likes: 0
From: Olive Branch (Memphis suburb) MS
Cruise-In II Veteran
Originally Posted by sonomacrew01
whats a bare 396 block go for? Am I better finding a balanced rotating assembly with forged internals?
Here's what it looks like all together with an electric waterpump and ATI dampner($$). 
Best of luck with which everone you decide to do.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 2,875
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From: Olive Branch (Memphis suburb) MS
Cruise-In II Veteran
Originally Posted by sonomacrew01
so you're saying that out of a 350, I can get the displacement up to a 396?
