C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

383 or 388

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 4, 2008 | 08:00 PM
  #1  
jsup's Avatar
jsup
Thread Starter
Team Owner
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 35,065
Likes: 0
From: Bergen County, NJ Democrats, doing for the country what they did for Michigan
Default 383 or 388

Opinions? Pros, cons, etc....
Reply
Old Jun 4, 2008 | 08:08 PM
  #2  
Pete K's Avatar
Pete K
Race Director
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 12,518
Likes: 19
Default

Originally Posted by jsup
Opinions? Pros, cons, etc....
Which one do you prefer?
Reply
Old Jun 4, 2008 | 08:24 PM
  #3  
rklessdriver's Avatar
rklessdriver
Safety Car
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,624
Likes: 431
From: Dale City VA
Default

Originally Posted by Pete K
Which one do you prefer?


The only difference is the bore. Does your machinest feel like making it 4.030 or 4.060?
Will
Reply
Old Jun 4, 2008 | 08:26 PM
  #4  
John A. Marker's Avatar
John A. Marker
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 5,107
Likes: 171
From: Dublin CA
Default

You will get a little more power from the 388, but nothing to write home (or post) about. But you are at the limit of the block. If anything goes wrong now or the future and you have to rebuild you will need a new block if you go 388.
Reply
Old Jun 4, 2008 | 08:29 PM
  #5  
jsup's Avatar
jsup
Thread Starter
Team Owner
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 35,065
Likes: 0
From: Bergen County, NJ Democrats, doing for the country what they did for Michigan
Default

Originally Posted by Pete K
Which one do you prefer?
Don't konw..that's what I am trying to figure out.
Reply
Old Jun 4, 2008 | 08:31 PM
  #6  
Pete K's Avatar
Pete K
Race Director
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 12,518
Likes: 19
Default

Originally Posted by jsup
Don't konw..that's what I am trying to figure out.
Are you asking what the differences are?
Or are you wondering if a stroker is better than a 377 destroked 400?
Reply
Old Jun 4, 2008 | 08:33 PM
  #7  
jsup's Avatar
jsup
Thread Starter
Team Owner
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 35,065
Likes: 0
From: Bergen County, NJ Democrats, doing for the country what they did for Michigan
Default

Originally Posted by Pete K
Are you asking what the differences are?
Or are you wondering if a stroker is better than a 377 destroked 400?
Yes, trying to see what my options are while staying with a small block.
Reply
Old Jun 4, 2008 | 08:36 PM
  #8  
Pete K's Avatar
Pete K
Race Director
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 12,518
Likes: 19
Default

Originally Posted by jsup
Yes, trying to see what my options are while staying with a small block.
In that case it opens up the stroked, 400 block as well. 350 thru 440 cubes easily done with a shortblock.
Food for thought.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jun 4, 2008 | 08:37 PM
  #9  
MK 82's Avatar
MK 82
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 3,286
Likes: 6
From: Palm Beach
Default

The difference may show up as a very small number on a dyno. Not apparent to the SOTP.

If you buy the 388, your block is bored to the max for minimal gain. With your track record, that leaves no room to recover from the next crisis/drama.

Last edited by MK 82; Jun 4, 2008 at 08:42 PM.
Reply
Old Jun 4, 2008 | 08:41 PM
  #10  
JackDidley's Avatar
JackDidley
Race Director
20 Year Member
Active Streak: 30 Days
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 16,838
Likes: 341
From: Database Error Indiana
Default

Have you thought about just buying a Z06 ? Instant horsepower. No mods needed. If I went through all the stuff you have, I would consider it. Less stress and maybe even less $$$.
Reply
Old Jun 4, 2008 | 08:45 PM
  #11  
MK 82's Avatar
MK 82
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 3,286
Likes: 6
From: Palm Beach
Default

Originally Posted by Spankyellow
Have you thought about just buying a Z06 ? Instant horsepower. No mods needed. If I went through all the stuff you have, I would consider it. Less stress and maybe even less $$$.
Then what would we do for entertainment?
Reply
Old Jun 4, 2008 | 08:50 PM
  #12  
hexane's Avatar
hexane
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,382
Likes: 2
From: Kathleen FL
Default

You can make a 388 with the 3.800" crank GM has in their ZZ383 or HT383 crate motors, as long as the bore is 0.030" over. 393 if it is 0.060" over.
Reply
Old Jun 4, 2008 | 09:11 PM
  #13  
jsup's Avatar
jsup
Thread Starter
Team Owner
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 35,065
Likes: 0
From: Bergen County, NJ Democrats, doing for the country what they did for Michigan
Default

Originally Posted by Spankyellow
Have you thought about just buying a Z06 ? Instant horsepower. No mods needed. If I went through all the stuff you have, I would consider it. Less stress and maybe even less $$$.
You kill me. You're probably right....

I like the rumble of the older style cars.

I have no choice at this point but to fix the problem. I can't sell it this way.
Reply
Old Jun 4, 2008 | 10:59 PM
  #14  
JackDidley's Avatar
JackDidley
Race Director
20 Year Member
Active Streak: 30 Days
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 16,838
Likes: 341
From: Database Error Indiana
Default

Originally Posted by MK 82
Then what would we do for entertainment?

What was I thinking ? We would have to recruit some noobs.
Reply
Old Jun 4, 2008 | 11:43 PM
  #15  
RandyJ75's Avatar
RandyJ75
Safety Car
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,566
Likes: 4
From: Mt Laurel NJ
St. Jude Donor '06-'07
Default

Originally Posted by Spankyellow
What was I thinking ? We would have to recruit some noobs.


Plenty of those around. Me included

Question: The '90 has a one piece rear main seal, but the 400 block has a two piece rear main seal, correct? So could he still use the same transmission? The reason I ask is that I believe the flywheels are different, and not interchagable.
Reply
Old Jun 5, 2008 | 08:42 AM
  #16  
rklessdriver's Avatar
rklessdriver
Safety Car
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,624
Likes: 431
From: Dale City VA
Default

Originally Posted by RandyJ75
Plenty of those around. Me included

Question: The '90 has a one piece rear main seal, but the 400 block has a two piece rear main seal, correct? So could he still use the same transmission? The reason I ask is that I believe the flywheels are different, and not interchagable.

Yes. Fidanza makes a FW specifically for the ZF6 and 2 pc rear seal SBC, it has bolt on counterweights and can be balanced to what ever it needs to be. If he has a 4+3, he only need a stock 400 FW and the correct 168 tooth starter. If its and auto then he just needs a stock 400 flex plate and 168 tooth starter.
Will
Reply
Old Jun 5, 2008 | 09:09 AM
  #17  
jsup's Avatar
jsup
Thread Starter
Team Owner
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 35,065
Likes: 0
From: Bergen County, NJ Democrats, doing for the country what they did for Michigan
Default

Originally Posted by rklessdriver
Yes. Fidanza makes a FW specifically for the ZF6 and 2 pc rear seal SBC, it has bolt on counterweights and can be balanced to what ever it needs to be. If he has a 4+3, he only need a stock 400 FW and the correct 168 tooth starter. If its and auto then he just needs a stock 400 flex plate and 168 tooth starter.
Will
http://www.chevyhiperformance.com/te...ion/index.html

377s spin up faster than 383s....what do you guys think of this?
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To 383 or 388

Old Jun 5, 2008 | 01:27 PM
  #18  
93lt1fun's Avatar
93lt1fun
Instructor
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 225
Likes: 0
From: Round Rock, TX
Default

Why not a 396? .030 over / 5.875 rods. I have a More Peformance 396 that has been running strong for 10 years.

I think you can bigger also, 409? 427?

Bigger the better in my opinion as long as the cost is relatively close!
Reply
Old Jun 5, 2008 | 01:40 PM
  #19  
88BlackZ-51's Avatar
88BlackZ-51
Race Director
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Liked
 
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 10,749
Likes: 41
Default

I debated about doing a 383 or a 396, but then after talking to some guys with some biggers strokers, i.e. 406, 421, and 434 the decision was made not to do a 383.

It's up to you obviously, but I would add more cubic inches to your thoughts. I am doing a 421 with a small set of heads, and a small cam. It has almost no choice but to make at least 500chp/530tq, and I wont have to wear a gas mask driving it.

Our cars are older technology. I have come to the conclusion that if you dont plan to turbo or to supercharge it, throw as many cubic inches at it as you can afford. With the bigger cubes you wont need to rev the **** out of it as well. In saying that my motor isnt cheap, but the price difference in building it versus a 383 was a no brainer.

Take it easy!
Reply
Old Jun 5, 2008 | 01:42 PM
  #20  
88BlackZ-51's Avatar
88BlackZ-51
Race Director
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Liked
 
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 10,749
Likes: 41
Default

Originally Posted by jsup
http://www.chevyhiperformance.com/te...ion/index.html

377s spin up faster than 383s....what do you guys think of this?
If you build something with cubes, you wont need to spin it. Cubes means torque everywhere and at all times.
Reply



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 08:40 PM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE