Stroker on the Cheap.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 14,924
Likes: 9
From: Merritt Ils Fl
Stroker on the Cheap.
Forget it. Quite often there is considerable discussion here about building vs.buying a crate engine. Last summer I started a project to build a 383 from a donated roller block buying quality parts at the lowest practical cost. No time line so I could shop and compare prices. I'll post some numbers later. Tonight I bought most of the necessary consumables, paint,filters,oil a belt sealers and such. $158.50.When in heck did antifreeze get to be $11.00 a gallon? This El-Chepo door stop will be over $2,500 with me doing all the wrenching and watching every nickle. I really haven't looked at crate 383's but a short block can't be much more than that. I'll chalk it up to fun and entertainment,besides the wife says a man needs a hobby.Wonder what the 396 I want to build next is gonna set me back?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,146
Likes: 2
From: Albuquerque NM
383 have alot options...thus affordable. My orginal 383 short bk cost me $1000 in parts/$1200 in machining labor.
A lot depends on the block maching. Three in particular: deck plate honing (some are actually going to heated coolant + deck plate honing), square decking, and "0" decking. These just be performed buy yourself.
I did alot of comparisons with the 383 kits out there. The main issue was that the upgrades were very costly over the base kit. What were your stength goals? Wieght goals? Did you replace the rods or stick with your stockers? Small base circle Camshaft?
THE 396...not a lot of options...thus not "affordable". Why execute a 383 when you really want a 396. You're just burning $$$$ away from the tuning you need to do for the displacement (+ heads)
You did want an opinion?
A lot depends on the block maching. Three in particular: deck plate honing (some are actually going to heated coolant + deck plate honing), square decking, and "0" decking. These just be performed buy yourself.
I did alot of comparisons with the 383 kits out there. The main issue was that the upgrades were very costly over the base kit. What were your stength goals? Wieght goals? Did you replace the rods or stick with your stockers? Small base circle Camshaft?
THE 396...not a lot of options...thus not "affordable". Why execute a 383 when you really want a 396. You're just burning $$$$ away from the tuning you need to do for the displacement (+ heads)
You did want an opinion?
Forget it. Quite often there is considerable discussion here about building vs.buying a crate engine. Last summer I started a project to build a 383 from a donated roller block buying quality parts at the lowest practical cost. No time line so I could shop and compare prices. I'll post some numbers later. Tonight I bought most of the necessary consumables, paint,filters,oil a belt sealers and such. $158.50.When in heck did antifreeze get to be $11.00 a gallon? This El-Chepo door stop will be over $2,500 with me doing all the wrenching and watching every nickle. I really haven't looked at crate 383's but a short block can't be much more than that. I'll chalk it up to fun and entertainment,besides the wife says a man needs a hobby.Wonder what the 396 I want to build next is gonna set me back?
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 14,924
Likes: 9
From: Merritt Ils Fl
Post was really a "Gee Whiz" type. Mainly to shed a little light on the costs of building a stroker. compared to a more stock build. I have a perfectly good,and stout, 355 now that has never seen anything like its potential RPM/power. So why build a 383, cause I never have. Why build a 396, same reason.Man's gotta do something to keep busy, torquing bolts is my way.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 18,346
Likes: 1
From: D / FW
If you are going to do anything serious it needs forged crank H beam Rods and precision ballancing.
Cheap is not having it blow up quickly.
Build tougher than you expect to use and have more fun.
Use good pistons and total seal rings. I used JE in my 383 .
A good 383 isn't much less than a 396 and much more common though I wouldn't mind having a Dart or Little M Aluminum Block .
Saving weight = better times
Cheap is not having it blow up quickly.
Build tougher than you expect to use and have more fun.
Use good pistons and total seal rings. I used JE in my 383 .
A good 383 isn't much less than a 396 and much more common though I wouldn't mind having a Dart or Little M Aluminum Block .
Saving weight = better times
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
For $2500 youre doing real good!!
I would be extremely hesitant to buy a bargain basement motor off Ebay, Ill let someone else take that risk. Even if they offer a "warranty", how are you going to enforce it?
I would be extremely hesitant to buy a bargain basement motor off Ebay, Ill let someone else take that risk. Even if they offer a "warranty", how are you going to enforce it?
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Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,171
Likes: 1
From: Warwick RI
$2500 is pretty good
My BBC is from ebay and was much cheaper than building my own. It runs fine but it is a little loose. I only need to twist it to 5K so loose is fine for that
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,658
Likes: 4
From: Clifton Park NY
I orginally thought ebay too, when I was deciding to build mine. Decided to stay clear of those.
Ended up getting the complete bottom end built with stroker kit, cam ,oil pump,timing chain for $2100. By the time its done I'm sure I'll have just over 4k in it. Figured I'd rather spend that and have the parts I wanted rather than the 5k on a crate motor.
Ended up getting the complete bottom end built with stroker kit, cam ,oil pump,timing chain for $2100. By the time its done I'm sure I'll have just over 4k in it. Figured I'd rather spend that and have the parts I wanted rather than the 5k on a crate motor.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 4,328
Likes: 15
From: Jacksonville FL
I just talked with my engine shop and he can do a 383 stroker with Eagle components and my choice of cam for right at $3000. This guy is well respected in the race community of the area and does 3-4 strokers a month besides his normal stock stuff. The only thing we didnt get into was work on the heads. It may be more for bigger valves and other tricks. I asm not looking for the fire beathing nitrous injected demon motor, just something with 300+ HP and still run on pump gas.
I have been looking at the short blocks offered on ebay and the ones I would go with come from M&R. There are 3 versions, one is bottom basement for about $1600 and the mid range ones are about $24-2700 and come with some nice choices on cranks, pistons, rods and rings. What your going to be doing with it will determine budget. Whereas I will get away with the $3K build, those on the race track and other HiPo uses will end up spending $5+K easy.
I have been looking at the short blocks offered on ebay and the ones I would go with come from M&R. There are 3 versions, one is bottom basement for about $1600 and the mid range ones are about $24-2700 and come with some nice choices on cranks, pistons, rods and rings. What your going to be doing with it will determine budget. Whereas I will get away with the $3K build, those on the race track and other HiPo uses will end up spending $5+K easy.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 6,050
Likes: 147
From: Phoenix AZ
2021 C4 of the Year - Modified Finalist
I got mine from a burned car for $300.
It was supposed to be a 350, but turned out to be a 383 with srp pistons and a scat crank.
turned out, apparently, whoever's car it was, they were trying to get the engine started for the first time, and it caught fire within a few seconds of running, and burned the car to the ground.
after chipping all the melted aluminum off the engine, and removing the heads, the thing didn't have any miles on it. everything was brand new.
It was supposed to be a 350, but turned out to be a 383 with srp pistons and a scat crank.
turned out, apparently, whoever's car it was, they were trying to get the engine started for the first time, and it caught fire within a few seconds of running, and burned the car to the ground.
after chipping all the melted aluminum off the engine, and removing the heads, the thing didn't have any miles on it. everything was brand new.
Last edited by coupeguy2001; Feb 3, 2009 at 11:51 PM.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 317
Likes: 1
my plan is to find a guy that has done all the work, collected all the right parts, and has his wife kick him out into the street for spending too much time in the garage, then I will buy it off of him for half price so he can pay his hotel bill, muahahah.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,171
Likes: 1
From: Warwick RI
I'm sure that there are a few of em' out there. I grabbed a $1400 shortblock back in 90' for $400 because the customer abandoned it with his $1000 deposit at the speed shop
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