383 Stroker Opinion

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Sep 23, 2011 | 09:56 AM

Tyloewen

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Heel & Toe

Joined: Dec 2010

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383 Stroker Opinion

I am debating if I should improve my HP and torque with a 383 stroker, the only thing is I have an automatic car. What are your thoughts on how I should go about doing this. Can I still do a 383 with an automatic? Its a 1985 with a L98 btw.

Sep 23, 2011 | 10:01 AM

cv67

Team Owner

Joined: Oct 2004

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From: altered state

St. Jude Donor '05

Bigger is better
People having been building strokers for decades, no problem on your car too.

Sep 23, 2011 | 10:08 AM

1963SS

Drifting

Joined: Dec 2007

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From: Argillite KY

I agree that there's no problem. Bigger is better in most cases. I personally like the torque of a 383 but you would have to be a fuzz on the careful side when launching it. The Dana 36 rear may not be too happy but if you are not loading it up very much then you should be OK. Also your transmission probably won't last as long as you'd like in the stock configuration. Several hard shifts might just do it in.

Other than that....go for it. The 383 will leave you with a Joker like perma-grin on your face.

Sep 23, 2011 | 11:05 AM

Tyloewen

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Heel & Toe

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Just what I like to hear. Thanks for all the opinions!

Sep 23, 2011 | 11:14 AM

Dr.Huxtable

Burning Brakes

Joined: Nov 2010

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From: Spartanburg South Carolina

Stroke it! You'll never look back. You can even stroke the block you have. Stroker cranks are not that expensive these days and brand really doesn't make that big a difference. After market will be less work and money as you won't have to turn the main journals down. Even stock rods can be used for 450 - 500 hp if your not turning 6k + Rpm for sustained periods of time. Get some good pistons though

Sep 23, 2011 | 11:48 AM

96 lt-4

Drifting

Joined: Oct 2005

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From: Angier nc

383 is a great way to get a lot of torque.Bear in mind you will need to modify the intake,heads,and exhaust to take full advantage of the 383's potential.

Sep 23, 2011 | 01:00 PM

GREGGPENN

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From: Overland Park Kansas

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Tyloewen

If you do some reading, you'll find a consistent pattern of people needing/wanting to do some work to their tranmission and Dana36 after a signficant performance build. If you change the powerband (where it makes power), you'll want a torque converter. Depending on the gear ratio, how a 383 is setup, and how you drive it, people also end up converting to a Dana44 rear end.

There is a huge range of results for a 383 conversion. By just stroking it, you'll get 30hp but pick up torque all the way from idle to redline. And, it will be noticable. Depending on how you install the cam, you can get more low-end responsiveness. (On my 89, the stock config is to retard OEM cam timing IIRC.)

Of course, you can/should consider what to do in a car with a new bottom end. Will you get porting? Will you get new heads? Will you change the intake? Are you OK with the extra expense of bigger injecters and tuning? How about headers?

Your question is loaded at best. Any specific answer here is only as good as their PERSONAL interpretation of how you might build it and run it.

Sep 23, 2011 | 04:27 PM

stevie1dr

Pro

Joined: Jun 2006

Posts: 508

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From: Miami Florida

Go for it! you'll love it. Don't be so concerned about the Dana 36 handling it. If you really boost the HP, you'll want to change the converter and at that time, beef up the tranny. I run mine every weekend with a 3.73 rear gear and run in the low 12's without straining.

Steve