C5 Tech Corvette Tech/Performance: LS1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Tech Topics, Basic Tech, Maintenance, How to Remove & Replace
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Short Block 383 Stroker

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 23, 2015 | 08:34 AM
  #1  
jdm767's Avatar
jdm767
Thread Starter
Racer
10 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Liked
 
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 284
Likes: 22
From: Concord NH
Default Short Block 383 Stroker

I need to replace the block from my 2003 C5 Z (along with all of the rotating assembly).

Since I'm going to be replacing the lower end anyway, I've decided to replace it with a stroker 383. My shop wants to buy a crated one in order to save time and get things going (the season is already slipping past with me on the sidelines...). The engine was originally modified by Lingenfelter to a 480hp. It has a really nice set of heads which will be reused after machining them to return them to line new condition. The cam seems to have caused not one, not two, but three catastrophic engine failures (valve meets piston = bad things). That cam will NOT be returning to the engine!

If you would be so kind, I would like to hear about your experiences with the different providers of pre built short block strokers - both good (and maybe even more importantly), and bad.

Thanks for your help!

Jeff
Reply
Old May 23, 2015 | 07:41 PM
  #2  
chris308's Avatar
chris308
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,721
Likes: 104
From: Florida
Default

I have heard pretty good things about Thompson Motorsports and nothing negative so far.
I plan on using them when I need to replace my LS1.
Reply
Old May 23, 2015 | 09:49 PM
  #3  
S400z06's Avatar
S400z06
Advanced
 
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 77
Likes: 3
Default

What cam? If you dont mind me asking.
Reply
Old May 24, 2015 | 12:52 AM
  #4  
Forcedvert's Avatar
Forcedvert
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 2,764
Likes: 375
From: Central Florida
Default

Scoggin Dickey out of Texas, no problems with motor, they had the best price of the three recommended to me for a long block, forged 383.
SDPC

Good luck
Reply
Old May 24, 2015 | 05:18 AM
  #5  
Fastbird's Avatar
Fastbird
Race Director
20 Year Member
Pro Mechanic
Liked
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 12,466
Likes: 886
From: Fort Wayne IN
2025 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
C5 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
2017 C5 of the Year Finalist
2016 C5 of the Year Finalist
2015 C5 of the Year Finalist
Default

When I bought my motor (forged LS3 based shortblock, 377 CID) it was down to LPE, Scoggin Dickey, or Texas-Speed. I went with Texas-Speed because research indicated they were built by the same company as Scoggin Dickey, but Texas-Speed didn't want a core charge for the new motor. That saved me $1K on the spot. Both were about $700 cheaper than LPE plus core which was only on the list really because they were local, but wait times really killed that.

Motor has held up FINE to some serious power.
Reply
Old May 24, 2015 | 08:55 AM
  #6  
Forcedvert's Avatar
Forcedvert
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 2,764
Likes: 375
From: Central Florida
Default

^^^^^^^^ same three recommended to me, but for a long block (I needed heads and cam anyway) SDPC was quite a bit cheaper, no core, took about 5 weeks.
Reply
Old May 24, 2015 | 09:44 AM
  #7  
ZZ06's Avatar
ZZ06
Drifting
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,649
Likes: 50
From: Goldsboro NC
Default

Originally Posted by jdm767
I need to replace the block from my 2003 C5 Z (along with all of the rotating assembly).

Since I'm going to be replacing the lower end anyway, I've decided to replace it with a stroker 383. My shop wants to buy a crated one in order to save time and get things going (the season is already slipping past with me on the sidelines...). The engine was originally modified by Lingenfelter to a 480hp. It has a really nice set of heads which will be reused after machining them to return them to line new condition. The cam seems to have caused not one, not two, but three catastrophic engine failures (valve meets piston = bad things). That cam will NOT be returning to the engine!

If you would be so kind, I would like to hear about your experiences with the different providers of pre built short block strokers - both good (and maybe even more importantly), and bad.

Thanks for your help!

Jeff
Am I the only one seeing this. There is a problem goin on buddy you need to have addressed. It is NOT normal for cam to keep trashing motors like that. "A" your install geometry is off, "B" ****** cam core, "C" someone cant tune worth a ****. What oil was used??? Im inclined to believe the latter. Either way IMO, I wouldn't be using the same shop again. What heads?? You leave a lot to the imagination as far parts used. I have a motor from Texas Speed and so far so good. Only has around 1500mi though.
Reply
Old May 24, 2015 | 10:45 AM
  #8  
Forcedvert's Avatar
Forcedvert
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 2,764
Likes: 375
From: Central Florida
Default

I could have reused my heads, but when I price shopped long blocks and factored in getting heads done, cam, labor.....done right, it was a no brainier. Ask how much for labor and parts and then add that to the short block price.... then price a long block from sdpc, my forged 383, with ported heads was not much more, when I factored all that in.

Good luck
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Short Block 383 Stroker

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




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 06:49 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