Smoked the NOM SB in the 66 vette with BB hood. Strongly considering zz383 as replacement. Any strong views out there on whether the zz383 is passé and I should step up to an LS? LS what is the next question - car has manual steering and i like it so weight is an issue and i dont want another BB. Need 400+ hp

 

I'd go LS-Carbed to keep it simple-PLUS I like the "old school" look.


Look at either the LS 376/515HP GM part #19171225 or the LS 364/440HP GM #17802134 LSx crate motors. About $7k and $5K.
Weigh in at 414lbs.



PROS-

More power per cube, less weight and from what I've seen a very streetable cam for over 400 horses-NEVER have to mess w/ your distributor again and about the same initial money for the motor. And these motors can be beat on and abused.

CONS-

Money spent on a plug in a MSD box (about $350-but then so is a good dizzy) and adding a low 6-7PSI electric fuel pump. There are motor mounts -mod x-member depending on transmission-z-bar work or Hyd clutch - figure out the accessories/serp set up-tach and sensors-water pump -heater outlets-speedo connection (if you change to a T56 6 speed). There are flywheels (and modded pilot bearing) available that'll bolt on the LS (flywheel .400 inset) and work w/ old style 11" bellhousings (621).


Running a carb- you don't have to worry about ECM-fuel return lines-modifying tank -loud pump-drive by wire-harness-O2 sensors etc.

There's a great article in OCT 2008 Hot Rod magazine where they compare (at the dragstrip) GM's crate motors. 383 is in there and so are a couple LS motors. The LS3 (FI) put down the 383 by almost 4/10's in the quarter AND about the same times as the ZZ427!!!

Richard

 

Carbed LSx. Good parts out there for a 23 deg SBC to narrow the gap some but still nothing compares to the LSx motor as far as power/cost/driveability

 

I built a stroker out of our 62's 327. I used decent parts, and spent a fair amount of $$$, but it just doesn't perform. It's reliable, and runs and drives OK, but it's pretty lame for anything but commuter duty.

We'll probably be swapping to a LSx engine in the not too distant future. I like what I've read about the injected 480 HP LS3 crate engine.

A late model, like your 66, has side engine mounts, which makes the swap even easier with the readily available adaptor plates. I don't think you could go wrong with either of the listed carbureted crate LSx engines.

 

I have the block and forged parts for a 377, so in the future that will be mine.

I would go for this if I had the money:

515 HP LS3, GM offers a carb version
Engine Overview: LS 376/480: LS3 + Hot Cam = Loads of Fun.

Pages 114 and 115 GMPP 2008 catalog shows the FI versions....but the carb'd is also available.

 

Go with the LS engine.... I just blew a piston of my zz383 shooting 150 hp of nitrous....

 

you ran a 150 shot on hypereutectic pistons? Brave man