Motor Question

[77ChevySharkBite]

I've got one big question I've been kind of going back and forth with what motor I want in my truck. I'm thinking of getting a 383 stroker motor? I know everyone will have there opinions of the best motor I just would like to know some pros and cons to the motor? I know a big con is bad MPG but I'm not worried about gas being as its not going DD. Any input you can give me will be great!

[Ziegelsteinfaust]

MPG has more to do with the whole, and not just a part. A 383 with the right set-up could knock down right at 20mpg, and keep up or beat many new vehicles.

I don't see any cons to the 383 engine in a truck, and it doesn't have the Siamese bore of the 400. I would build a Vortec 383, keep the cam under 268 at .50 thousandths, and enjoy.

Stock heads are good for about .500 lift which is just fine for a DD or torquer. You could step up too Edelbrock ones for about 50 more hp.

[77ChevySharkBite]

Nice!!! Thanks for the input I've heard about some 383's put down some crazy numbers so I'm going to do some research I'm mainly wanting it to see have it's drivability but have fun.

Yeah it's not going to be my DD that I see as of now just a play toy and something to take to shows and show off my work.
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[Ziegelsteinfaust]

Look at Car Craft magazine articles.

They often try to do budget builds, and show how to maximize you dollars spent.

Also in the past when I had time on my side to build a motor. I would scour craigslist every weekend, and get the add on's as cheap as possible. Like aluminum manifold, better HEI, headers,MSD box, carb. Then I would use the money saved for better parts or finer machine work.

My personal preference is to buy a used carb, and then take it to my local performance guy. Then when he rebuilds it. It is now custom to my motor, and often times with the little additions that make them easier to tune. Then the price is often less then a basic Holley.

[INSIDIOUS '86]

If going from scratch a vortec roller 383 will keep street manners and pull about 480hp and 450ftlbs torque.
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[Ziegelsteinfaust]

The 480hp may be a bit of a stretch, but the 450tq would be easy. That is on what I would call street manners, but it would not be the worst thing to drive either.

I would say 425hp 450tq engine would run pretty much like stock, but would require aftermarket vortec heads or 195cc regular port sbc heads.

One truck I helped build years ago was a basic Vortec 383 with the bigger roller cam then stock, and roller rockers. They tranny was basic shift kitted 350 with a 2200 rpm stall converter. Initially he ran a 3.55 gears that it had stock I guess, but when he got on it the tires would give up. So we swapped in some 2.73's from another rear end I had for giggle's, and it worked better. The tires were 255/60/15's all around.

My guess for the engine hp was around 350hp/450tq. The beauty of the engine was it ran like a dream, and would start up quite easily when 40 degrees outside.

[77ChevySharkBite]

Thanks for the advice guys I'm wanting it to stay on pump gas, and still have driveability, the thing I'm trying to settle on is the power that I want it to have. I know I can lay down big numbers regardless just depends on how much do I want to spend on it.

[bk2life]

Originally Posted by 77ChevySharkBite

Yeah it's not going to be my DD that I see as of now just a play toy and something to take to shows and show off my work.

that screams BBC all day long..

383 blahhhhhhh

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