I've had it in mind lately to upgrade to a 383 Stroker. The big car really needs at least 100 more and more torque.
Seen all kinds of options, from complete engines down to bare stroker blocks, short blocks and all kinds of stroker kits. Lots of stuff in the GTA.
Ultimately I'd like a roller 383, 400 or so HP built for torque with a nice sounding idle. Carbed, that will run well on pump premium. Something that will just bolt right in place of my HO 350. Probably a one piece main motor as well.
To save some bucks on the build (but take far longer to get done), as long as the new block is compatible, the HO could probably supply the Vortec heads, Pertronix Dist, Accessory drives, water pump, crank damper, starter..etc. Even the GMPP intake could be used with 700 CFM carb.
Which direction? Any recommendations of which route to take? Anyone done this?
Basically a new short block with all my HO stuff, or another route?
Cheers, Mark
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65 Laurentian post, 67 Grande Parisienne 4 door HT.
Hey Mark I was just talking with a friend yesterday who has a very nicely done up 383 with all the go fast goodies including a supercharger with inter cooler that he's going to sell.i can get the specs for you, and it can be heard running. He has it in a 80 Camaro that can pick the front wheels off the ground. It also has a pro stock transmission behind it
Obvious choice is a big block Mark. Why screw around with a mouse when you can have a RAT.
I knew it was only a matter of time before the BB Hooligans showed up lol!
Anyway, all things being equal, how would a SBC, say 400 CI stack up to a BBC 396 (406)? Relatively the same displacement, but 200 lbs less for the SB. Would the BB still crush it?
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65 Laurentian post, 67 Grande Parisienne 4 door HT.
Should be easy.......eather look on line, or visit your local GM Performance Parts distributor for the latest GM Performance Part/Engine Catalogue. There you will find a host of SBC strokers, race, oval, and mild street GM warrantied factory built engines. It's quite the program and there are complete, long block or short block versions.
A friend of mine owns an 80 Corvette with the original mild, pollution 350 small block. She bought the GM 383 stroker engine through her local small town GM dealership and had them install it. It came with the dealer warranty for the install and a GM warranty for the engine. I bet the final bill was less than $15,000? No fuss, no muss.
-- Edited by Delta Tango on Tuesday 22nd of April 2014 07:32:20 PM
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"Repulsive since 1959"
2015 Camaro SS1 2014 GMC Sierra 1969 GTO 2005 Dodge Daytona Short Box Regular cab P/U 1979 Pontiac Grand Prix Enduro stock car
I think to get that big old poncho moving you should get the most torque for your dollar whatever that is. The 383 is marketed as a service replacement for the 5.7 in trucks so it has healthy torque numbers a large displacement sbc and small displace BBC will probably show similar numbers. As Delta says get the book at the parts counter, its free, at least at my Cadillac dealer it is. There are pages of choices there with dyno charts for all if not most engines sold.
-- Edited by 73SC on Tuesday 22nd of April 2014 07:34:29 PM
Just had a look on-line at the states side GM catalogue. "Holy Choices Batman!" There's more engines and configurations than the last time I looked.
My friend lives in a small, "hurtin'" town in B.C. The dealer had this 383 laying around in the parts department too long. The shop was dead. They were more than happy to have her buy the engine and have them install it. The right time at the right place!
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"Repulsive since 1959"
2015 Camaro SS1 2014 GMC Sierra 1969 GTO 2005 Dodge Daytona Short Box Regular cab P/U 1979 Pontiac Grand Prix Enduro stock car
Obvious choice is a big block Mark. Why screw around with a mouse when you can have a RAT.
I knew it was only a matter of time before the BB Hooligans showed up lol!
Anyway, all things being equal, how would a SBC, say 400 CI stack up to a BBC 396 (406)? Relatively the same displacement, but 200 lbs less for the SB. Would the BB still crush it?
Once you drive a big car with a Big Block you would never ever go to a sbc 383 strokers are dogs Spend the money and run with the big dogs (or go home)
...but that ain't going to happen...unless I decide to work till I'm 70.
Of course I'd love some kind of BB, who wouldn't, and perhaps in the evolution of things, that might happen someday, but until then, I think a stroker would fit the bill nicely.
From what I've read, they do give a surprisingly good bang for the buck when done right. And what really appeals to me, it that I'll not have to modify anything else to make this work under hood. Plug and play.
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65 Laurentian post, 67 Grande Parisienne 4 door HT.
If I had that kind of coin to spend, I'd have to do this Ray,
Of course I'd love some kind of BB, who wouldn't, and perhaps in the evolution of things, that might happen someday, but until then, I think a stroker would fit the bill nicely.
From what I've read, they do give a surprisingly good bang for the buck when done right. And what really appeals to me, it that I'll not have to modify anything else to make this work under hood. Plug and play.
Well you asked for opinions
Don't waste the bucks on a stroker (they are great in a Nova) you will be disappointed and never get a BB
Just drive what you have and don't waste your hard earned cash
4500 lbs and a stroker equals the same as you have now really don't waste the money
I've had more than a few friends pull the SB to go BB. And it didn't always go as planned, as the mighty Rat didn't quite live up to the reputation. In fact they regretted the switch and said they wanted the SB back...
....And then they burned rubber all the way down my street.
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65 Laurentian post, 67 Grande Parisienne 4 door HT.
I've had more than a few friends pull the SB to go BB. And it didn't always go as planned, as the mighty Rat didn't quite live up to the reputation. In fact they regretted the switch and said they wanted the SB back...
Do me a favor Go for a ride in Rays car then decide did you friends have 4500 lb cars ??
....And then they burned rubber all the way down my street.
350 HO Turn-Key Chevrolet Performance Crate Engine
From air cleaner to oil pan, this affordable and powerful 350 comes with it all
The classic 350 Small-Block engine has powered countless project cars since its introduction in the 1967 Camaro and it is easy to understand why: it makes great power and torque in a compact, affordable package. Thats exactly what you get in our 350 HO Turn-Key crate engine.
Construction begins with a brand-new engine block with four-bolt mains, which delivers greater strength than that old two-bolt block you were thinking of rebuilding. We also add a set of brand-new Vortec iron heads and a hydraulic flat-tappet camshaft with 0.435/0.460-inch lift specs. It gives the engine the idle quality of a true muscle car without the need for periodic lash adjustments.
As one of Chevrolet Performances Turn-Key engines, the 350 HO Turn-Key comes with the intake manifold and distributor installed. It also includes the carburetor, front-accessory kit, starter, fuel pump and spark plug wires. Its just about everything you need to get this classic 350 up and running in your project vehicle.
350 HO Tech Specs: Engine type: Chevy small-block V8 Displacement (cu in): 350 Bore x stroke (in): 4.00 x 3.48 Block (P/N 10105123): Cast iron with 4-bolt main caps Crankshaft (P/N 14088526): Nodular iron Connecting rods (P/N 10108688): Powdered metal steel Pistons (P/N 12514101): Cast aluminum Camshaft type (P/N 24502476): Hydraulic flat tappet Camshaft lift (in): .435 intake/.460 exhaust Camshaft duration (@.050 in): 212° intake/222° exhaust Cylinder heads (P/N 12558060): Vortec iron; 64cc chambers Valve size (in): 1.94 intake/1.50 exhaust Compression ratio: 9.4:1 Rocker arms (P/N 10089648): Stamped steel Rocker arm ratio: 1.5:1 Water pump (P/N 88894341): Cast iron, long-style Flexplate (P/N 14088765): 12.75" Recommended fuel: 92 octane Ignition timing: Base 10° BTDC, 32° Total Maximum recommended rpm: 5500 Balanced: External
Note: Distributor with melonized steel gear MUST be used with long-blocks and Partial engines with steel camshafts, or engine damage will occur.
Installation Notes: Comes with externally balanced flexplate for automatic transmission; requires externally balanced flywheel for manual transmission. Has right-side oil dipstick Requires fuel line from fuel pump to carburetor Fuel pump pressure is pre-set; fuel pressure regulator not required Some assembly and minor engine tuning required Designed for pre-1976 street vehicles or any off-road vehicle Not intended for marine applications
Just a thought.....why not check with some of the reputable engine builders, or speed shops in your area. If they have any engines there, they should be dyno tested for you to see the numbers and maybe even complete enough to drop in with little to no tuning...at very least they may know of something for you.
I had read the blocks need clearance work for the 383 rotating assembly to spin. I've heard machining work can be pricy........
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John
1972 Pontiac Lemans (daughter's car) 2005 Pontiac Grand Am 2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
Just find an old Canadian Pontiac with a big block, strip it for parts, put the big block in Komrade Kar and sell the rest of the parts off the scrap car to help pay for the cost of the swap.
It's been done before...
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1966 Strato Chief 2 door, 427 4 speed, 45,000 original miles
1966 Grande Parisienne, 396 1 of 23 factory air cars
Just another possibility . . . ever consider purchasing a DART 350, 4 bolt main with DART heads? Add a Voodoo cam kit and a 396 Stroker kit and numerous other goodies and you will be pushing 500 h.p. Definitely works for me in my '64 Custom Sport, M20. Believe me; this is no dog! PM me if you are interested in the details.
we love you, and you have a gorgeous ride, with awesome work done on it by you......
