How exactly do you make a stock 350 into a 383 stroker

[87blackroxi]

I tried to find some posts by searching but didn't find too much. What I gather is you're basically boring the engine. Does anyone know any good links I can get more info on what is done. Or can anyone give me an idea what is done?
I have long term goals for the car. (very long term). just trying to plan it out.
thanks

 

[6 Shooter]

383 cubic inch Stroker Project for 2005

http://www.karl-ellwein.org/2005engineprojects/388project.htm

"This will be my very 1st stroker project from start to finish."

 

[MrPbody]

Actually the bore stays the same for the 383 setup, but the stroke is increased by installing the crank from a 400ci sbc. of course this also requires different pistons with a higher pin placement to compensate for the increased stroke. The longer stroke gives more torque. I actually went a different route by installing a 350 crank and 6" rods in a 400 block to come up with a high reving 377ci beast (installed in a Fiero )


Pbody

 

[AdvancedAutoCC]

Depending on what kit you buy ("budget" kits come to mind), you can have camshaft interference issues (the rod bolts hit the cam lobe)... doing a 383 is not a "drop in" job. Myself, I prefer to use an aftermarket block with a raised camshaft...then you can build a "real" stroker motor (think 427, 434).

 

[Edmond]

Depending on what kit you buy ("budget" kits come to mind), you can have camshaft interference issues (the rod bolts hit the cam lobe)... doing a 383 is not a "drop in" job. Myself, I prefer to use an aftermarket block with a raised camshaft...then you can build a "real" stroker motor (think 427, 434).

I've read on those "budget" kits. How are they? I see them for less than a grand and I'm wondering how good they are. I see they offer KB pistons, which I've read aren't shabby.

 

[Jack]

internal v. external

http://www.karl-ellwein.org/2005engineprojects/388project.htm "This will be my very 1st stroker project from start to finish."

While most cast stroker cranks are external-balance ... Most 4340 forged stroker cranks are internal-balance.

Are you sure you're working with external-balance cranks that require lotsa mallory/400-type weighted damper?

Also, How much is bobweight for each of the two cranks (3.8" & 3.75") you have?
JACK:gap

 

[87blackroxi]

looking at 6 shooter's project, it seems like there is alot going on requiring alot of time. As I've never done engine work before i am going to have a mechanic do it (Robert?). But it is a long way away (my corvette money now goes towards an engagement ring). Once the ring is paid then the corvette fun begins again.

What do y'all think is more worthwhile? 383 stroker or getting a new bottom end and go for 427. This is considering price and having someone else do the work. any ballparks $$$?

 

[MrPbody]

It's easy to spend someone elses money I guess. The big small blocks go for between $7,500 (415ci) and $10,500 (454). A 383 can be had for ~ $5,000.
I've had Speedomotive build short blocks for me in the past because they could build them cheeper than I could build them myself and because they do first rate work. they have a good web site with prices so you can dream all you want wile the rock gets paid off.

Pbody

 

[tnovot]

GM now sells 383 crate engines. Might be worth considering.
I would also suggest getting a subscription to Chevy High Performance magazine which has informative articles and a great technical Q&A section. At least try to get the Oct 2004 isue and check out pgs 24-50.

 

[Edmond]

GM now sells 383 crate engines. Might be worth considering.
I would also suggest getting a subscription to Chevy High Performance magazine which has informative articles and a great technical Q&A section. At least try to get the Oct 2004 isue and check out pgs 24-50.

They sure do. It's the ZZ383. I think Scoggins Dickey also offers the ZZ383 with a Super Ram as the intake. Can't recall off the top of my head how much power it puts down but it was

 

[SSTibet]

Folks, I often see reference to "small block / big block". And now in this thread there is "small big block"... Where does a small block stop and a big block start? What is the difference between them, physically and performance wise?

Cheers,

Selim

 

[87blackroxi]

I have actually heard it is sometimes cheaper to drop in a crate engine instead of stroking an existing engine. Is this true?

 

[ZumZum]

http://www.automotiveperformance.net/

Check out this place for short or long blocks

 

[korvettekarl]

If it were me I would go with the GM crate 383. I build about 4 hot rods a year for people and I haven't had single come back in 5 years with the GM crate motors. They are the best bang for your buck in my opinion.

 

[tnovot]

Folks, I often see reference to "small block / big block". And now in this thread there is "small big block"... Where does a small block stop and a big block start? What is the difference between them, physically and performance wise?

Cheers,

Selim

Selim -
The difference is basically in the design. The very first Chevy V8 in 1955 was a "small block" design of 265 CI. Then came the 283,327,350, and Pontiac 400. All were Small block design with larger and larger displacement. Somewhere along the line, GM adopted the Chevy as a GM generic engine instead of, for instance, Buick having their own 350 which was different than the Chevy 350.
Most small block components are interchangeable with other small blocks even if different displacement.
In 1997, a new small block was produced as the LS-1 with 346 CI. Components do not interchange with the earlier small blocks.
A 400 bored .30 over will give 406 inches. Yes, a small block can be larger in displacement than a large block. Confused yet?
A large block is a totally different design in both block and heads. In 1958, a 348 CI truck engine was pressed into service to compete with Ford's new 351. I'm not sure but the 409 might be just a larger 348. Then a little different large block was the 396, and then with a larger bore, became the 427. Now there are displacements up to 502 CI.
Hope this helps, Terry

 

[G Winter]

couple additions ... there was also the 262 ,267,302,307 and the 400.The pontiac 400 was diff from the chevy . Your right about the 348 and 409 being a family , it was the basis of the 396 also . The 348 and 409 had a deck that was not straight with the piston tops. It was set at a diff angle. The big block 396 427 454and the bigblock 400 ,actually 402, were much the same engines along with the 366 truck engine. I am not sure anymore, but there may have been two slightly diff 409s produced . The big block, 396 , 402 427 and 454 have a taller block and a diff bore spacing . If hib was here he would either tell you what the spacings were or give you a site with it on.
I will do a search and see what I can find for you selim
Http://antiquechevytrucks.com/contnet/engine9620Information/engine-intro-body.htm
this might help some.

 

[87blackroxi]

You guys never cease to amaze me. Thanks for the tons of info. I checked out the links and read the posts. good stuff.

thanks,
shane

 

[dooscoop32]

If you bore a 350 block by .030" and change to a 3.75" stroke crankshaft, this will yield 382.66808 cubic inches, commonly referred to as the 383. This same engine but without the overbore (standard bore of 4.00") would be a 377. Boring doesn't add all that much to the cubic inches. Stroking does.

CRVETTE

 

[Edmond]

I read somewhere that said the 383 was one of the most popular engines out there.

The crank is from a 400 block, right? Just the bore increase would bump it up to 355 and then the 400 crank would bump it to 383.

I asked the question of whether 33 more cubic inches to a 350 would really give the car that much more power. It was Ken who replied that stroke is the key in the 383 and the increase in torque was pretty substantial.

 

[dooscoop32]

Yes, the 400 does have a 3.75" stroke crankshaft. It gains its extra cubic inches because the bore is 4.125". This actually yields 400.92215 cubic inches but Chevrolet still called it a 400 instead of a 401.


CRVETTE