350 vs 383

[ubanks2000]

Im glad you guys know Tq makes you go fast and not HP, now somebody go tell the Honda guys.....LMAO

 

[Brick442]

My suggestions for your best insurance:

1. Don't get a shop to build you any engine.
2. Don't buy from an unknown company or an ebay site.
3. For your best insurance (which will save you money in the long run) your best bet is to buy a crate motor, a complete, turn key, crate motor with warrantee. Save up your money for it and do it right.

Now, some people will advise differently, but like I said, I've had an engine built a few times, and there is always something or other that went wrong. Once it was the bearings. Man that is the worst. Whole engine needs to be taken apart in that case. There are a lot of intricate details to consider when building an engine. Also, there are many "tricks of the trade" that some follow, some don't know about. A known engine builder has been through all of this and can offer a crate motor with a warrantee, it eliminates the guess work, and leaves you with a reliable engine, which you can get good power from.

ditto in #1 too. I quit dickin around with engine builders along time ago. I had one of the best engine builders in NJ build me a sick 350 sbc a while ago. Thing hauled *ss for 500 miles, then the problems began. Had to remove the heads twice and bring them down to him to have valve jobs. Then I measured the pushrods and realized he had the wrong length pushrods. and this was an expert builder who built race cars. Problem was I took second priority to all of this "regular customers" (pro racers, etc.). The thing took forever and when he did get to it he rushed it.

 

[hotrod87]

I know what you are saying is true about most engine builders, but check out Steve Schmidt's website. They are out of Indianapolis and offer warrenties on all their motors....they even offer a one year warrenties on racing engines (as long as you don't use power adders)

 

[madmaxstyle]

There's 2 kinds of 383's that can be built. One is a destroked 400 (400 block 350 crank) and the other is a stroked out 350 (350 block 400 crank)

I found this link w/ some good info
http://www.carcraft.com/techarticles/cc ... index.html

 

[NAILS]

if your breaking the 400hp 400tq mark, keep in mind that you have a stock rear which is a weak point to the drive line. a torque maker like a 383 ( that can also wind up and hold top end ) will no doubt explode that 7.5" stock rear at some point in time. you may want to consider spending a few bucks on an aftermarket posi and axles with extra spline or go for broke and upgrade to a 8.5.

if your really looking for a "crate" motor and not interested in a local machine shops assistance, check out these guys- ive used them for some of my customers cars:
http://www.proformanceunlimited.com/spe ... 360hp.html
they can make damn near anything you want- warranty included.