Hey guys, doing a lot of pre-planning tonight http://www.chevelles.com/forum/wink.gif But was just wondering, is building a 383 worth it over just your typical .030 over 350? I've been planning on going through my 350 for a while and building a pretty stout small block, but I can get a 383 crank pretty cheap through my work, just wondering if the extra 28 cubes were worth it for all of the extra "special" attention and parts that seems to go into building a stroker small block. Obviously a 400 would be ideal, and a few people have told me about benefits of a 377 over a 383 for drag racing, but if you have a 400, why wouldn't you just build a 406? Anyways, let me know what you guys think please, between a 355 and a 383 for a race car, thank you very much!
Jim - '68 Malibu/Sportsman(got to love those small blocks http://www.chevelles.com/forum/wink.gif )

I was always under the impresson that the increased stroke on the 383 provided both for a laregely noticable gain in torque,and a platform by which it could be increased even greater. I could be wrong, but anytime ive ever heard of a small block going really fast and putting out big power, its been a 383

In a heavy car like a chevelle the extra torque of a 383 will help your low end, but the stroke is too long to attain high rpm's.

If your just doing regular driving not high rpm racing of any kind, the 383 is the way to go. You'll feel it more when you take off from a stoplight.

-Ryan

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1970 Chevelle Malibu 2d

i think you normally get more rev from a 355 and more torque from a 383. I've seen some really hairy 377's to though you can do alot with that 350 block…

Hey, thanks guys, yeah my car is going to be STRICTLY a race car, so what you're saying is to stay away from the 383's for drag racing? And I've been learning more about the 377's(big bore, short stroke) as apposed to a 383(small bore, big stroke) for racing. Yeah I have always wondered about 400's why guys would de-stroke them to 377's, but since they are already a big bore motor, I guess it's to gain some more revs huh? So what do you guys think? Stay away from the 383's? Remember my car is being built just to race and is my theory on 400's correct and why they are de-stroked? Thanks again!
Jim - '68 Chevelle/Sportsman

I'd go with the 383 for a drag race engine.
I built a stroked 400sb (415) and it was fine for street and strip. The extra torque will get you off the line quicker. Depending on the gears you are going to use, you probably won't need more than 6k rpm to get to the end of a 1320 anyway. JMO http://www.chevelles.com/forum/biggrin.gif

[This message has been edited by BAD415 (edited 07-18-2001).]

I'm pretty interested in this topic too. I have a 350 4 bolt I was thinking about building for my 83 chevy 4x4. I was wondering if any one had any accurate info of apples to apples type comparison of torque curve of a 350 vrs a 383. I think its got 1.94's in the heads but am unshure....maybe I could get some of you mouse guys to give me some ideas what to do if I get the #'s http://www.chevelles.com/forum/wink.gif

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Philip Blackburn
Primer black 69 velle (far from done)
my motors done...
454-60 over
iron merlin rec port heads
Compcams promagnum rockers roller cam
.646int.653exst 280/286 w/110separation
10.25 compression
RPM airgap eagal rods
ARP bolts and studs
will run an auto
ACES # 04287

There is no replacement for displacement! If you have a 350 block build a "383". If you have a 400 block build a "408" or a "426".

The 383 can handle the 2.08/1.60 valves and the 400 handles them even better.

"383"'s can rev as high as you can afford to spin them! I spin mine over 6,000 without a worry.

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Redrum (or Mike)
68 Corvette - 383 CI 427 HP
69 SS Chevelle being updated to Pro-Touring
97 Z-28

bore bigger than stroke no matter what cubes you decide on. Drag racing a small block requires gear and rpm. Gear for increased torque multilplication to motivate a heavy car, and compensating for lack of torque a big block produces.

I think a deciding factor is how much to spend, and what E.T. you want to run, 10's 11's 12s? IMO if you want a dependable combo and low maintenance I would stay away from the big stroke small bore combos.