383 build
 

So the time is finally here. I have the money and want to build the bottom end of my 383. I am currently running:

-holley 670 street avenger
-edelbrock performer intake
-e street aluminum heads 84cc
-comp cams cam (268/268, 454/454)
-tti headers
-8 3/4 rear
-auburn lsd 3.23 gears.

I want to build up the bottom end with my main goal being to build as much low end torque as possible while still being able to do road trips with it the odd time.

I have looked at doing the 496 stroker kit from 440source but dont think I need to go quite that far.

This is all in a 4 door c body with 9.5" wide wheels that I would LOVE to be able to do a solid burnout when done.

Thanks,

Gary

Looks like you have most of the rite stuff.....
My question is..... Is there any good machine shops that know Mopars near you?
I think there are a couple over near Devon and Castrol raceway... :)

There are a couple machine shops I could go to for sure it's just knowing what to get them to do.....

Ask them for a solid 10.0.1 or 10.5.1 Solid compression ratio set up, with a torque cam.. Something along the VooDoo cam.... That should put the motor up in the mid to upper 450 H.P. Range and be street wise......
All so you might think about a 3.91 gear ratio.... But that will depend on how much highway you are going to run.....

Just My 2 cents.... :)

Would you say the cam I currently have is a little too modest to make good numbers?

Yes.. I think So... The VooDoo's make better power and carry better vacuum at idle.
Dont get me wrong.... Thats a good cam.... But I think you will come up short. You would need more in the line of 270* / 280* Advertised

Now you can run that came... if your going to keep the lower compression and it will run all day long, but you give up the grunt I think your looking for.... And you really aren't using the head to its potential...

:)

Could I potentially use a 440 crank to gain a longer stroke and gain a little displacement?

Best to buy a stroker kit.....

I'm just looking at price of the 440 source stroker kit that will be basically $4000 in Canada by the time I get it.

Or I have a lead on flat top Pistons and a 1972 440 crank for $300 plus machine work I'm guessing I would be $2000 including rods. Best build for the dollar I'm thinking about that.......

Make sure it's a Steel Crank your getting..... If it's a Cast Crank?.. Pass on it....

Good to know thanks!!!!! I'm leaning towards that is my build!

Any down side to that really?

I like the idea of 440 crank and rods, being Canadian I know the cost of bringing in parts, and now the way the dollar is the cost increases substantially.

The thing to do is shop for pistons being aware of compression height, the stroker ones at 1.32" end up .025" below deck allowing room to deck and square the block.

You can end up with reasonably priced 438 cube short block, reuse existing heads, cam and valve train with the option of upgrading in the future when funds become available.

I agree here, no substitute for cubic inches!

Thanks guys! I'm thinking that is going to be my best slightly economical option. Any other tips or suggestions for this build?

Don't forget your oiling system and if not larger capacity at least accel and deccel baffles welded into your existing oil pan.

Upsize your fuel line and reroute in engine bay to stay away from heat.

Thanks coronet. I already have a deep oil pan and will be doing a new oil pump with adjustable oil pressure "valve" I'm going to call it. Also an oil pressure gauge to keep an eye on things.

I have ended up realizing that machining is stupid expensive at least in Canada.

For that reason I have decided to build A high compression 383. The shop I'm working with figures I'll be close to 500 hp with all my other goodies I already have. This way costs me about $2500. The 426 stroker would be about $7000 and a 440 by the time I get it, build it and get Headers to work in my car Would be about $6000. So for half the cost I'm getting to the hp range I want to be. :)

Thanks for all your help. I'll post as I'm building!

I like the way your deciding this by looking at options and actually pricing them.

I always wonder about the guys who ask "I want this much horsepower, how much do you think it will cost me".

I think the one thing to think of now is what type of bearing, short stroke with possible high rpm, your driving style, gears etc. Stay in contact with your builder to make sure your getting what you need.

3.91 gear with a gear vendors Overdrive If you use a 440 crank make sure to check the clearances for the oil pickup

Most of my driving is just cruising with the odd rip for fun and once a year run it down the track. I'm going to stick with my 3.23 gears as I do some highway cruising. Hopefully that doesn't hurt me too much.

This is my first bottom end build so I'm learning as quick as I can.

Thanks

With the 3.23, you will be able to get some high speed out of it. The C-body will have much less lift issues above 120 than the lighter cars.


Are you putting headers on your car?


I would be interested to see what type of gas mileage you get out of your 383. I have an 800 cfm AFB on my 440 (w/2.94) and cannot get it to give me rich enough mixture. I hear that Holleys give you plenty of gas at WOT, but give you terrible gas mileage.