Hot Rods Who's running a 383 small block chevy

I was in the speed shop today and saw a short bolck 383 sitting there for sale. I have no idea what that is so I asked the sales guy. Those motors are the hot ticket now he says. What's so great about them. Who's running them on the street?

 

It's a torque motor.
350 block stroked with 400 crank.

I really like mine. Pulls very hard on the bottom and still a nice top end.

 

Havin one built right now for the gasser

 

I have one waiting to go in my 63 chevy truck. I will be running it with a TH350 for now. Maybe eventually a 700R4. They are a torque and build most of the power in the lower RPM range.
My concern is trying to figure out what rear i need to have a fun stop sign to stop sign experience and be able to drive it down the highway with no overdrive.

I have heard that 3.08 gears and a TH350 is a nice setup with a 383 but I don't know first hand.

 

I have 3.25 gears in a 9" with a 700R4 (that has a very tall top gear already). That, plus tall white walls, and I am blazing down the interstate at 75mph and barely touching 2K rpm (20mpg).

 

Its a excellent bore/stroke combo for real world driveability and performance. Remember it's TORQUE that moves your rig from point A to point B, not Horsepower. Careful though like anyother build, you have the budget cast crank/rod, hyperuetectic piston, external balance model. Or of course you can have the all forged rotating assembly, forged piston, internal balance Mac daddy model. Wonderful all around engine, but for some the SBC is something to be desired even at a stump pulling 454 cubes. Persoanally, I prefer to build them with a 6.000" long rod, and internal balance. BDM

 

Lower to mid 300s with a nice 2800 converter. but you did say stop sign to stop sign. a set of 355 would be my choice for all around gears.

 

I have one in an OT truck. It has tons of torque and my 3 year old boy loves smoke shows.

 

Seem to remember reading somewhere that the optimum rear end ratio with the 700R was 3.7 as this would give you a cruising speed in the 70's with around 2-2300rpm, dependant on tyre, plus give you the stop light fun you desire.

Me? I would throw a manual in it and go and play.....

P.

 

got one thats together and another awaiting assembly. the assembled one is a mild 30 over flattop with a 540ish solid roller & afr ported sportsman heads. went 10.60's in my dads old elcamino , that ran on pump gas. way more motor than my model a would ever need or handle. the parts motor is a 6" dish piston deal that will likely end up with a 76mm. depending on your vehicle it will either be totally practical or way more than you need

 

X-2, aluminum head, pump gas and tunnel ram

 

I do, in a non HAMB friendly Z28 but I really like it. Dynoed 512 hp It's fast and fun with a 4 speed. Wouldn't mind on in my 55 F100 but I think a Ford should be a Ford.

 

had the 3.08/th350 set up in a 66 chev truck I had....ran great...getting ready to run the same motor..this time with a tunnel ram four speed and 4.11 in the rear...gasser 51 chev bussines coupe

 

I've got 2. One in my 56 f-100 and one waiting for my 32 roadster project.

 

Got 1 in a non HAMB friendly 68 Camaro. It's a 327 bored .60 over with a 400 stroker kit in it. M20 trans and a 342 12 bolt. It's a whole lotta fun. Have to run 93 octane gas with an octane boost though. It loves the racing fuel but can't afford that too often. Pushing 500hp.

 

I got one that I was going to use in my 31coupe. afr heads and forged internals should roast the tires if i need to. They have alot of torque and they can be built on a budget if needed.

 

To the O/P, to help you out, a .060" over 350 stock stroke is only 360.4 cubes, whereas a 350 w/ a .030 bore, and with the 3.750" stroke crank you have your 382.66" { 383 }. Good news is a person that can assemble and build a SBC, has a decent 350 with good bores and align hone, can build himself a 383 for around $2500 - $3000, that's with new cast iron heads and even balanced. A set of GM cast iron Vortec heads, a mild cam, 9:1, dual plane intake should net you around 400 horse and 450 pounds feet of torque. Best part is you wont even have to spin it past 5500 RPM if that. BDM.

 

I have one in a OT 71 Cutlass convertible with TPI. I like it. My friends with 455s in their Cutlass's are surprised when they drive mine.

I spent $2,200 on the engine including Vortec heads with big valves and a mild port job.

 

Same same for me. What carbs are you going to put on the tunnel ram? Smaller 4 barrels?

 

Nice cover up on the Chevy Valve covers.

 

383's seem to have the right combination of bore and stroke to be real monsters! Most rodders are amazed when they first put their foot in one.

 

I got one for free from my wife's uncle. Super kind guy. I felt dorky to be another dude putting a small block Chevrolet in my Model A (which isn't close to being done) but the engine runs perfect and cost me nothing. Heck, that counts as real hot rodding...making use of free stuff!

The kind uncle had the 350 for his older Suburban built to a 383 by a race shop that does boats, etc. After he decided to get rid of the Suburban, he asked if I wanted it. I said I would only be interested in the motor, and he said "great". Crap, I even used the Suburban to tow another project car from Salt Lake to my house, immediately after getting the freebie. The next weekend the motor was out and the Suburban was offered for free on the local classifieds.

 

Mine is a stock Chevrolet crate 383/425 HP dressed up to be a '65 L-79
Check out the "327" valve cover stickers!

 

m
Yeah, THAT's gotta have people wondering about the dist. location.

 

I am building one now! This will be the 5th one for me. This one is going to be 525+ HP on pump gas!

The reason they are the hot ticket is cost. Look at the price of rotating kit for a 355 then look at one for a 383 they are the same! Years ago they required alot of clearencing but now they require very little with todays rods. So the extra work involved is little. For the extra cubes it is worth it!

 

Ran one in my son's 87 Corvette convertible with a 700R4 and a 3.90 gear. Came out of the hole like a funny car. Ran strong all the way through top gear.

Sorry he sold the car but the new owner contacts him every couple of months to thank him.

 

I gotta new brand one. Just aint had time nor money to put in in yet.

 

Run one in my T. Drive it on the street and run it at the strip to the tune of 11.40's. Going to sell it soon too (engine only)...anybody interested can come by the house for a spin!

 

Currently own two 383 SBC. This one in the pic below with aluminium Edelbrock heads that i run in my 27 T
Also have a "crate" hi-torque (430 ft lbs. at 4000 RPM) 383 SBC that i will be installing in my wifes 56 Ford F-100
In the past i have owned two 406 SBC, which made more HP than these 383's, but were also more expensive to build.

 

Ran 383 with vortech heads it ran real well..... Put the blower in to fill up all the space.