Ins and outs of a 383

[joseph m. hahnl]

everything you need to know for a 383 stoker
http://www.chevymania.com/tech/383.htm

[BlownCrewCab]

Good Read.....

[VetteLT193]

That's the old school way... a few companies make kits now so you don't have to hunt down a 400 crank, turn it, and put all the parts together on your own.

Here is an example: https://shop.enginekits.com/osb/itemdetails.cfm?ID=81

[MOP]

I went over board with the internals on mine, a full Lunati pro mod kit with six in rods. I went mild on the cam looking more for longevity and good all around torque.

[Rodger]

I have appreciation for the 383 and in most cases would prefer it over a base 350 but why don't more people just use the 400 block and get the extra .125' bore? I built a SB 406 back in 1983 for my 16 Donzi. I used it in the boat for 10 years and then transfered it to my 64 Chevelle where it still is. It has served me very well. I'm aware that some folks are concerned about cooling but I used it in both marine and street use and never had an issue though I did use a large radiator in the car.
I really enjoyed all those cubes in that little 16 and had much fun with it. There were a couple 18' Donzis with original 454/330 HP TRS setups on the lake and my 406 in the 16' would pull away from both of them.

[VetteLT193]

I have appreciation for the 383 and in most cases would prefer it over a base 350 but why don't more people just use the 400 block and get the extra .125' bore? I built a SB 406 back in 1983 for my 16 Donzi. I used it in the boat for 10 years and then transfered it to my 64 Chevelle where it still is. It has served me very well. I'm aware that some folks are concerned about cooling but I used it in both marine and street use and never had an issue though I did use a large radiator in the car.
I really enjoyed all those cubes in that little 16 and had much fun with it. There were a couple 18' Donzis with original 454/330 HP TRS setups on the lake and my 406 in the 16' would pull away from both of them.

I'd say the main reason it isn't more common is parts availability. Plus, most of us already have a good block so it's a matter of a rebuild vs. a whole new engine.

So in short: Dollar for Dollar a 383 will be the bang for the buck performance engine for 99% of us.

[Rodger]

I'd say the main reason it isn't more common is parts availability. Plus, most of us already have a good block so it's a matter of a rebuild vs. a whole new engine.
So in short: Dollar for Dollar a 383 will be the bang for the buck performance engine for 99% of us.


Makes sense to me. I did have a complete, although heavily used, SB 400 to start with.