Ok I've finally decided to build a 383 stroker with my goals being 400hp and under $5000. I would like to know if this is possible and if it better to buy the engine complete or to build it yourself.

 

Yes it is possible.

Whether it's possible to take a stock vehicle and completely outfit it for that, in such a manner as to effectively use that power, is another matter. That would depend alot on what you already have.

If it was me, I'd build it myself. But that's because I've done such things before, and have lots of tools such as torque wrenches, micrometers, dial indicators, ring compressors, valve spring height micrometers, cam bearing tool, push rod length tool, etc. etc. etc. If you don't have all of that, and some experience to know what you're going to run into, then you'll need to farm out at least some of the work; building the short block, and assembling the heads, probably. Or, find somebody who has built a bunch of motors that have lasted many tens of thousands of miles, and get them to help you with the parts you don't know how to do.

 

Another option would be to visit local machine shops to see what they have on the floor as far as short blocks pre-assembled. Most if not all of the time these can be had ALOT cheaper than it would be for you to personally buy all the parts and have the machine work done. In fact I just traded in a new 355 eagle rotating assembly with a 2 bolt block and splayed caps-all hard peices nothing assembled, and in return got a 383 with Eagle rotating assembly, 4 bolt block though for $500 out of pocket and he's also going to degree my cam once it gets ground and to his door step.

Sometimes you'd be surprised what you can get. The current 355 I'm running I picked up the shortblock for $800 and it has had the dog snot beat out of it going on the 3rd year-but lost my cam last month, think a lifter hung up from sitting all winter and quit spinning for a second. It's made me 3x's that in purses from the track and will now be a back up.