I have been looking at stroker kits for my current L98 and I have seen that there is a 396 stroker kit that a few company's make. Would a 396 be a good choice over the 383 or would it fall apart and or not hold up as well as the 383 kits usually do?

 

The 396" kits are pretty sketchy on production blocks... lots of guys hit water clearancing the block for that crank/rods. I'd say its a 50/50 chance you'll hit water because so much has to be ground out.

The power gain isn't all that significant over a 383" and its alot safer to build than the 396". If you want that many cubic inches, find a 400sbc and use that. The LT1 guys like the 396" kit, but their heads and intakes breathe alot better, and they don't have the option of using a 400" block. The LT1 castings usually don't have the hitting-water issues as often as the Gen 1 blocks do too, thought lots of them still do hit water.

My advice - build a 383, or find yourself a 400 block.

 

if deciding to buil such serious motor, u might as well go with some serious standard sbc heads and efi intake with 90* elbow.
the tpi heads and intake will kill any potential of the 396ci.
stock heads and intake even struggle to feed stock engine.