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Well, here goes... I would build 383 but I would use an 86 or newer 350 block. This would allow you to use the factory (read CHEAP) roller cam(s) and the multitude of Roller valvetrain stuff out there. ALso, there are plenty of places now that make internally balanced cranks for the 1pc seal (so you can use your stock flywheel and balancer, keeping you a little bit stealthy) The 400 is cool, but if you have priced a used (or new) block they get to be pricey fast (with needed machine work) plus the roller cam is not a bolt in. Oh yeah, since there are so many 383's out there, there are plenty of affordable hypereutectic and forged pistons for use with 5.7 or 6.0 rods. Infact, Lunati has such an assembly with 6.0" rods, dished pistons, and a 1pc seal crank. So anyway, thats my vote...

 

I had a 383 and went to a 454. If I was going to build another small block I'd go with the 400. The stroke is the same as a 383 (400 crank) but the bore is larger. Stroke builds torque, bore builds HP. Plus the fact that building a 400 will usually mean making it a 406 so that's easily an extra 23 HP if the engine can produce 1 HP / CID. 23 HP can make a 375HP closer to a 400HP with nothing more than displacement.

You want lots of torque, drop in a big block. 450HP in a small block is getting on the edge of not being very streetable especially as a daily driver while 450HP in a big block is still a mild engine.

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Follow my racing progress on Stephen's racing page
and check out the race car

87 IROC-Z Pro ET Bracket Race Car
383 stroker (carbed) with double hump cast iron heads and pump gas
461 Big Block installed and ready for the 2001 racing season

Best results before the 383 blew up
Best ET on a time slip: 11.857 altitude corrected to 11.163
Best MPH on a time slip: 117.87 altitude corrected to 126.10
Altitude corrected rear wheel HP based on power to weight ratio: 476.5
Best 60 foot: 1.662

Racing at 3500 feet elevation but most race days it's over 5000 feet density altitude!
Member of the Calgary Drag Racing Association

87 IROC bracket car, 91 454SS daily driver, 95 Homebuilt Harley

 

I prefer the 383. The 350 block is a standard piece and doesn't require steam holed heads or special balancer/flywheels. Plus, 400 blocks are getting really hard to find.

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1992 Pontiac Firebird 350/Six Speed
1987 Toyota Pickup 383/500+ HP

 

If you look under my hood, you'll see my preference... a 400. More inches = easier to make more torque.

What cooling issues are you talking about?

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"So many Mustangs, so little time..."
ICON Motorsports

 

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I'll build one for you and stick it on a crate, for the right price.

Talk to the racing machine shop in your area that services the dirt-track racers. That's where the 400s are. Maybe they'll put one on a crate for you.

Seriously, the notion of a "crate" motor is a bit overused. A motor is a motor, with or without a crate. Some guy in your neighborhood could build it in his garage, or GM could build it in their factory in Mexico, or whatever; none of that matters, it's the results that count, not how it reached your door.

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"So many Mustangs, so little time..."
ICON Motorsports

 

Add my vote to the "400". The main reason people go for the 383 is the abundance of 350 blocks. A 400 is getting to be a rare commodity.

As for a "crate motor", GM Goodwrench and Dart produce short blocks. But that starts adding to the expense.

 

www.goautocenter.com sells 100% new 400 sbc engines with your choice of vortec or fast-burn heads. They also sell all GMPP/Goodwrench crate engines. Hope this helps. Draino

 

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383 for one simple reason... total investment and availability of speed parts.

 

...383 for another reason. 400 blocks have siameesed cylinder walls and tend to run hot if overbored. I put a .030 over 400 in an '83 Trans Am that I used to have and it ran really hot (I live in Texas). I finally overheated it, pulled it, and used the guts to build a 383 which took me another 40k miles 'till I sold the car.

-TA

 

I am in the 400 crowd, 383's are a dime a dozen. Be atleast slightly different. Anything you can do to a 383 can be done to a 400. There is only slight differences. And only the trained eye will ever be able to tell the difference. As far as anyone, I meet with my car, its a 305. yea right!!!
Later
John

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82 Firebird,408,Dart Iron Eagle 215's,Cam 229/239, .498/.520,TH350 Tranny, 750 Speed Demon carb, Hooker Headers(I.E. POS) Manual steering, Also a cowl for the big hole in the hood.
Shooting for low 12's.
Check out my birds new home.

 

I would rather have a 377 destroked 400, but then I am a RPM FREAK!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love to see my engines turn 9,000-10,000-11,000,12,000 RRRRRPPPPMMMMMMS

But this is just me

 

Anybody know where to get a used or new 400 bare block at a low cost(under $300)??
I've seen the GMPP blocks, but they are kinda pricey.(over $1000)

 

Junkyard.

Last time I needed one, it was $250 for one. That was in Memphis. The price varies from place to place. I expect it would be similar where you are.

------------------
"So many Mustangs, so little time..."
ICON Motorsports

 

Take a look at this fellas.

http://www.allchevyengines.com/406-435.htm

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BigBlockJason
85 Z28 T-Tops
http://communities.msn.com/JasonsStuff/homepage

 

read tha sig dood ,any qeustions ask em or email me ill give yuh da full specs an stuff.doin the 406 pontiac was the best decision i made for this car.

------------------
1989 pontiac firebird{trans am clone}
maui blue hardtop{new paint}
406 pontiac engine
demon 750 carb
crane roller cam@ 240 intake 248 exhaust
crane roller lifters & rockers 1.6 ratio
edelbrock performer rpm heads and intake
dynoed 457hp@5300 rpm& 503lb ft of tq@2490rpm
all the dressup stuff
12 bolt rearend from a 68 maro,3.73 gears now
17x9.5 zr1 rims up front
17x11 zr1 rims in back
275/40/17 up front
315/35/17 in back
rims are silver
gm 6 speed transmission
centerforce clutch
pioneer cd deck,and changer
infinity 6x9's and 4x6's
2,profile california amps 640sx
2 12" pioneer subs
prolly 100 things im forgetting lol
o yuh its hella fast

 

Mark406:

What's a 406 Pontiac? If it's a Pontiac, how did you mate it to a 6-speed?

------------------
"So many Mustangs, so little time..."
ICON Motorsports

 

400 sbc's have overheating problems??? WHAT overheating problem???

I ran a 11.5:1, N2O boosted, 406 in my prerunner that NEVER overheated and that's here in Arizona where it's hotter than hell (not many places get 125*, not even Texas). Like with any engine (motors are electric), pay attention to the little details, build it with quality parts and you won't have a problem.

Like someone prior to me said, if you want BIG torque for little $$$.... Go nitrous or build a big block. There's not subsitute for cubic inches.

 

well its a 71 pontiac block {i think} i dont recall of tha top of muh head,but its bored over to 406 cubic inches an the bellhousing was custom made {this alone was 249 bucks} its modeled after the 6.2 diesel or sumtin diesel i can get the specs form the guy if youd like.i had him make the bellhousing for me.any more questions?

------------------
1989 pontiac firebird{trans am clone}
maui blue hardtop{new paint}
406 pontiac engine
demon 750 carb
crane roller cam@ 240 intake 248 exhaust
crane roller lifters & rockers 1.6 ratio
edelbrock performer rpm heads and intake
dynoed 457hp@5300 rpm& 503lb ft of tq@2490rpm
all the dressup stuff
12 bolt rearend from a 68 maro,3.73 gears now
17x9.5 zr1 rims up front
17x11 zr1 rims in back
275/40/17 up front
315/35/17 in back
rims are silver
gm 6 speed transmission
centerforce clutch
pioneer cd deck,and changer
infinity 6x9's and 4x6's
2,profile california amps 640sx
2 12" pioneer subs
prolly 100 things im forgetting lol
o yuh its hella fast

 

400 is the best bet one guy once told me go with cubic inches if you want power have it bored over.30 to make a 406 i have heard that if you bore it more than that then you will have the heating probs everyone says they have. and i agree with everyone 383 are just to common to many out. and buy some aftermarket heads too they really help

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1988 Camaro RS T-Tops white. Was 2.8 now a mean 406 sbc
(mods)
750 Edelbrock carb
Performer RPM intake
Comp cams Magnum @.50 230-230 lift 480-480
Flowtech 1 3/4 headders with glasspacks for true duals and thats it for now
E.T. 1/4=?
will post when race season starts
2 10' Kicker comps
Kicker 500w amp
Pioneer head unit
2 Jensen 3-way 6x9

along the road
perfomer RPM heads?
NOS
pistons, rods
roller rockers
4.10 rear with posi
91-92 ground effects

 

I just put in a 383 in my 86 Z28 and I love it! The torque is scary! I can't wait to race it against my 72 Nova(454BBC 400+hp).

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Big 454 72 Chevy Nova
383 86 Camaro Z28
10.5:1compression 186 casting Heads,234dur.488lift exh&int,Edelbrock performer intake, Holley750 vac.sec 400 crank,flat top pistons,edelbrock valve springs and lifters,tranny shift kit,kickdown kit and tranny oil cooler. Will install 3.73's later on and might go with a more aggresive cam.

 

I'll vote 383!! Came down to common parts and I haven't seen one in my area yet!!!

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Phil87IROC
Blue '87 IROC, 383 Crate Motor, KB pistons, AFR 190 heads, ZZ-9 cam, Edelbrock RPM intake, Hooker SC/LT headers, Edelbrock 750 cfm Carb (#1411), stock T-5, GM 3.42 rear w/Auburn posi.
Ohio Valley Dragstrip Trophy Bracket WINNER - 8.39 ET on a 1.82 sec. - 60'. Best MPH = 84.44. Still Tuning Carb!
Red '89 IROC L98, 700R4, T-Tops, K&Ns w/open air boxes, 160 T-stat, Hyper Chip, gutted MAF, 53kv coil, MSD wires.

 

l'll have to go with the 383 simply because it's got parts by the dozens, someone already mentioned that theyre a dime a dozen and very common, why go with a 400 just to be different? the 383 makes plenty of power and theyre readily available