i just bought a 79 350, after a long search for a motor, for 400$. im doing a 383 build and so far ive stripped it down. the block is in great shape, 010 020, 3970010, 4bolt mains. ive taken it to a machine shop for a second opinion on condition and estimate on machine work and they also agreed its a nice block for .30 over, and for a big list of work to get done its gonna cost about 500, so thats all good. now its sitting in my living room on its stand, waiting for the funds. i just want a few suggestions, for big power making parts. first of all im gonna use ARP head studs, mains studs, and rod bolts. i found a 383 stroker kit at a local hot rod shop. Scat. steel crank, forged pistons 10.5:1 or 11:1 comp i cant remember which, and Hbeam rods, and all bearings and rings included for 1700. so thats all good, but any suggestions on heads, cam, intake. carb or fi. i have my sights set on between 550 and 600hp. im willing to spend the time and money on this thing, im really excited about this. its going in my 87 RS. Ill post pics asap, i have alot from arrival of the engine to now, and more to come as the build progresses. i have big plans for this build and for my car, but any suggestions are more than welcome. thanks alot guys

 

600hp is probably wishful thinking with compression that low with a 383. You should be able to get your goal of around 550 with some good heads in the 210-220 intake port range, properly selected solid roller cam and good single plane. Induction is going to be dependent on the your local laws though.

 

Yep a good 210-220 cc head that flows and a solid roller is 550+ hp all day long. Doesnt need to be huge on duration just good lift with a intake manifold that wont choke the heads. It can be done

 

I pretty much am doing the same build as you, except my block is done. I will post pics as soon as i get some. Stroker is the way to go...

 

What makes a stroker any better then a 406? I see everybody building 383s and I can't figure out why.

 

Its not better. But here are some points. The 400 block has notoriously thin cylinder walls. Also good 4 bolt 350 cores are common, any 400 core is getting rare. The 400 has a reputation for over heating. This is mostly because many builders have sought to increase the performance of the 400 by swapping other SBC heads onto it without drilling the steam holes. Done properly it isn't an issue. Then there is the just plain "cool" factor of having a "stroker" engine.

But most guys starting with an aftermarket block are going to start with the 4.125 400 based block. Personally i am planning my next build to be a Little M 406 using by 383 crank, rods and heads.

Since someone mentioned pimping a pic of their build i thought i would throw in a couple of mine. Shameless i know.





I have a sweet CV products front accessory drive kit w/short water pump and lightweight powermaster alt. for when it gets installed in the RS. Right now the motor is in my half ton.

 

IF you want a 406, the best way to do it is buy a Dart SHP block. Finding good 400 blocks is somewhat difficult and they arent very strong anyway. But i do know of one gm block 406 that was running high 10's n/a and 10.0's on a 150 shot for many years with no problems. I was impressed

 

yeah im good with 550, thanks alot too, ive been looking at summit getting lists down of parts and ill narrow it down eventually.

 

i am building a 414 out of a 350 4 bolt block right now, 4" stroke crank and 6" rods, bored 60, had the block cnc machined and thickness tested. clearenced that block for the crank was very easy didn't have to take a lot off, hit one water jacket but was a very small hole, filled it with titanium devcon, it should be a very powerfull motor.

 

this is the stroker kit that i was going to get but was talked in to going bigger.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/SBC-C...item5638de3519