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The 383 that I'm bulding has 6" rods. This is the first 383 I'm building. I do have have lots of 6" rod engine builds and rebuilds with my late model race car (358 cid). Everyone runs the longest rods the rules allow (tells ya something). The biggest gains we get are from increase dwell @TDC and BDC. And the ring package works much better (less piston rocking), less contamination and chance of detonation(oil burns hotter). Run thinner rings (less weight\friction, increase self cleaning). Pistons and rings last longer.
I do 40 miles of interstate driving (2100-2300rpm) a day, 6" rods wasn't a choice...unless I want a oil consuming motor after a year or so.
I wish I had the time and money to build both...run both..do a leak down comparison after 20K miles.
It's surprising what a 1/4 inch can do.....thats what "she" said (i know... bad taste) Hope this helps someone.

 

Im considering all options at the moment after all idle hand are the devils play things I found this on one of they guys around here sig http://www.airflowresearch.com/Articles/A3-P1.htm
They talk about usong 6in rods from a fNord 300 6.
I've had 300 6's before and the rods from these are much better than GM rods, stock for stock.
Just food for though and a good artical.
SSC


EDIT: fNord 600, I 6 rods are 6.2.

 

Smokey Yunick would tell you to use the longest rods you can stuff into the block. I won't presume to second guess a past master on a subject like this.

I built one for a friend. Worked well. Can't say it was worth much, near as I could tell, power wise over a 5.7 or even a shorty 5.56" rod.

Logevity wise it seemed to do OK (until I lost track of it eventually). Many people freak out about the wrist pin being up into the oil ring land. I was worried, too. But there was apparently nothing to worry about. Seemed to work just fine for a long time. Just isntalled the rings per the instructions that came with the piston, no problems to report.

If I HAD TO BUY RODS ANYWAY, I'D BUY 6"ers. If I had a perfectly good set of 5.7" rods laying around (I have scillions of them), however, I wouldn't waste money just to get a set of 6s.

 

i read that article a long time ago. 400 block, 327 crank, ford 6.25? rods , and custom je forged pistons. speed o motive sells the kit for $1500 i think. they advertise it in the mags. they claim they've been building these "new 350's" since the 60's . after the mag article things took off for the combo they said. sounds/looks like a killer motor.