I'm dead set on a 383. Nothing will change my mind, I want something different in my car other than the usual 350.


But what is the easiest way of getting started? Buying a used 350, and letting the machine shop go to work on it, boring it out 30. over, and taking a 3.75 crank, or to just buy everything brand new separate such as a block already remanufactured into a 383 block? I'm talking the block, heads, and intake manifold, not the moving/rotating parts.

Pretend money is no object in this.

 

Without a doubt the "easiest" would be to buy an assembled shortblock. There are so many of them out there these days, you can pretty much get whatever you want.

 

Heads i would buy new intakes are a dime a dozen when it comes to blocks well its a hit or miss when taking a 350 u would want a shop that can sonic test the walls and not just. Take it and get bored. If it checks out then let them go to work boreing,dipping,decking,knotching, and so forth but if money is not a problem get a good bow tie 383 block cant go wrong there

 

Building your own is a risky proposition. As you said, "If it checks out..." Why go through the hassle?

Buy an assembled shortblock with the parts in it you want, then add your heads, cam, etc., as you see fit.

A Bow Tie block will cost you almost as much as a built shortblock. Unless you're planning on 600+ HP, it's a waste of money. I know, the assumption is "money is no object", but that doesn't mean you should spend money unnecessarily.

 

I agree. Unless you forsee future big hp plans for the motor or are interested in getting the full assembly experience and headaches along with it getting a nice forged shortblock is easy enough now days. 4340 forged is basically a standard now days.

I started with a seasoned 350 block and an Eagle 400 crank. I had the crank turned down to 350 mains because it was a few hundred cheaper still than buying a 383 crank. The first block wasn't good after machine shop inspected it. I had to find a replacement then on assembly I found bad threads in one of the head bolts. I had to put a helicoil in it. If I started over I would probably just get an assembled shortblock. Heck you can even get them with Dart blocks!

If you got the cash and want it done extremely quick a full drop in quality built crate motor would work also.