OK, so i just swapped an HSR onto my stock 350 block. I already know the cam and the heads are the choke point, so i want to retire my old block and replace with a 383 with the right cam and heads to match. Im worried about compression to match the HSR and a cam/head choice. I have hooker headers and magna flow catback with a catco hiflow cat.
my budget is 3k
Im worried the hooker headers won't support a 383? (2055's)
im also running with a stock throttle body
so far i have the above mods with south bay fuel injectors 22#
kirban FPR
holley fuel rails
McLeod clutch

any input would be helpful.

 

Your headers are fine. A mild 383 is just that..... a mild engine. Your headers will support what you are wanting. The 383 only gains you about 20-30 HP over the same build spec 350

Compression, stick with 9:1 to 10:1 for best street, pump fuel use.

 

I see what you're saying, but I'm not looking for the same build. Im looking to put aftermarket heads and cam, but something to match a 383
is 400 HP a realistic number with a setup like that? Im not looking for mild, however, I'm not looking for drag strip setup either. street drivable bruiser is what i like to call it.

 

Yeah 400 HP sounds on target for an good headed 383, I can see even getting a few more out of it, maybe 420-430 range. Your headers are still fine for this.

Your goal and your budget is not lining up though, not as far as buying a crate engine atleast. If you was building your own I could see you meeting your budget, but an aftermarket headed 383 is gonna run over budget by a grand or so.

You can get vortec head 383 for around $3500.

You may be better off buying a 383 short block then buying your hheads and cam

Summit has this short block for $2000 # HPE-SP15
This one # MLL-BP3830 for $2100

This MLL-BP3832CT1 crate 310 HP for $2600 and this MLL-BP3830CT1 405 HP vortec head crate for $3300

Competition products has a dart head 383 for $4000 http://www.competitionproducts.com/C...-5/#.VKGGosAMA In fact that's a real good price

Heres a china alum head 383 for $3300 http://www.competitionproducts.com/C...tinfo/LB383AL/

Here is their short block.
http://www.competitionproducts.com/C...-D/#.VKGGYsAMA $1900

Over your budget, but I wanted to point this out just as a guide sort of to the power and parts http://www.competitionproducts.com/D...AD/#.VKGIHsAMA
Chev SB 383ci, 9.5:1 CR (415HP/450TQ), w/Driver Side Dipstick
Also features Howards hydraulic flat tappet cam (.465/.488, 225/235 @ .050, 112 LC), MSD HEI distributor

That's a pretty 'mild' mannered 383, good street cam, pretty good heads, good pump gas compression and makes 415 HP

If you go with a short block, for heads look at pro filer, brodix IK, dart shp, etc in the 190-200cc port size