Do i need 383 pistons with the different skirt and ring locations to stroke my engine or can i use my 350 pistons? Im running 5.7 rods. Im running 50 to 55lbs of oil pressure is there any way to increase the oil pressure by putting different weight oil in it? is there a prefered oil pump for a 383?

 

one more thing to add i have h beam connecting rods will i need to have them ground in order to clear the cam?

 

You'll definitely need new pistons and clear the rods and/or block. If you want you can build a budget 383 by using the 400 crank (journals ground down of course) and the 400 rods along with the 400 flywheel and dampner and you won't have to clearance anything or change your pistons. It's better in the long run to build it the right way.

 

will i have to get my block notched with the 400 crank or is all i have to do is grind down the crank counter weights

 

If you do the budget build that I described above you won't even have to grind the counter weights..........my first 383 was one just like the one I described. If you use the 400 crank and rods, there is no grinding and you can use your factory pistons. The only thing you have to do is either buy a cast crank ready from Summit or something for 350.00 or find one and take it to the shop and have them grind the main journals to a 350 size.

 

Ahhh...
First thing it is a lot better to build the engine right the first time. If you are just looking for something to throw down into the hole then dont bother with a 383. But if you do want a 383 than do this.
Buy a kit. Summit or most race shops know of many kits to turn your 350 block into a 383. At least run the 5.7 rods and correct pistons. Also you will have to have the rods machined so they dont whack the cam. .050 is the minimum clearance between rods and the cam. Also make sure that you dont ruin the rods while grinding on them. I recommend a experienced machines for this. For machine work just for the 383 you need to have the block clearenced. This will be down around the oil pan. Also another job for an experienced machinest as you can easily break into a water passage and junk your block.
Also make sure wether the rotating assembly is internally or externally balanced. If it is externally balanced make sure that you have the proper flywheel and harmonic balancer.
Other than that it is like a normal SBC rebuild. 383s have the potential to be a great engine.
If you want to go all out get a forged 383 crank internally balanced. 6.0" rods and the forged JE pistons. This is an awesome combination unfortunately the price of the short block very quickly reaches $2,000. So it is not cheap but it does make a hell of an engine. Also remember that is easier to drop a set of new heads onto a really strong short block, than to put a new short block under crappy heads, once the engine is in the car.
Check ya at the finish line.

 

I have run a short rod stroker motor for about 8 years now. it was a mail order kit. I took it to my machine shop & had them do a real balance job on it (it was WAY OFF, regardless of what the mfg said it was). it has a stock 400 Crank, & rods (with ARP bolts) with forged pistons & Studded Bottom end.

the first iteration, had a victor Jr, a Solid cam, 3000 stall converter & 4.56 gears (& a little 150 tickle of juice). I ran it up to about 6K to 6200.

I have the same long block with a Hyd Roller & a Super ram & take it to 6K every now & again.

I think that the magic here is to keep it realistic. dont take this combo to 7K & it will hold together. if you want to take it to 7K, (or use BIG tune ups). start spending money.


my2c
BW

 

All I was trying to do was give the guy another option. A lot of people can't afford to build the bullet proof motor but yet want the power and torque advantages of the 383. I was turning 11.50's on mine and never had a problem with it. The only reason I tore it down was to build the twin turbo 383. I'm not saying try and snag 600hp out of it or anything but you've got to admit that 11.50's all motor isn't bad on street tires. Like I said it was just a suggestion and I wasn't trying to turn anyone the wrong way.

Dave

 

thx guys for all the help im probably just going to wait to make the 383 a later mod spent all my cash on trick flow heads and my wiend 142 supercharger im hoping to hit at least 450HP but i guess we will see but at least now i got the info that i need for later use thx alot