i want to build a 383. i will get a 350 and probably get a summit cast 383 and ser-vo-lite(think thats it) pistons. i will use the stock 5.7" rods. i will be building it between 350-450hp and as much trq i can get. how much would it cost to have a good balance job done? will i see much difference in the way it runs and how much better will it hold together? thx

 

$260 i was quoted. Seems high to me.

 

i believe you're going to have some clearance issues with stock rods and the nut and bolt arrangement. you seem to be building this with the cheapest parts you can find and then spending extra for balancing the rotating assembly. 200 to 300 is common price for balancing, call shops in the yellow pages since price varies a lot in differant areas.

 

my rotating assembly was 150 to balance, don't forget the block has to be machined to clear the connecting rods and that a 383 requires a cam with a zero lobe base to clear the connecting rods. And i might add, why are you buying a "cast 383" crank? why not go buy a crank from a 400, it'd cost less when you consider shipping, and it's the same damn thing.

 

I just had my 383 rotating assy. balanced Wed. $150.00 and took him 5 1/2 hours to do. There are several cast steel cranks out there. Becareful on which one you buy! My machinist recomened scat, says most of the cheaper ones come raw. But have plenty of material to remove for balancing. I bought a cat crank, and he had to add 117 grams to the flex plate because there wasn't any material to remove where needed. This was a one piece seal type crank, and I couldn't find a 400 flex plate to fit, had to use a 350 and add the weight. Pistons were off as much as 2 1/2 grams too, sealed power teflon coated.

 

i think i'm going to go with a 350 or 400 if i can find one and not mess with stroking and balancing and stuff right now.