Hey guys. I am planning on finding a nice, used 350 block, 4 bolt main, from the fall englishtown swap meet. Then getting the 400 crank and all the other necessary engine parts for a 383. Basicaly I will have a whole new 0 miles engine. I am hoping for at least 500hp which shouldn't be too hard. I do plan on spending a lot of money, like $10,000-$15,000 for the engine, tranny, rear gear and body mods (sig). Does this sound like it is worth it? Could I do everything I want to for that price range? Thanks in advance guys.

~Matt

 

It's your money, only you can decide if it's worth it.

I have a racer buddy who has a 500 HP 383 in his '57 Nomad. Goes down the track at 3950 pounds, runs 13.2's at 5800' elevation. That's 12.2's at sea level. He had over 800 runs on it before he had it freshened last winter.

Only about half the money (or less) will go into the engine. The rest is spent supporting it.

 

So you think only about $5,000 to $7,000 on the engine? That is what I was thinking. Then with a nice rear, new axles, beefed up tranny, and the paint/tires/decals, that would put me at about the above range I posted before. I am just very lucky to own my dream car right now at a young age, so I have big plans. I wanted this car since I was 5 and I was watching Knight Rider. So do you think an 86 trans am with a 500hp 383 could hit 11s then at normal elevation five7?

~Matt

 

Yes.

Figure about $2000 to get a TH700 that can handle that power (tranny & TC - less if you go TH350 or TH400). About the same for a 12-bolt or 9-inch. You're going to have to put subframe connectors in, modify the chassis to mount the rear & torque arm, and don't forget the roll cage since you'll be under 12.00 sec. Probably need a cowl hood.

You could easily do the engine for $5k. It's the rest of the stuff that's going to be expensive and time-consuming.

 

Thanks five7. Yea, I forgot about the 12.00 sec and under rule. I will just run it once, and when I get my timeslip and am kicked out, I will just street race I figured the engine wouldn't be too bad, but the rear, axles, TC, tranny, connectors, and other traction/suspension mods will be a lot of money. I don't plan on it being done soon, I don't even have much money yet. But I am going to build as I go, especially now that I have the Blazer. Thanks again. Anyone think it is not worth it?

~Matt

 

definitly worth it.