I had been looking around at building up a 350 or 383 to stick in my v-6 bird, i found this Wheeler company that has an assybled 383 short block for $1900. From what ive looked at the pistons are forged 10.5:1 with 72cc chambers. Then in the summit catolog i found the trick flow tfs-k314-500-450 Street bracket engine set up for $1700. With the right intake and carb it looks like it would be capable of building me around 460 hp and 400 tq.

My only unsurity is how good of a company wheeler is, they have several good racing motors, but a fully assybled short block 383 for 1900?

If the block is as great as the site says it is then ive got a nice 400+hp 383 for around 4800, after adding lifters, push rods, intake, carb, headers, ignition, and the GM Serpintene set up for $550 with water pump and alternater included.

 

The stuff you just added is another $1500-2000 in parts...

Do some research on rotating assemblies on the net. See what kind of prices you can find. $1900 may be a steal for an assembled short block, and I know nothing really about Wheeler, but I just paid $1100 in machine work on my shortblock. I did use a stock crank, PM rods, and TRW pistons, so I have about $1800 in the shortblock w/ machine work, ARP fastener, balancer, etc...

Check around for some assemblies you like, then call around to some local machine shops and see what they normally charge to machine for, assemble etc a 383 shortblock. You more than likely will want to have the setup balanced ( I sure am glad I had mine done).

See what the prices you come up w/ doing that are and then compare. If you end up spending a little more buying the right parts, and then having a local, REPUTABLE shop assemble it, you will probably be better off.

Find a good shop though. Go to the local track and talk to the racers and see who did their stuff, who they recommend etc.