Hey guys, I just wanted to say thanks in advance for reading this, and providing any help you can on this. I'm torn between three engines.
Price is a BIG factor, as I'm trying to get as much bang for the buck as I can.

Here is the first one. Its a 525hp 383 from Speedomotive. Its $7,750
http://www.speedomotive.com/ps-473-6...er-engine.aspx

here is the other one from Speedomotive, only this is a 450hp one for $5,600
http://www.speedomotive.com/ps-163-6...er-engine.aspx
^ This one seems to be build rather cheaply though.... judging by the upgrade list below.

The last one is a whole $10k. Its Proformance unlimited's 510hp 383.
http://www.proformanceunlimited.com/...3_450drop.html


I cannot build my own engine, as I dont have the know-how or the tools (etc). I need something incredibly reliable as this is going in my daily driver, grocery getter, commuter; GTA.

Any light or other engines you guys know of, please let me know.
I really could use you (guru's) help on this, so any tips at all would be great.

 

I don't think you will be happy with any of them if you want your car to also serve as a grocery getter. I also think your T5 transmission will be crying uncle before long. If you have a 10 bolt rear end it won't be to happy either.

 

Thats what the guys were saying, being the T5 not being able to handle the torque. I'm looking into a Tremec as well for it. For the rear end? dont know yet.
I know its overkill, but I also would like a car that can cut it for track nights as well.

 

I can't say strongly enough.....stay away from Speedomotive.
Do a search on their name.

 

zz383 check it out.

 

thank you. I'll do that now.

 

For a dual-purpose car it's tough to beat a mild engine combo with a plate nitrous system on top. Docile and resonably ecomomical for daily driving, but an animal at the track when you open up the bottle.

N/A small blocks, even 383s, pushing 500+ HP are going to be a bit raucous for regular street driving and you will quickly tire of the regular fill-ups of premium fuel. Then again, if you've got $10K to drop on an engine maybe you won't mind so much.

I second the suggestion of a GMPP ZZ383 motor. It's a fairly aggressive combo putting out 425HP, but not an overly-aggressive lumpy misery puttering around town. And it's made by the mother ship which means it's gone through the same durability torture tests that GM puts all their production line motors through. You can build more power for less money, but you can't always beat a GM engine for durability and overall value. I also wouldn't be too scared to throw a small plate shot of nitrous at it.

No comment on Speedomotive other than to say I've had mixed resuts the few times I've dealt with them.

 

Thanks, well after some more searching, the GM performance parts line up seems to be the best, as their crate engines are ****-beat to the nines for testing, much like all their other engines, so I'd feel very confident with a GM performance parts one.

Is the (ZZ) 383 425hp a decent choice? www.cratenenginedepot.com has it for a little more then $5k for an (almost) turn key engine.
The T5 can handle 425hp without too many difficulties I believe I read... is that true? how about the rear end?

I love the torque curve on that fast burn 383, its as close to flat as I've ever seen on any engine.


(thanks for the heads up on Speedomotive, their a little too "hit & miss" for me.)

EDIT: just a quick question, I normally drive quite sparingly on the gas, and with the 2:90 gearing I'm currently using, what can I expect fuel economy wise?
Thanks again guys.

 

I would reccomend checking out T and L
They built my engine and i have nothing but good things to say about them, and their prices are very good.
http://www.tandlengines.com/

check'em out, or give them a call, i found them very helpful.

 

that t5 trans will be history with that zz383 unless you drive like my wife.

 

My shortblock 383 is being put together by T&L right now. Great people to talk to and work with. They know they're stuff. It is owned by Lloyd McCleary, who used to build engines for NASCAR. Yes, I know half the ads on E-Bay for different companies say the same thing, but I actually did some research...

http://www.nascar.com/races/truck/19..._official.html
CONTINGENCY AWARDS

AE Clevite Engine Builder: Lloyd McCleary,#61, IWX Motor Freight, Dodge


...Oh.. one thing! T&L is currently running about 4 weeks on short blocks, not sure about turn key crates. They're busy people but I am confident it will be worth the wait.

 

I have a ZZ383, a T56 and a 9" ford rear end. It is a great package.

 

^ Ford rear end? was that hard to install? are there any other options. I'd like to have about 3:23-3:55 rear gearing, with something above 400hp. Too bad the T5 is a very weak transmission. I'm going to try to hunt down a used TKO-600 now, or check for a reman. one, as $2k isn't something I was budgeting for.

Thanks for the link by the way. It looks like either the ZZ383 or something from T & L is the way to go. I can't believe T & L's prices. Its like speedomotive, but with the suck **** turned down to zero.
T & L Looks to be a very good choice. Proformance seems very good, but their prices are very high. I was hoping to avoid proformance, same with Golen engine service.

 

Those 5.565 inch rods are pretty lame in the cheap speedomotive motor. For that kinda money I'd expect something pretty impressive, but whatever.

I put together what is, in my opinion, a nice motor for less than 3 grand. I dont know where the other 2 grand go?

But then I didnt need a fully forged bottom end so you save around $1000 there. But those engines from speedomotive don't have forged bottom ends either. 2-bolt mains too? Yuck. Not that it really matters, it's just one of those "For the money" things, even though I've also got 4-bolt mains.

But mine is a 350... It simplifies a lot of things, and saves some money. But sometimes I wish I had done the 383 thing. I'd probably have spent an extra $500 doing it, though.

 

If you wern't planning on an extra 2k to be spent on a tranny you need to think about some things. You need to budget in the supporting mods you will need. Figure around 2k for a tranny, another 2k for a bolt-in rear diff (12 bolt or 9 inch), a couple hundred for subframe connectors. etc. Also keep in mind I'm probably lowballing there. Also are you doing all the work yourself or paying someone else to do it? If you're paying someone else expect to spent a few k more.