I was collecting parts to build a 355 when a buddy at work told me his friend is selling a TPI 383 from intake to oil pan with the ECM for $800. Story is it was in this buddy's car for a couple thousand miles until he wrapped the rear end of the car around a light pole. I've asked for specs on the engine but all he can tell me is that it's all forged. No info on the rod length, piston type, deck height, or anything. He says it runs good and is dyno'd at 500 hp, I'm assuming at the flywheel.

My concern is that I really want to know all these specs so I can optimize it with the heads, cam, intake I want, but for $800, it's hard to pass up even as a mystery stroker.

Do you guys think, it be worth the buy if it runs? I figured I could use the short block and just pull one piston to check rod length, cc's, etc. What would you guys do if you came across this deal?

Thanks in advance

 

I came across a similar story last year found a 355 with big cam, world heads, intake etc. Spent a good amount of time getting it in my car running right but never ran right needless to say about 3 months later i spun ALL the bearings. The machine work SUCKED when it was taken down nothing was done right. Long story short, you never know what kind of work was done to the engine and even for $800 if could end up costing you more in the long run

 

Save yourself the grief....pass.

 

From what I'm hearing, if I knew all was good with machining and parts, then maybe I'd do it but I think I'm going to pass. I've already done a lot of homework for this 355 build, I'll stick to my guns unless convinced otherwise.

Thanks guys.

 

I would wistle the engine and see if its 383..and if it runs,,its damn cheap for 800 !!!!

 

If the internals are all forged and he is getting a complete engine... Wouldn't it be worth it to buy it and take it to a reputable machine shop to be torn down and put back together with piece of mind. Then you would know what you had and who built it.

 

100%

 

That's a good idea, I'm sure the builder could then tell me all the specs (rod length, piston cc, etc). The $800 should be offset by selling the harness, TPI set up, and heads it has on it.