I have just started looking into building a 383 outta my 350 tpi. I wanna know if u guys have any problems building or running the motor.Emissions aren't a problem b/c i know people. i herad of compression problems?? I have read the old posts and looking for some new info here. Also, what kits have you used?? This is what i have been thinking so far:
Miniram
AFR 195?? (not sure on the size)
Edelbrock headers
I have a Borla cat back

Like i said, any help would be greater

 

383's by nature are going to be higher compression for a given piston, So you gotta get into an inverted "half" dome piston.

 

I just went to go kis my 383 good-bye before it gets put back in my firebird, but to answer some of you ?s. . . there is no problem with compresion because pistons come in so many different styles and ratios that there are tons for you to choose from. I am personaly runnign SRP forged pistons with eagle SIR forged I-Beam rods and a skat crank with an 8" balance and 400 fly-wheel built for the one peice seal bolt patern. anyway, the best thing I can recomend is get the beast bearing you can afford, that is the most important part of the engine. As for problems I ran into. . . My rods had to be chopped in order to clearance the crank, and yea, I think that was it. Emissions are no problem at all, just make sure to run a 195 thermostat to cut down on hydrocarbons and you should be ok. Just make sure to break the motor in properly, remember that it has a longer stroke, so the rings are under more travel stress so let the suckers break in properly. Right now I am running edelbrok 1 and 3/4 inche headers and a full 3" exhaust with high flow cat, and stock GM heads. I am also running the stock cam until spring and to let the motor break in nice and easy. Even with the stock cam I am putting abou 345 to the flywheel with the set-up I am running, which will line me up for just about 400 when I get a new cam with some better numbers in it and tweak some of the smaller issues and the airflow situation. well hope I gave ya some help. good luck man. :-)