Re: 383 Stroker Vs. 454 Big Block
 

^ I've seen several 454's in front of OD trannies that are in the 12 - 15mpg range. I've also seen a few nasty smallblocks that couldn't get 10mpg downhill, downwind.
You're certainly right about the difference, though. A 454 is just beginning to run good at 500hp where a 383 is beginning to strain.

Re: 383 Stroker Vs. 454 Big Block
 

This is the exact reason I'm going with a 502. 450 horsepower and 550 torque and very good street manners. I don't think a 350 or 383 could achieve those numbers and remain as mild mannered. If street manners aren't a priority to you then the small block would be the easier route.

Re: 383 Stroker Vs. 454 Big Block
 

Forget SBC or BBC, go with a LS based motor and call it good. Thee isn't very many if any sbc or bbc parts that can stand up to the power a LS motor can handle. I am starting to build a 6.0l based turbo motor for my truck using a stock block and stock heads. The only reason I am not using the stock crank and rods is bc I am getting a stroker kit for it. The stock 6.0l crank can handle upwards of 1000hp. If I can stay out of the throttle when I get my truck done I should be able to squeeze 15-20 MPG out of it easily and be close to running 10s in the 1/4. I just have to get the power to the ground, and it is possible it just takes the right combination of parts.

Re: 383 Stroker Vs. 454 Big Block
 

That is true, bb's can get good mpg, but, i mean common lol theres no replacement for displacement.

"......it just takes the right combination of parts."-----well said.

yes u can use an ls motor, if you got a even deeper pocket book, but hey if ur going that far, throw some twin garret turbos, 150 shot of nos.... lol

Re: 383 Stroker Vs. 454 Big Block
 

yall are crazy... :lol:

i have a 62 with a 468/400 combo with 3.07 gears and im pinchin 12mpg in town, right now its got 295-50s on the back and after they warm up a lil bit :burnout: it definately has neck snapping power and it will run low 12s on premium pump gas

and when i get to virginia i plan to tub it and do a twin turbo bigblock pushin 1000hp... total build cost = just shy of $11,000

EDIT: i just roughly priced out a similar twin turbo'd 383 and it would cost (again this is a rough estimation) $10,000 give or take a couple hundred for misc. stuff. but the big block is turbos to pan complete the 383 is just vital components

Re: 383 Stroker Vs. 454 Big Block
 

I still havent heard mention of a budget here. I have to admit I'm a little skeptical in that regard, OP kind of sounds like a kid, and like he's starting with a $500 truck and wants to take on the world. I only say this because I sounded like that 25 years ago. Hey, correct me if I'm wrong. If I am wrong, then my vote would go to a healthy big block, but a 383 is also a great choice. Problem is you're always going to have somebody beat you, whether it's a late model diesel with a tune and mods, or a ricer. And if you do beat them they'll just say they aren't wasting as much gas as you. It's all been done before.

A better solution would be a complete tune up on what you got (it may not be as tired as you think) then throw a set of headers on it. You can make it run good and sound nice for reasonably short money, it will feel reasonably strong for a daily driver, and will sound like more than it really is. Next, save up for some chrome valve covers and a chrome air cleaner.

Re: 383 Stroker Vs. 454 Big Block
 

One other advantage of a big block is the ability to use factory parts - crank, rods, heads, block - to get his 500hp. No need for aftermarket stuff other than cam, pistons and intake.

Re: 383 Stroker Vs. 454 Big Block
 

If you have the money to go big block, DO IT!

383s are beast but if you put an aftermarket cam, heads, intake, etc. on a big block, prepare for a scary fast truck.

Keep in mind though when you make power you need to build the rest of the truck too, trans, suspension, etc. or it will go to waste.

Re: 383 Stroker Vs. 454 Big Block
 

The 6.0l that I am swapping in stock with a nice cam will have close to 400 rwhp and it will be under $3000.

Granted the 390ci stroker and turbo are going to add about $5-6k to the build.

Going fast cost money and how fast you want to go depends on how deep your pockets go.

Don't get me wrong there will always be a place for a healthy SBC or BBC in my future stable and if I were to build an all out race vehicle it would probably have some sort of BBC in it.

No matter what route you choose to go if you want to shoot for the fastest street vehicle, it is going to require SUPER deep pockets. Besides, what is the point of building something to only go fast on the street? Why not do it where it is supposed to be done?

Re: 383 Stroker Vs. 454 Big Block
 

^^ so true.

Honestly it just takes money to go fast. Unless you have free access a crazy machine shop and alot of knowledge.

Re: 383 Stroker Vs. 454 Big Block
 

And it pays to keep in mind that in general speed limits only go to 65 mph, some places a tad more. In addition to this there are laws against reckless driving, street racing and breaking traction. just sayin'

Re: 383 Stroker Vs. 454 Big Block
 

you can get nailed by reckless driving for ANYTHING here in california.

Re: 383 Stroker Vs. 454 Big Block
 

I strongly agree. Im still fairly new to American Muscle. Ive owned several VW's some turbo but most N/A & the majority of them were all old school GTI's with complete suspension from Coils to sway bars and all that good stuff. Not a single one of my dubs made over 170whp but I was able to take a turn at 80mph without breaking a sweat. Now I have a space ship thats all over the road at 30mph on a turn lol (I may be over exaggerating a bit but they are two completely different vehicles.) I went from FWD with an avg of about 130whp with a car set up for cornering to a RWD truck with about 450whp made to go in a straight line.. 2200lbs with me in it vs 4200 lbs with me in it. & honestly regardless of what anyone says a 400whp+ truck halls ass! I think a well built 383 stroker will be plenty for you. I do not mean to offend but you come off a bit amateur and being the fastest on the road takes some responsibility. know when to race what ever it is you drive & be safe doing it.

Again I vote 383 Stroker its whats under my hood and as of yet its plenty to play with.

Re: 383 Stroker Vs. 454 Big Block
 

your truck is 4200?!

Mines 3850 with me in it!

Re: 383 Stroker Vs. 454 Big Block
 

i say 406! go look around for a good 400 core and your already ahead of the game, but make sure it is a good one to start with and sit down with a machinest and come up with a plan! im only 18 and have yet to do this but im pretty sure thats the route ill be going, if not its the 383 as i already have a couple 350 blocks

Re: 383 Stroker Vs. 454 Big Block
 

I have pondered the idea back and forth between the bbc and sbc and it seems that around here all my friends are comparing their cars to rockets (hondas) and dont get me wrong there fast, but im in a small town. Most guys with 300hp chiped 5.3l vortecs or new hemis are tearing up our streets, so a good well built small block will put you ahead of them!

Re: 383 Stroker Vs. 454 Big Block
 

I have looked but you have yet to give us a little bit of a range to what your budget would be. You seem to be young like me and id love to get ''DECENT'' gas mileage as I like to drive around alot during my free time. As well as back and forth to work and or school. if I could get anywhere from 11-15 mpg out of a performance small block Id be more than happy. These trucks arent exactly aerodynamic!

Re: 383 Stroker Vs. 454 Big Block
 

I was guessing lol I usually hear the truck weighs about 4k and im 170 so i just threw it out there i have don't know the exact #

Re: 383 Stroker Vs. 454 Big Block
 

Think about durability also. Don't know if that has been mentioned. A 500 HP 454 "should" be more durable than a 500 hp 383. Which will equate to actually saving money by going with a 454.

Re: 383 Stroker Vs. 454 Big Block
 

So what did you decide? its been like 2 months since youve replied to this thread you started lol I am kinda curious to know which way you went.

Re: 383 Stroker Vs. 454 Big Block
 

Dont know if anyone has mentioned a 400 small block yet, but personally if i was going to get a stroker small block thats what i would do, if i remember correctly a friend of mine stroked his out to 434 cubes and dropped it in his early 80's vette and that thing will walk all over big blocks all day. he has a good weight advantage but im sure that same motor in a truck would almost do the same. my friends father also raced IMCA modified cars for a few years and always went with 400 sbc motors even when 383 strokers were all the rage. hes got an 84 swb with a 400 in it running a comp 280h cam, flat tops, high rise intake, balanced rotating assembly, full rollers rockers, and a set of heads off an older vette and that truck makes over 400 horse with the stock quadrajet, it would do better with a bigger carb but hes happy with how it is now, the damn thing struggles to get traction passing cars on the highway!

Re: 383 Stroker Vs. 454 Big Block
 

[QUOTE=Chris Guthro;4717450]i say 406! go look around for a good 400 core and your already ahead of the game

Yea Ive said that before, im searching my local for sale ads looking for a block