383 question?
 

When I bought my 78 suburban it had a tired ol 350 it was definatly needing a rebuild well for the last few weeks i have been pulling the front clip off (rusted fenders), and been trying to figure out what im going to do with the engine. I know im defiantly going to rebuild it but the last week i have been contemplating on building a 383. now here is the questions what comp. ratio whould i hunt for to make it run on 87 octane gas and using the stock cast iron heads 76cc (gas prices are kinda going up). I wont be doing to much hot rodding to this suburban just a drive around vehicle and maybe a few time hualing stuff. i like the power of the 383 because i live in tn ad we have alot of hills here. This kit i saw on ebay http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...tem=2402460187 looks like a pretty promising kit and i email the guy and said he could get me on with 8.7-1 comp raito with 76 cc heads will that run on 87 octane. sorry about the dumb question i can build the engines dead on i have had plenty of expreience build engine and transmission for other people just never really had a chance to build one for myself. and help is apprciated.

thanks,
Ben

Make sure the 400 crank has 350 journals and don't forget to ask about the pistons .030, .040 ect. I would reccomend flat tops for 76cc heads. Check all the performance web sites cause everyone offers a 383 rotating assembly.

Its a standerd 383 kit. I wouldnt buy it just because of the keith black pistons. Too many people I know have bad exsperiences with them. Just find Tracy Fotch on this board, he'll tell ya.

A 9:1 compression is fine for 87 octane. Try not to go below 9:1. Add a edelbrock EPS intake, comp 260H cam [216@.050] 600-750cfm carb, HEI with MSD internals, and 1 5/8" into 2.5" full length headers. I had this almost exact same combo on my 383 way back, and it was a awsome daily driver, torque motor. Then I added some vortec heads [which bumped compression up to 10:1] and I was about as pleased as can be :)