383 question?

[78burban]

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

[AirMale]

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.

[Tom]

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