383 stroker question....

[ashx2]

My buddy says that a 383 stroker is built from a 350 block w/400 (or larger) cam. Is there any truth to this or is he full it?

I don't know much about the mechanics side of things, so I'll have to depend on the brotherhood within these pages. So what's the skinny on this?

Thanks,
Greg

[Chevymann1968]

Cam or crank A 383 it a 350 block and 400 crank!!!

[BarryB]

Originally Posted by ashx2

My buddy says that a 383 stroker is built from a 350 block w/400 (or larger) cam. Is there any truth to this or is he full it?

I don't know much about the mechanics side of things, so I'll have to depend on the brotherhood within these pages. So what's the skinny on this?

Thanks,
Greg

It uses a 400 crank, and the 350 has to be bored .030 to get it to 383 ci. There is clearancing that has to be done to the block for the extra stroke from the 400 crank. Just trying to make a point , that there is more to it , tha swapping in a different crank.

[c2cahoon]

I concur! the legendary stroker is more complicated than most think, you need a bore of 4.030" (350 bored .030 over) and a stroke of 3.75" (400 rods and crankshaft), although most skip the .030 over pistons and simply call there 376 a 383...

[ashx2]

I figured that there would be more to it, but that's just the basics of our conversation.

I am pondering the thought on putting a 383 stroker in my '72. I guess you could say that I just haven't grown up yet. I still like having my head pulled back against the rear glass when you punch the pedal to the floor.

I just purchased another '72 and the PO said the engine threw a rod. I made the "I wish I had a 383 stroker" comment to my buddy, and he said, "Well, you've got the start of one sitting right here in front of you w/the '72 you just bought. Tear it down and do it!"

Greg

[big_al_71]

I was going to build a 383 stroker for my bucket then i decided against it and went with a small block 400....I feel that it was alot easier to do what i did than to have built the stroker just my opinion...

[platinum1]

I have a stroker going into my 67 and all I can tell ya is that it goes from 2000 rpm to 8000 rpm in about two seconds compared to a stock 350 or 400 that has some lag time.

[big_al_71]

Originally Posted by platinum1

I have a stroker going into my 67 and all I can tell ya is that it goes from 2000 rpm to 8000 rpm in about two seconds compared to a stock 350 or 400 that has some lag time.

there is zero lag on mine!!!!

[LuckyHenriksen]

Do a stroker! look up some of the articles super chevy, chevy hi pro, and car craft have done on cheap 383 builds, they seem to work out well and make nice power

[sleepertruck72]

Can a 400 be made into a 383 with a 350 crank ? or does it not work that way ?

[bigsnookmaster]

A 400 with a 350 crank .030 over is a 377. And my 406"s rev faster and make more power than any other small block I've ever had.My .02

[72HULK]

BigSnook I just bought a 400 2 bolt for a 406 or 421 build for my '72 K10 (4x4). I was using an article out of Chevy High Performance as reference for the build except with aluminum heads so my CR can be somewhere between 10.0-10.5 : 1. I have never built a 400 before any tips that come from your experience? Thanks.

[jeremy zander]

I had a machine shop build my stock 350 into a 383..engine was bored,then they used a stroker kit from summit..runs great..JZ

[PanelDeland]

383 builds more torque
377 is for revs
400 are good but they can be stroked also.Any of the members that don't have much engine knowledge can read engine masters,Car Craft or other magazines and get more theory to go with tearing and engine down for more lab style work.

[bigsnookmaster]

72 HULK, I have a few tips that might help you out. I always Zero deck and square the block,use torque plates and torque the main caps to specs when boring the block. I also block off the steam holes in the block and have the plugs cut when they deck it. I use the thermal coatings on the tops of the pistons and combustion chambers and on the face of the valves. I believe in, and use a crank scraper,windage tray,and lifter valley baffle,and use a screeen kit in every motor.The screen kit will keep things from going to the bottom of the motor if a roller rocker goes away.I also use ARP head and main studs on my motors. This provides better fastening and truer torque readings. Use a very good cooling system, though I've never had any overheating problems with my 406's. I know some of the things I mentioned are a little pricey, but I think it is money well spent in the long run. And that's my .02

[ashx2]

So, how are the stroker engines on the hwy? Say for like a road trip that may be a couple of hours long? Is it wise to build an engine for power/torque and still expect it to make long runs?

Greg

[PanelDeland]

the big thing with a stroker and the hiway is to gear it well.You can actually run most strokers at a lower rpm with lower(numerically 4.11 being higher than 3.08) because they have enough power to pull at lower rpms.Cam selection will also play a role since it helps determine the rpm range the engine is happiest in.
There is so much to learn about engines to be able to put together a combination that will do what it was designed to that we could fill the whole BB up and still miss a lot.If you are building an engine and the crank needs to be turned than it is usually money well spent to build with a stroker kit since a couple hundred dollar will usually net you increased torque and performance.

[Elephanthead]

I would just drop in an LS1 or newer v-8, you don't need fuel injection or a computer if you don't want that.