Calling All 383ci Trucks - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

VDOG · 11-03-2008, 04:59 PM

Or anyone who can answer this question. A buddy of mine who drives an old Mopar is trying to get me to build a 383 for my truck. As I tell him I want a streetable motor that is reliable and it does not have to have major performance, just enough to smoke the tires or get out of its own way.
Do any of you have a 383 that you can drive everyday or even long distance and if so what is your setup? Gears, Trans, etc etc.
Im running 3:08's with a Th350 on a 283ci. Help me with this arugeement.

68GMCCustom · 11-03-2008, 05:51 PM

sure....why not? Would you consider a 383ci motor automatically a "race only" motor?

oh...and I have a 383 with a turbo 350 and 3.73 12 bolt posi. It runs in the 3-4k range on the highway...depending on how far my foot is in it.

AH619 · 11-03-2008, 06:07 PM

I have a 388 (.060 over 383) with 373s th350 and 4x4. Lots of power and about 12 mpg without my foot in it

Blackbird66 · 11-03-2008, 06:17 PM

A 383 will make a great motor for your truck. The extra torque from that longer stroke will go well with the 3.08 gear. Are you going to piece this together, or buy a crate motor? Contact your cam supplier and tell them what you want, and they can recommend a cam. Good heads, and the rite cam should net you 350-400 hp of low rpm grunt. You don't need to turn more than 5000-5500 rpm for a street motor, and a 383 can make a lot of power down low

**Ricks1971** · 11-03-2008, 07:47 PM

Build a sbc 400! make sure that its a 509 casting block. more tork and power than a 383.

VDOG · 11-03-2008, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 68GMCCustom

sure....why not? Would you consider a 383ci motor automatically a "race only" motor?

oh...and I have a 383 with a turbo 350 and 3.73 12 bolt posi. It runs in the 3-4k range on the highway...depending on how far my foot is in it.

Ok my problem is since I just had the trans and rearend rebuilt last year, I dont want to change anything for a 383. And yes I consider a 383 a race motor with a decent amount of HP. Again is the motor a daily driver, or something I could put on the highway for hours?

big_al_71 · 11-03-2008, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ricks1971

build a sbc 400! Make sure that its a 509 casting block. More tork and power than a 383.

+1

VDOG · 11-03-2008, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blackbird66

A 383 will make a great motor for your truck. The extra torque from that longer stroke will go well with the 3.08 gear. Are you going to piece this together, or buy a crate motor?

My friend has an engine builder he wants me to meet. I have seen some of his work but never met him. So he would build the engine for me, my problem is im looking for more reliabllity and performance than I am 400HP!

VDOG · 11-03-2008, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by big_al_71

+1

Clean now what is it?

VDOG · 11-03-2008, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ricks1971

Build a sbc 400! make sure that its a 509 casting block. more tork and power than a 383.

Again guys for something that will travel to Vegas at least 4 to 6 times a year (280 miles away) or to Pleasenton (350 miles away) a couple of times a year, will a 383 make sense than a 350 that is built for durablilty and have some performance goodies on it.

**Ricks1971** · 11-03-2008, 08:17 PM

then just build a nice 350 then.That way you don't have to pay for the extra balance work.

VDOG · 11-03-2008, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ricks1971

then just build a nice 350 then.That way you don't have to pay for the extra balance work.

Thats the plan but I guess my question, do you guys have that engine or know someone who does and they travel with it on a regular basis?

jwn1975 · 11-03-2008, 08:48 PM

DO IT!!! I drove my 383 storker motor today for 2.5 hours non stop. It has a 280 comp cam, performer rpm intake, holly 650 vaccume sec. 373 gears 33" tires and 4x4. I get 11-12 mpg and runs like a bat out of hell. I just looked and have about 30,000 miles on it.

VDOG · 11-03-2008, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwn1975

DO IT!!! I drove my 383 storker motor today for 2.5 hours non stop. It has a 280 comp cam, performer rpm intake, holly 650 vaccume sec. 373 gears 33" tires and 4x4. I get 11-12 mpg and runs like a bat out of hell. I just looked and have about 30,000 miles on it.

3:73 gears and have 3:08s running 15x8 and 15x10.5 in Rallyes on the truck.
Im trying not to change my drivetrain.

Slik69 · 11-03-2008, 09:13 PM

I would do a strong stock 350 with good trans and cooling system. You could make the trip much more often.. and the engine would n't work as hard at the same speeds. You can do it, but I would do the stock stroke. Overdrive trans too.

69halfton · 11-03-2008, 09:14 PM

i have a 383 stroker motor with a T350 trans and a 12 bolt with 3.73s, turning 33 inch tires.
i drive mine daily to school, to work, and pretty much from when the snow melts until they salt the roads in the fall. (yes i drive it in the snow when they arent out salting/salted already)

my truck makes the 260 mile round trip to my parents cottage about every weekend (and tows the stockcar & trailer about everyother weekend), and never gives me one bit of fuss. i had the motor built, like you are going to do, with good aluminum GM vette heads, a big cam (.525 intake, .533 exaust and 226/234 duration) a 750 demon card, with no choke (hasn't been an issue, even in the snow, i cant explain that lol.)

havent had one problem with it until just last week, when a lifter finally went bad, it had been making noise since the engine was first built, but heavier oil fixed the sound all summer, well a week ago it started to knock good again, so i had to pull the intake.

motor runs real strong, made 450 horsepower @ 6000 rpm on the dyno. (actually it was 449.7

)

sorry for the chapterbook, but maybe it will make a difference in your decsion.

oh, by the way, if your looking to get any kind of milage out of this motor, build a 350 lol.

68GMCCustom · 11-03-2008, 09:54 PM

a 383 is not a "race only" motor. It's application has a whole lot more to do with how its built (whats inside) vs cubic inches.

Here...go with a GMPP HT383....340hp and 435ft lbs of torque...with 400 ft lbs from 2500rpm on up to 4k.

http://www.gmperformanceparts.com/Pa...l.jsp?engine=0

Blackbird66 · 11-03-2008, 10:39 PM

a 400 block can be hard to find, and are usually only good bored .030 over, no more. A 383 crank can be had new for a 350, for almost what is cost to rebuild a 350 crank. A 383, is no different than a 350, it is just bigger. Therefor, it will make more power at a given rpm than a 350. Reliability, and longevity will come with quality parts, put together correctly, and by keeping rpm's low. A 383 makes a good truck motor, because it will pull real well at low rpm's. The size of a motor does not have any baring on rather it is a "Race Motor".

woodwright · 11-03-2008, 11:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 69halfton

i have a 383 stroker motor with a T350 trans and a 12 bolt with 3.73s, turning 33 inch tires.
i drive mine daily to school, to work, and pretty much from when the snow melts until they salt the roads in the fall. (yes i drive it in the snow when they arent out salting/salted already)

my truck makes the 260 mile round trip to my parents cottage about every weekend (and tows the stockcar & trailer about everyother weekend), and never gives me one bit of fuss. i had the motor built, like you are going to do, with good aluminum GM vette heads, a big cam (.525 intake, .533 exaust and 226/234 duration) a 750 demon card, with no choke (hasn't been an issue, even in the snow, i cant explain that lol.)

havent had one problem with it until just last week, when a lifter finally went bad, it had been making noise since the engine was first built, but heavier oil fixed the sound all summer, well a week ago it started to knock good again, so i had to pull the intake.

motor runs real strong, made 450 horsepower @ 6000 rpm on the dyno. (actually it was 449.7

)

sorry for the chapterbook, but maybe it will make a difference in your decsion.

oh, by the way, if your looking to get any kind of milage out of this motor, build a 350 lol.

Sounds like you might be runnin too big of jets IMHO

*chevy29267truck* · 11-03-2008, 11:51 PM

well a chevy 383 is a chevy 350 with a chevy 400 crank

and a chevy 502 is a chevy 454

**Ricks1971** · 11-03-2008, 11:52 PM

Things to remember about most 383's and 400's they are exturnally balanced motors. This means you need to balance the balancer to the crank and flex plate or flywheel. For what you need as a daily driver and gas mileage I think I would go with a nice 350

*chevy29267truck* · 11-04-2008, 12:08 AM

283 327 350 are good chevy engines you take a chevy 283 and 327 engine and have a chevy 302 DZ engine if you want too

hdflstf · 11-04-2008, 01:08 AM

HT 383 crate motor, Th350 from Phoenix Trans with a lockup torque converter, NP205, 4.09 gears, 35" tires.
I now have a spare 350 I need to get rid of.....

Arad68 · 11-04-2008, 01:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 68GMCCustom

a 383 is not a "race only" motor. It's application has a whole lot more to do with how its built (whats inside) vs cubic inches.

Here...go with a GMPP HT383....340hp and 435ft lbs of torque...with 400 ft lbs from 2500rpm on up to 4k.

http://www.gmperformanceparts.com/Pa...l.jsp?engine=0

This is an excellent engine for our trucks. It is not too radical and is very streetable.

I have a 383 with a TH400 and gear vendors under/overdrive in a 68 1/2 ton. It has 3:73 rear gears w/32 inch tires. The cam is a Comp Cams xtreme energy 268H, roller rockers, 6" H-beam rods and a forged crank. The only thing I don't like about it is the gas mileage. 12-13 in town and if I keep it under 70 on the interstate it gets 16-17. 80+ and it decreases exponentially.

It was a major improvment over my 350. I used to get walked on by Dodge trucks on a regular basis. I now "flick them from my lapel" with ease. I built it to run.

It has about 15,000 on it now, I have never had any reliability issues with it at all and it is very streetable.

Without the overdrive the best I got was 10-11 in town and 13-14 on the highway. If at all possible get an overdrive trans.

**mr48chev** · 11-04-2008, 01:57 AM

I've been collecting pieces to build a 383 out of the original 4 bolt 350 that Came in my 71 GMC C2500 that I use to tow and haul on a regular basis.
Plans include Vortec heads, Comp 268 Cam, intake intended for torque and a carb in the 650 cfm range but I am leaning towards aftermarket fi.
I'm currently chasing a 3.54 Posi Dana 60 to replace the 4.11 that is in it now.
This is the last full sized truck I intend to own and the plan is to own and drive it for a long time. I would like to be able to pull better fuel mileage with it though.

I think the main thing is to sit back and view exactly what you do and intend to do with the truck and go from there.
If all you haul is luggage, cooler and lawn chairs to head to a rod trot or other event a mildly modified 350 is probably a better bet. If you tow a trailer on a regular basis the 383 may be the better option in that you would have the extra torque an power to pull the hills and handle the load. And it just might let you run with the big dogs without straining.
With the correct cam you shouldn't have to change anything in the drive train.

11-03-2008, 04:59 PM	#1
VDOG Grand PooBaa Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: LA, CA Posts: 5,302	Calling All 383ci Trucks Or anyone who can answer this question. A buddy of mine who drives an old Mopar is trying to get me to build a 383 for my truck. As I tell him I want a streetable motor that is reliable and it does not have to have major performance, just enough to smoke the tires or get out of its own way. Do any of you have a 383 that you can drive everyday or even long distance and if so what is your setup? Gears, Trans, etc etc. Im running 3:08's with a Th350 on a 283ci. Help me with this arugeement.

11-03-2008, 05:51 PM	#2
68GMCCustom Truck and auto performance nut Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: McKinney,Texas Posts: 3,848	Re: Calling All 383ci Trucks sure....why not? Would you consider a 383ci motor automatically a "race only" motor? oh...and I have a 383 with a turbo 350 and 3.73 12 bolt posi. It runs in the 3-4k range on the highway...depending on how far my foot is in it. __________________ Kurt - '68 GMC short step - NIB '09 LY6 6.0L crate motor w/mods, NIB '12 crate 4L85e w/billet 3k stall Circle D, 3.73 posi 12 bolt, DynaTech f-swap headers, 3/4 drop, handling mods, etc. - my toy '72 Chevy LWB C-10 Highlander - 350/350 ps/pb/tilt/ac - not original but close '06 Chevy TrailBlazerSS - LS2/4L70e - little black hot rod SUV - my DD '18 Kia Sorento - wife's econo-driver '95 Chevy S10 - reg cab shortbed, LS, 4.3, auto... my '68's powertrain and chassis build -links broken A surprise phase - carb to efi -links broken Last edited by 68GMCCustom; 11-03-2008 at 05:53 PM.

11-03-2008, 06:07 PM	#3
AH619 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: HARRISON AR. Posts: 309	Re: Calling All 383ci Trucks I have a 388 (.060 over 383) with 373s th350 and 4x4. Lots of power and about 12 mpg without my foot in it __________________ 72 2wd lwb cheyenne super youngest son.green/white 72 2wd lwb cheyenne super oldest son.green/white 71 4wd 3/4 cheyenne super frame off manderin copper / white 4 inch lift. FINALLY DONE / SOLD 72 4WD SWB CHEYENNE BLUE/WHITE 388 AUTO REMEMBER THE COPS NEVER THINK ITS AS FUNNY AS YOU DO. NORWOOD SURVIVOR COPPERTONE BUILD THREAD/ http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=259856

11-03-2008, 06:17 PM	#4
Blackbird66 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Shelbyville, KY Posts: 51	Re: Calling All 383ci Trucks A 383 will make a great motor for your truck. The extra torque from that longer stroke will go well with the 3.08 gear. Are you going to piece this together, or buy a crate motor? Contact your cam supplier and tell them what you want, and they can recommend a cam. Good heads, and the rite cam should net you 350-400 hp of low rpm grunt. You don't need to turn more than 5000-5500 rpm for a street motor, and a 383 can make a lot of power down low

11-03-2008, 07:47 PM	#5
Ricks1971 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Clarkrange Tennessee Posts: 1,787	Re: Calling All 383ci Trucks Build a sbc 400! make sure that its a 509 casting block. more tork and power than a 383.

11-03-2008, 08:17 PM	#11
Ricks1971 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Clarkrange Tennessee Posts: 1,787	Re: Calling All 383ci Trucks then just build a nice 350 then.That way you don't have to pay for the extra balance work.

11-03-2008, 08:48 PM	#13
jwn1975 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Red Lodge Montana Posts: 240	Re: Calling All 383ci Trucks DO IT!!! I drove my 383 storker motor today for 2.5 hours non stop. It has a 280 comp cam, performer rpm intake, holly 650 vaccume sec. 373 gears 33" tires and 4x4. I get 11-12 mpg and runs like a bat out of hell. I just looked and have about 30,000 miles on it.

11-03-2008, 09:13 PM	#15
Slik69 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Ogden Utah Posts: 286	Re: Calling All 383ci Trucks I would do a strong stock 350 with good trans and cooling system. You could make the trip much more often.. and the engine would n't work as hard at the same speeds. You can do it, but I would do the stock stroke. Overdrive trans too.

11-03-2008, 09:14 PM	#16
69halfton Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: King City, Ontario, Canada Posts: 974	Re: Calling All 383ci Trucks i have a 383 stroker motor with a T350 trans and a 12 bolt with 3.73s, turning 33 inch tires. i drive mine daily to school, to work, and pretty much from when the snow melts until they salt the roads in the fall. (yes i drive it in the snow when they arent out salting/salted already) my truck makes the 260 mile round trip to my parents cottage about every weekend (and tows the stockcar & trailer about everyother weekend), and never gives me one bit of fuss. i had the motor built, like you are going to do, with good aluminum GM vette heads, a big cam (.525 intake, .533 exaust and 226/234 duration) a 750 demon card, with no choke (hasn't been an issue, even in the snow, i cant explain that lol.) havent had one problem with it until just last week, when a lifter finally went bad, it had been making noise since the engine was first built, but heavier oil fixed the sound all summer, well a week ago it started to knock good again, so i had to pull the intake. motor runs real strong, made 450 horsepower @ 6000 rpm on the dyno. (actually it was 449.7 ) sorry for the chapterbook, but maybe it will make a difference in your decsion. oh, by the way, if your looking to get any kind of milage out of this motor, build a 350 lol. __________________ - Jason If you can turn, Youre not going fast enough. Favorite caption: first car to 200 mph in the 1/4 mile, no parachute, drum brakes all the way around.. ..back when men were men.

11-03-2008, 09:54 PM	#17
68GMCCustom Truck and auto performance nut Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: McKinney,Texas Posts: 3,848	Re: Calling All 383ci Trucks a 383 is not a "race only" motor. It's application has a whole lot more to do with how its built (whats inside) vs cubic inches. Here...go with a GMPP HT383....340hp and 435ft lbs of torque...with 400 ft lbs from 2500rpm on up to 4k. http://www.gmperformanceparts.com/Pa...l.jsp?engine=0 __________________ Kurt - '68 GMC short step - NIB '09 LY6 6.0L crate motor w/mods, NIB '12 crate 4L85e w/billet 3k stall Circle D, 3.73 posi 12 bolt, DynaTech f-swap headers, 3/4 drop, handling mods, etc. - my toy '72 Chevy LWB C-10 Highlander - 350/350 ps/pb/tilt/ac - not original but close '06 Chevy TrailBlazerSS - LS2/4L70e - little black hot rod SUV - my DD '18 Kia Sorento - wife's econo-driver '95 Chevy S10 - reg cab shortbed, LS, 4.3, auto... my '68's powertrain and chassis build -links broken A surprise phase - carb to efi -links broken

11-03-2008, 10:39 PM	#18
Blackbird66 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Shelbyville, KY Posts: 51	Re: Calling All 383ci Trucks a 400 block can be hard to find, and are usually only good bored .030 over, no more. A 383 crank can be had new for a 350, for almost what is cost to rebuild a 350 crank. A 383, is no different than a 350, it is just bigger. Therefor, it will make more power at a given rpm than a 350. Reliability, and longevity will come with quality parts, put together correctly, and by keeping rpm's low. A 383 makes a good truck motor, because it will pull real well at low rpm's. The size of a motor does not have any baring on rather it is a "Race Motor".

11-03-2008, 11:51 PM	#20
chevy29267truck Account Suspended Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Alva Florida Posts: 668	Re: Calling All 383ci Trucks well a chevy 383 is a chevy 350 with a chevy 400 crank and a chevy 502 is a chevy 454

11-03-2008, 11:52 PM	#21
Ricks1971 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Clarkrange Tennessee Posts: 1,787	Re: Calling All 383ci Trucks Things to remember about most 383's and 400's they are exturnally balanced motors. This means you need to balance the balancer to the crank and flex plate or flywheel. For what you need as a daily driver and gas mileage I think I would go with a nice 350

11-04-2008, 12:08 AM	#22
chevy29267truck Account Suspended Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Alva Florida Posts: 668	Re: Calling All 383ci Trucks 283 327 350 are good chevy engines you take a chevy 283 and 327 engine and have a chevy 302 DZ engine if you want too

11-04-2008, 01:08 AM	#23
hdflstf Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Desert Southwest Posts: 540	Re: Calling All 383ci Trucks HT 383 crate motor, Th350 from Phoenix Trans with a lockup torque converter, NP205, 4.09 gears, 35" tires. I now have a spare 350 I need to get rid of..... Attached Images



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11-04-2008, 01:57 AM	#25
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,705	Re: Calling All 383ci Trucks I've been collecting pieces to build a 383 out of the original 4 bolt 350 that Came in my 71 GMC C2500 that I use to tow and haul on a regular basis. Plans include Vortec heads, Comp 268 Cam, intake intended for torque and a carb in the 650 cfm range but I am leaning towards aftermarket fi. I'm currently chasing a 3.54 Posi Dana 60 to replace the 4.11 that is in it now. This is the last full sized truck I intend to own and the plan is to own and drive it for a long time. I would like to be able to pull better fuel mileage with it though. I think the main thing is to sit back and view exactly what you do and intend to do with the truck and go from there. If all you haul is luggage, cooler and lawn chairs to head to a rod trot or other event a mildly modified 350 is probably a better bet. If you tow a trailer on a regular basis the 383 may be the better option in that you would have the extra torque an power to pull the hills and handle the load. And it just might let you run with the big dogs without straining. With the correct cam you shouldn't have to change anything in the drive train.

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