NEWBIE 383 BUILD calling all help

[SMITTYS69]

I have a 69 RR with a 727 trans and factory gears. I have rebuild my 383 before .30 over, but now im going for more power. Im going to rebuild the rearend thinking about 3.73ish ratio.
I am wanting to build a very strong street motor was even thinking of doing a (440 source) stroker kit and a very healthy cam to get a rough idle. plz help me find a direction to start.

 

[krowbar]

Depends on how much power you're looking for and what rpm range. 383 should make plenty of power as long as you have a strong bottom end. I would start with heads, intake, carb,cam,headers,and gears. The more cfm's you can push the more power you make.

 

[69roadr]

if you got the $$, take the block to a reputable hp engine builder and tell them what you want out of it.
i got a 383 in my 69 RR. back in 2005, when i was making some good $$ (unemployed now), i took my block to Dick Landy Automotive and let them do it.
now, on another side, if you dont have that kind of money, doing it little by little and only taking the block to be machined and you doing all the work would save some bucks.

 

[SMITTYS69]

I was wanting to take the block to a machine shop and get a short block returned to me. Then build it as I have time in my garage.

 

[67 coronet]

biggest thing when starting from scratch is to make sure all your parts match in power band.make sure everything builds its power in the same rpm range.many people throw a bunch of random parts at an hp build and end up with less then they thought since they didnt do this.
its all about planning.write everything down and double check each peice BEFORE you build it.will save a ton of money and headaches in the long run.
krowbar has the right idea.motors are just air pumps,so the more you move,the more power you make.

 

[krowbar]

If you're just going to swap blocks why not go with a 440? Maybe I read that wrong.

 

[SMITTYS69]

If you're just going to swap blocks why not go with a 440? Maybe I read wrong

- - - Updated - - -

I would like a 440 but my 383 is the original motor. Would it be better to build a high rpm screamer or a big cubic inch monster? Ive read that 383's love the rpms. Was thinking maybe 6.5k? If I stay stock cubic inch I was thinking balance the bottom end, Edlebrock E heads, a performer rpm intake and a 750 to 850 carb... just dont know how it will work or what cam to go with.

 

[krowbar]

I want a 440 block but my 383 is numbers matching.

Then get 440. Save the 383 to put back in later if you are that serious about keeping the drivetrain. Honestly I don't see what's so great about a numbers matching car. Unless you are selling it to a collector. If you want to make the power go with 440.

 

[SMITTYS69]

Money is my main problem right now. My current engine is good to go and any 440s I found would require complete machining to be any good.

 

[19polara64]

If you put a stroker kit in, you will lose the "high rpm screamer" aspect. More stroke, less rpm. I vote 440. Watch craigslist, etc deals come up

 

[SMITTYS69]

If you put a stroker kit in, you will lose the "high rpm screamer" aspect. More stroke, less rpm. I vote 440. Watch craigslist, etc deals come up

Ok lets say I do go 440. What should I do to it once I found one?

 

[krowbar]

Ok lets say I do go 440. What should I do to it once I found one?

Get the block checked at a Machine shop if you plan on dumping high quality parts into it and expect to make serious power.

 

[SMITTYS69]

Get the block checked at a Machine shop if you plan on dumping high quality parts into it and expect to make serious power.

Thats a given I mean what route do I go once it has come back from machine shop?

 

[69roadr]

Thats a given I mean what route do I go once it has come back from machine shop?

if you dont know what you're doing, save up some money and have an engine builder do the work. otherwise, you will need to invest in some proper tools (and knowledge) on getting the engine back together correctly.

 

[furyus]

Keep the 383 in case you ever sell the car. The new owner may want it. If you build a 440,and you want a reliable package, I started with a cast crank 1974 440. Put in 9 to 1 forged pistons, and had it balanced with the flexplate. Put in a Hughes cam .505,.515 lift.223/230* duration at .050. double roller timing set, high volume oil pump. heads are eddy rpms out of the box. Eddy performer rpm intake. 1 3/4 hedman headers. 750 demon dp carb. 3000 stall converter and a 3.91 locker rear. With this combo and some tuning, my 64 Sport Fury went 12.12 @110 mph. I can also drive it across Florida with no issues. So if you want performance, you don't have to have a stroker kit. You need to figure out your goals for the car first. I don't mind giving up the gas mileage or not being able to drive 80 on the freeway for long periods.

 

[SMITTYS69]

Its not the building of the motor I have trouble with. Its the correct choices of parts. Cam, aluminum vs. cast 904 already ported, carb size. Aftermarket rockers, Ect. Its not that im stupid I was just curious what parts would work best and personal experience on what to do and what not to do.

- - - Updated - - -

Keep the 383 in case you ever sell the car. The new owner may want it. If you build a 440,and you want a reliable package, I started with a cast crank 1974 440. Put in 9 to 1 forged pistons, and had it balanced with the flexplate. Put in a Hughes cam .505,.515 lift.223/230* duration at .050. double roller timing set, high volume oil pump. heads are eddy rpms out of the box. Eddy performer rpm intake. 1 3/4 hedman headers. 750 demon dp carb. 3000 stall converter and a 3.91 locker rear. With this combo and some tuning, my 64 Sport Fury went 12.12 @110 mph. I can also drive it across Florida with no issues. So if you want performance, you don't have to have a stroker kit. You need to figure out your goals for the car first. I don't mind giving up the gas mileage or not being able to drive 80 on the freeway for long periods.

See he gets what im trying to accomplish.

 

[krowbar]

Its not the building of the motor I have trouble with. Its the correct choices of parts. Cam, aluminum vs. cast 904 already ported, carb size. Aftermarket rockers, Ect. Its not that im stupid I was just curious what parts would work best and personal experience on what to do and what not to do.

- - - Updated - - -


See he gets what im trying to accomplish.

That's what you have to specify in your first post. Were not mind readers.lol

 

[HT413]

You say you had the motor rebuilt already. When and how many miles ago? I don't have the experience any of these guys have, but be careful not to fall into the trap of more more more.

Give us (well, those guys, really) more info on exactly what you have - compression ratio, heads, cam, miles, current condition (blowing smoke, etc). Maybe just simple as new pistons, cam, heads? Sure doesn't sound like a complete remachining is necessary.

And I didn't get the feeling from your original post that you were going racing, so what's wrong with a 500 hp stock stroke 383 with some aluminum heads. It'll destroy most things on the road and the motor alone will be over 100lbs lighter than a stock 440.

 

[SMITTYS69]

Very true my bad. I thought everyone had esp lol.

 

[krowbar]

Weed through the racers hangout. They might be willing to share some of their power combos from previous builds.