Guest mattrp Posted March 16, 2000 Share Posted March 16, 2000 I have a pitiful 305 in my 72 z and am going to begin building my next engine. I want to build the so popular 383, but how should I do it. I have an excellent shop that can do the machine work, but should I get a junk yard block/crate engine? Where can I get the stroker crank and all other parts to make my 383. I want a to do the job right, but not terribly expensively. Anybody got a block they want to sell? Matt 72 500z Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Posted March 16, 2000 Share Posted March 16, 2000 Matt, As far as a suitable candidate for a block, probably any junkyard refugee (350) will do, even a 2-bolt. In the build-up process, most likely you will have to replace absolutely everything except for the block itself. Shameless commercial plug - consider my stuff in the "for sale" section. However, if you farm out all of the work to a machine shop (that is, they build you a turnkey engine), they may be reluctant to work on a block that you supply to them, because that's less profit for them. Check ahead of time. Yet another option is to buy an assembled shortblock, for example from http://www.speedomotive.com/. That's the route I was planning on taking, before I went with "plan B" and got my big block. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted March 16, 2000 Share Posted March 16, 2000 I am also int he process of building a 383. I bought a running 350 out of a 1979 truck for $120.00. The HEI is all good but everything else will be junked in favor of hi-po equipment. My crankshaft is a SCAT 383 cast unit I picked up new on Ebay for $180.00 direct from a dealer. The rods are new 5.7" I beam forged units I got off Ebay for $120.00 from another dealer. Summit sells a 383 engine kit complete with pistons, gaskets, rings, bearings, etc for around $300.00. I'm going to buy new E31 Vortec heads completely assembled for $200.00 ea. Of course there is a lot more little stuff that adds up very quickly but I expect to spend not much more than $3000.00 for an engine that will give me 450hp and 450ft-lbs of torque. It will be a reliable engine that will give me years of service. Good luck!!! SpencZ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikelly Posted March 20, 2000 Share Posted March 20, 2000 I had my motor built by BowTie Performance in Bristol, Tennessee. They built a 4 bolt Bowtie block, Dart aluminum head, Hydraulic roller valvetrain, motor from oil pan to intake, including port work, Port matching the aluminum Victor Jr.intake, screening and painting the block for $3900 shipped. My build was done with a scatt crank, LT1 Rods, and Keith Black pistons, using Zgap rings. The motor was buttoned up with ARP bolts and studs. The way I see it is this: I could have built this motor myself, but one small mistake could have cost me more than the aggrevation. I let the pros do it and that allowed me more free time to get the car ready for the conversion! Also, I priced the parts in Summit and Jegs, and I wouldhave saved $600 had I built it myself with mail order parts. That was not worth the headache. As for not being able to say "I built it myself", I figured doing the rest of the car covered those bragging rights! Mike [This message has been edited by Mikelly (edited March 20, 2000).] [This message has been edited by Mikelly (edited March 20, 2000).] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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