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383 swap

5058 Views 11 Replies 7 Participants Last post by  ChadroletZ52
Thinking of doing a 383 swap in my 85 with the 4+3. I would like to do this the right way but don't want to spend a ton of money in the process. I want to swap tranny also. What do I need to know about this swap? Anything that will jump up and bite me in the middle of the swap?

Thanks
Nick
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A Ton of Money !:doh:
use paper money instead of coins........
Thinking of doing a 383 swap in my 85 with the 4+3.
I would like to do this the right way but don't want to spend a ton of money in the process. ?
Need more info.
Are you making your current engine in to a 383 or getting a new one built ?


I want to swap tranny also. What do I need to know about this swap?
Anything that will jump up and bite me in the middle of the swap?
How much $$ you want to put into trans swap?
Why do you want to swap the trans?
What trans did you want to install?
How do you intend to use / drive the car?
I would like to swap the 4+3 because I hate that fricken thing. And I don't want to put $5,000 into a brand new T-56 Magnum, but I don't know if a T-56 out of a later model car could hold the 400 to 500 h.p. I would like to get out of the motor. I am on the fence about using my motor or another 350 for my build. In the grand scheme does it really matter? And I would use it for mostly street use but if I get it where I like it I may do some auto cross or road course events. I am hoping this gives you some more idea of what I want to do.
I don't know if a T-56 out of a later model car could hold the 400 to 500 h.p.. .
Plenty of big Hp LSX cars running a T56

I am on the fence about using my motor or another 350 for my build.
In the grand scheme does it really matter?
As far as spending money that you are worried about it does.Are you looking to put all new parts in or reuse stock ones to save $$$
You have made no mention of your proposed budget yet?

If doing a full rebuild only $250 difference in rebuilding your engine as a 383 vs a 355 ( '30 over stock ) reusing as many stock parts as poss
Thanks VetteOZ I Think I am talking to you on two forums now. I am looking to spend around $3,000 for machine work and new internals and maybe new heads. My overall goal for the car is to do a Goodguys show or the Power Tour and be able to do the auto x while there. So I want something I can beat on and it just smile at me. Thanks Again all your info is very enlightening.
I am looking to spend around $3,000 for machine work and new internals and maybe new heads.
Block
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-150100/

Rotating assembly w/ Cast pistons
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/esp-13005l000/overview/make/chevrolet

Forged pistons
preferred it you want to hit on it , if you really want to hit on it a forged crank but that incurs extra cost pushing your budget out
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/sca-1-91055/overview/make/chevrolet

Heads ( 195 intake , all you need for a street 383) There are "better" heads but you will pay more also
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/tfs-30400001/overview/make/chevrolet
(change springs to suit cam )

Typical cam specs for a good street 383
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/cca-07-467-8/overview/make/chevrolet
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/crn-119661

Easily get a used cam with those spec for half price or less .Roller cams don't wear out like flat tappet style under normal use
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For starters, it does matter if you use your block versus a new block! Your 85 has 2 bolt mains! Do you really want to invest in a build with a 2 bolt main block, not a good choice. Also your budget and what you want are not realistic. $3,000 dollars for a build of 400-500hp 383ci . First off like you said if you want to be able to beat on it and have it smile at you. That would require a all forged internals rotating assembly $1650.00 . Along with a four bolt main machined block (summit offers pre milled blocks) $650. You are not going to acheive 400-500hp with that stock intake which only lets you rev to 5500 rpm. So a new intake miniram, stealth ram ... whatever is going to cost about $1000 with all the necessary fuel rails to go with it. Well, i guess since we are at the intake.... lets talk injectors! those factory injectors will not support that kind of power. a good set about $400. As far as heads go you can use your factory heads and try to have them ported but why invest that kind of money into a iron heads. You could prolly find decent budget aluminum heads for $850. Now comes the nickel and dimes which you could reuses but most likely not worth the risk ....... lifters $170.... push rods$130......timing chain TRU-roller about $90.00 .... HV oil pump $40.00! Now lets talk about a cam !! To get the power you want expect about $250 for a cam which will most likely call for new 1.6 ratio rocker arms $250.

That right there is $5500 unassembled! there for sure are some things i forgot to add like gaskets ect. !!!! The reason i know this is because i did it! Expect about $8500 invetsed. You may be better off machining your block .030 over using your internals, get new pistons, and intake and cam kit which will still put you over budget but is way closer than the other choice.

If you want to play......You gots to PAY!!!!
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I go along with Chad..I would not invest big bucks in that two-bolt block... I ve got a 383 Stroker in my C3.. .525HP as it sits.. the stock L48 block was garbage,nothing worth reusing.. so I had to start from scratch..it was not cheap..things like forged rotating asembly , full roller cams, ported Alum heads..quickly drain the bank account ..if you don t have the budget, wait til you do, or just freshen up the old girl for now..
For starters, it does matter if you use your block versus a new block! Your 85 has 2 bolt mains! Do you really want to invest in a build with a 2 bolt main block, not a good choice. Also your budget and what you want are not realistic. $3,000 dollars for a build of 400-500hp 383ci . First off like you said if you want to be able to beat on it and have it smile at you. That would require a all forged internals rotating assembly $1650.00 . Along with a four bolt main machined block (summit offers pre milled blocks) $650. You are not going to acheive 400-500hp with that stock intake which only lets you rev to 5500 rpm. So a new intake miniram, stealth ram ... whatever is going to cost about $1000 with all the necessary fuel rails to go with it. Well, i guess since we are at the intake.... lets talk injectors! those factory injectors will not support that kind of power. a good set about $400. As far as heads go you can use your factory heads and try to have them ported but why invest that kind of money into a iron heads. You could prolly find decent budget aluminum heads for $850. Now comes the nickel and dimes which you could reuses but most likely not worth the risk ....... lifters $170.... push rods$130......timing chain TRU-roller about $90.00 .... HV oil pump $40.00! Now lets talk about a cam !! To get the power you want expect about $250 for a cam which will most likely call for new 1.6 ratio rocker arms $250.

That right there is $5500 unassembled! there for sure are some things i forgot to add like gaskets ect. !!!! The reason i know this is because i did it! Expect about $8500 invetsed. You may be better off machining your block .030 over using your internals, get new pistons, and intake and cam kit which will still put you over budget but is way closer than the other choice.

If you want to play......You gots to PAY!!!!

Don't forget the rear end's ability to withstand the additional power. Better to adapt it over to at least a Dana 44 or an earlier 8-7/8" cast iron rear end out of a '63 thru '79.
dana 44 $800
New gear set $300
Ladder bar $125
Prop Shaft $70
all new Ujoints $ 200
Best bang for your buck upgrade i did!
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