Who is the best source for 383 kits (complete kit w/ crank, rods, pistons, etc.)? And which is the best kit if the supplier offers kits from more than one manufacturer? I also would like to hear from people who have built 383's as to their opionions on what compression ratio to go with and what cam to use (a roller preferably). I will be using 2.02/1.60 64cc camel hump heads. I am shopping and any help would be appreciated.

Seedomotive has a great web site, plenty of options and experience.

Joseph

I built my 69 Z 302 to a 383 to get back the power I lost by droping the compression the a reasonable strret ratio of 9.4:1.... used the stock 202 heads but ported and polished and matched all the ports... used the GOOD Eagle 4340 stroket kit complete with H beam rods and JE pistons was about $1850 from Jegs
Used Crower 00350 mech cam loads of torque dynoed at 410 lbs max had 400 lbs at 2700 thry 4800 hp was max 362 at 5200 lots of guts and flat ass hauls!!!!! now for the bad side using the orig 800 cfm Z carb with 72 jets on the rpim side and 76 on the sewcondaries for the best plug readings..... but the get me a max of 8mpg and as low as 6 mpg if I even start to get on it

Any way I was real happy with the Eagle kit it is class stuff

69-ZMAN,

This might sound "stupid", but try a 750 cfm 3310-2 holley or Q-Jet to try to get back alittle gas mileage. Heck, I bet a 600 cfm 1850 Holley probably won't drop your power production that much if jetted right. pdq67

Built my last 383 with Edelbrock RPM aluminum heads and KB hyper pistons at 10.2:1 (measured), with a CompCams hydraulic flat-tappet (224/228) and CC Magnum roller-tip rockers, with a 600cfm Holley #0-80145 at 68/76 (4150, dual-feed, vac. sec., elec. choke); 422 hp @ 5600, 432 ft-lb @ 4200. Ran like gangbusters, driveable, not bad on gas (considering). Ran 12.30's @ 118 on street tires with a 3.08 gear in a 2450# car (tube-frame Grand Sport replica). 383's are fabulous street engines - torque, torque, torque.

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JohnZ
'69 Z28 Fathom Green

Eagle does have some very nice 383 kits. A lot of care and quality control. I have not heard of any problems with their kits and there are options also. I personally have 2 383's and love them both.The one in the 79 z28 is a blast to drive, a lot of torque (over 400 ft lbs from 2000 to 5000 w/462 peack at 3100)and a tire smoler at will. Idles smooth and is stock apearing. Galen

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S/B Chevy Lover
67 Camaro street car
10:50's @ 128 on motor w/383 cid
79 Z28 w/383 9.1:1 3.73:1 Restoring stock apearance
13:40's @ 101 stock exh.& intake& Qjet
smog legal
Camaro Lover

Thank you all for your opinions! Has anyone used a roller cam in their 383? Is it worth it? If so which one?

69Z-Man, I am building this 383 for my '69 Z using my original numbers matching block original heads, carb, intake, exh manifolds, etc. As with you I am using ALL stock external parts to keep it looking stock for the car shows. I will probably go with the eagle kit and have my stock heads ported/polished. Anything else I should know? Roller cam, non-roller, solid lifters or hydr.?

Thanks!

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1969 RS-Z/28: Matching #'s DZ302, M20, 3.73, Tuxedo Black, Deluxe Black Interior, Factory Tach, Clock and Console Gauges, PS, Rear Defrost, Spoilers, ZL2 Hood.

DWCamaro69,

Hope that you are going to internally balance the crank, because it's going to be hard to hide a 400 stock damper... And in this day and age, I would be suspect if someone is running a Fliudamper on a stock engine. pdq67

If I internally balance the crank, what then are my options for an external balancer?

All of the non-externally balanced balancers.
I just pointed this out because you can spot a 400 balancer by the "scalloped"(for want of a better name) out of balance part on its outer circumference.
If somebody told me the engine wasn't a 400 or stroked and I saw a 400 balancer on it, what would you think??? pdq67

Heres a question. I have a six speed. When used with a one piece rear main 350, you can use the stock late model LT1 flywheel. Has any one seen a 383 one piece rear main crankshaft that is internally balanced?

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Mark

1992 Firebird 355/Six Speed
1991 RS 350 / 700-R4
1987 Toyota Pickup 383 / 500 + HP 10.963 @ 119.95 Slicks / 11.997 @ 114.23 Radials
http://personal.lig.bellsouth.net/~racer383/

Just bought a SCAT rotating assembly that will go in a '96 Vortech block. I paid $1300 for a 5140 forged crank, 4340 h-beam rods, and SRP forged pistons. And the crank is internally balanced, so I will be able to use the original steel flywheel.
That price was through my machinist who is doing my 383 as a side job, so I am getting a good deal. He got it from John D. Harvey Performance.