[69Man]

As I mentioned in one of my posts, the machine shop I had do my closed chamber heads, I think are kind of trying to rip me off, and I bought a cam eating 454. I could use the 781 open chamber castings, and run a larger dome piston, and run my roller 396. Or I could just sell everything and start running small blocks again. It would probably be much easier on parts. I would like to know which one would make more power. I would run a set of either Canfield aluminum heads or a set of 195 AFR's and a solid bottom end with a solid roller or solid flat tappet camshaft. I think I got the right gears(3.90) and either a TH400 with 3500 stall, or I could put my 4 speed back in it. It may live behind a small block. The worst part is I have plenty of big block parts to build either a killer 396 or a killer 468. I would like to have a nice balance though, and get some of my traction back, and not have a nose heavy Camaro. I would like opinions.

------------------
Jeremy Mc.
69 Camaro
Roller 396, TH400, 3500 stall, 3.90 12 bolt posi

[mls48341]

Personally,I can't see myself going back to
smallblocks after several big block cars.
As you already have the parts available to
do the 396, it seems like the logical choice
to me. I would think the 396 will be a more
responsive ( read quicker revving ) engine.
The 383 guys seem to love them also although
my take is that they are better suited to
lower rpm street usage.
The bottom line is personal preference and
application I suppose. I would think hard
on whether the choice is being driven by your
bad experience with one shop or what makes
the most logical sense for your application.
Good luck.

------------------
'86 Firebird pro street
suspension,moser 48" 12 bolt,spool,4.56,10point
cage,452 bbc,400t w/brake

[Baby68RS]

I don't know, if you look at the summit 383 in this months "Hot Rod" you'll see how much HP they can get out of them.

[pdq67]

Bottom line is that due to phyiscal size differences you can get more power out of a BB! It's been proven time and time again.

If you put the mini-big block heads on the small block, you become more equal to the big block!

Or run peanut port heads and 1.5 ratio rockers on the big block b/c there are no big block lo-po wedge heads that are like the small block wedge heads... Just my humble opinion. pdq67

[Eric68]

There's no replacement for displacement . . . so a killer 468 would be my first choice.

But, if you have to choose between a 396 and a 383 I think I would choose the 383. The weight savings you would get with an aluminum head 383 would outweigh any power advantage the iron head 396 would have IMO.

If you are really concerned about cornering ability or stopping ability the 383 would be a great choice, but if straight line accleration is your goal then a 468 would be the ONLY way to go IMO.

ps. a 383 built properly would not help your traction problem. They make plenty of tire-shredding TQ.

------------------
68 Camaro with 383 small block. ET - 11.9's at 112 mph and never trailered.

The combo:

10.3:1 KB pistons, Eagle cast crank, 5.7" SIR rods.
Trick Flow 23* heads ported 2.055 intake, 1.6 exhaust.
Comp Cams 282s mechanical cam with 1.6 rockers.
Victor Jr intake and Holley O-3310 carb.
1-3/4" Hedman Headers, full length Flowmaster exhaust.
TH350 trans, 3000 stall, 3.55 gear.
CE subframe connectors, drag shocks, SSM lift bars.

[DragRacer]

I'm an SBC fan all the way. Therefore the 383 would be my choice. If you would rather a big block I would go at least up to a 454. If you are going to carry the extra weight, you might as well take advantage of more cubes.

BTW mls48341 not all 383 SBC's are tow/street motors. See my sig. below for performance marks. I've just added a new cam that should pick it up another 30-40 hp as well.

------------------
Jason Gore
AKA DragRacer
383 SBC Powered '71 Chevelle
1.60 - 60'
7.37@93.23 - 1/8th

[mls48341]

Jason,
I wasn't trying to imply that a 383 could
not be built for drag racing, only the
typical usage.My main point was not to make
a decision based on emotion but look at the
application and parts at hand and make a
logical decision. I know many people using
small block engines in drag cars with great
results.I was partial to small journal 327's
as a young guy back in the day including a
vega drag car in the early 80s.Just goes to
show,everybody's got their preference.
Just have fun with it!
Mark

------------------
'86 Firebird pro street
suspension,moser 48" 12 bolt,spool,4.56,10point
cage,452 bbc,400t w/brake

[pdq67]

Jeeze, I thought we were comparing power production between a 396BB and a 383SB. Not weight or the throwed in 454/468!!

Heck, I opt for a tow-truck 496 engine like I've posted about before if you want to think along them lines... pdq67

[blackvi]

Hey Team

Although Either build would cost DOllars, the 383 is just a more Suitable engine IMHO. Cost for one, Weight, Suspension, Fuel (over time), Upgrade costs, ect...

As you can see, the list goes on and on. If Cost has no budget, build the big block, you know it will lay serious rubber. But I would much rather build the 383, and spend the extra 1000's you'll save on other H.P. elements! slicks, shocks, laffin' gas, ect

Can you tell Im Mr. Cheap-O?

just ask yourself, what ya wanna do with it, how fast you wanna go, and is it so exotic a motor that you can't afford to work on yourself. (amongst other questions)

With what ever you chose, make sure you'll be happy with what you have after the build is complete. take me for instance, I've always wanted a stroker. I loved the "noise" it made when I heard it years ago. Plus I like lettin the ladies know that I have a hot STROKER! lol For you it may be tellin people that you have an
"AWSOME BIG BLOCK"

[oger]

blackvi I am going to have to disagree with you. A 396 is very under stressed for its size and will give absolutely no trouble if treated at all right. A 383 has a terrible rod ratio, the block really isn't tall enough for the stroke,and I have yet to see one make an exceptable street strip motor if pushed at all.

[pdq67]

Don't get me wrong here guy's but I'm kinda with Oger here b/c I personally like the shorter stroked SB's!

And, yes, my cheaply made 406 would out power the smaller SB's that I had, but it just didn't FEEL RIGHT, not wrapping up high! (And I did put my foot in it a couple a time above 6,000rpm!) That's all. pdq67

[69Man]

I am getting mixed emotions here. I was going to build a 383 as a last resort, as I have loads of Big block parts laying around. My friend has a 383 and he loves it. It will burn the tires forever in his 68 Camaro. I was wondering, I have a line on a set of 215 castings(closed chamber)(big block, the same as Racer1320 uses) with the 2.19/1.88" valves already in them. They are fresh and ready to bolt on. The only thing I would be concerned about(they guy sounds sincere) is running the tall roller valve springs on these valves. They are stainless steel, one piece valves, he never said what brand they were. The Lunati roller springs I had were very tall, and required a .100" longer valve. I was also concerned about running a roller if they have cast guides. The cam I want to run is a .620" lift 248/248 @ .050. He said that there was no port work done to the heads except for a gasket match. What do you guys think? Do I need to make this a separate post? Could I run lash caps?

------------------
Jeremy Mc.
69 Camaro
Roller 396, TH400, 3500 stall, 3.90 12 bolt posi

[blackvi]

Hmmmm, ok OGER, you have a definite point with the 396. Very good indeed. I agree that 396's are very good engines, but the age of the block only adds to the complexity of its build.

I came to this conclusion when I did a post concerning the 396. like most big blocks, the power IS there, but I found that so many different manufactured combinations and modifications were made, that the carefull selection of the HEADS made building a 396 EXTREMELY complicated. (closed chambered heads VS. open chambered 396 heads)

I also found that the 396 is/was the most manufactured engine chevy produced (well i'm about 90% sure) Each year a new head design was introduced for ALL 396 applications. Thus making the previously manufactured head less potent.

Now im not at all implying that 396's cannot produce power... they can indeed produce incredible power, and are efficient in doing so. I will state this very clearly, there isnt too many of us that would let a set of rare, aluminum, or exclusive designed 396 heads go for no less than an arm or a leg! That means purchasing a new aftermarket head.... which still means mucho $$$$. Enter a dude like me into the equation... Im NOT gonna pay that much for big block parts. Period!! If I Spent that amount of money, like ive said before... I'll spend the same amount of money on other things that will allow my small block to unleash it's power more efficiently.

Still, when deciding on sb/bb more research has to be done to make the most aggresive HP available, while still applying tree pulling torque that can be planted on a track with decent 60' times. Cost HAS to be a factor when considering this, unless you just have alot of Time, Tools, Money, and other assets that will allow you to do it however you want.

I go to school full time, father full time, and I work a hectic schedule as a barber. Take that into account when you throw in the fact that I Just got my first real tool box for Fathers day this year! NICEEEEE

All my friends want it! lol

I have no engine stand, no cherry picker, and no place to work on it besides the old carport that Wifey hates me to use for working on my car. Man Im at a serious disadvantage! Poor me...
But For sake of long winded posts.... (Which im kinda enjoying, lol OGER Email me and we might even engage in a good bb VS sb convo that might tickle both our fancy's.. ok?

69Man, If you have the parts for a bb, please put that sucker together... Make the most of what you have... and it sounds like you have a reallll beast in the making! just make sure you have ALL the accessories to make it not only perform, but stay together!
Amen!

[oger]

blackvi in almost all instances a 396 runs better with oval port heads and nothing trick inside. The bore is too small to make use of huge heads and the engine isn't big enough to work well with all of the trick stuff. If you are building a 454 or bigger you can get carried away with the trick stuff that will help but I don't know if you really need it. Some people like small blocks others like big blocks we could argue forever and not settle it. That is why every car is different.

[pdq67]

Heck, go 496 and tell everybody that it's just your old 396!! (.060" over 454 with a 1/4" arm in it). He, He!!

They will never know the diff. unless one of your buddy's get's down on his back and fingers the back side of the damper!!

Been there, done that!! pdq67