Stuck between a rock and a 383.. :)

[SRT-440]

Ok...I know there are thousands of threads about whether to rebuild 383's or not...and I've read a lot of them. I also know that the concensus is that 440 is the way to go (I agree). I have a 70 RR (clone) that has been a race car forever and it currently has a high compression not street friendly 12.5:1 383 that I know very little about. It was built back in '96 and was said to run in the 11's in it's hay day (no proof of that). Now, I'm thinking some work has been put into this thing other than just high compression if it truly went that fast and think maybe it would be a good starting point for a stroker or just a rebuild with lower compression?
Obviously, the compression needs to be brought back down to reality... but would it be worth rebuilding at all? I was told the heads have been ported/polished..everything port matched..blah..blah. would that give this 383 an advantage over a typical 383? I could buy a stroker kit and since I'll reuse the heads, intake, headers and the 750 Holley DP (might replace it) it might be a great motor. I guess I'm wondering if it will still put down decent power with lower compression...I would guess that it would have had to at least put down 400hp to get a b body into the 11's. 


What little I know about it:
750 Holley DP
Victor 383 intake Manifold
Ported heads (not sure which heads it has yet)
custom built long tube headers (port matched?)
Electric fuel pump
I know nothing about the rotating assembly although it has that "race car" lopey idle.

I'll know more soon when I pull it out and tear it down. Other than the high compression it needs a rebuild cuz it's tired and actually has some oil on some of the spark plugs...it prolly was sitting for a long time.
Thoughts? Suggestions?

[lisiecki1]

if you decide to get rid of some parts from that motor during the rebuild let me know what you've got and what you want for it......i like the 383's.....

[SRT-440]

Will do. In it's defense even "needing a rebuild" it is a strong running motor. But, the 110 octane gas isn't any fun. 

It also came with a built race 727 that also was fully manual...I don't like the fully manual and am getting a rebuilt 727 from RD (Jamey) very soon. 

[68blue]

I have a similar 383, rebuilt the origional short block and added Eddy Heads, RPM manifold, TTi headers and holley 750. Made over 400 on pump gas. There is a dyno ticket posted somewhere around on the site.