just pondering my future engine

[Dreamcar]

I'm just thinking what on what type of engine I'll have built in the future (next year maybe) when my car is ready for it. Since the car I now have is a numbers matching 383, my first thought is to build that motor because I don't plane making it a race car. Plus, I love the numbers matching idea, which is why I bought that car.

The idea is to have a nice weekend cruiser that will start each time and is ready to go to car shows that are hundreds of miles away. 400-450hp and 450tq at the flywheel would be fine for this car considering what I'll be doing with it.

With that said, what are the pros and cons of either focusing more ont the top end (heads, cam, intake and carb) versus going with a stroker kit (no more than 450 cubes let's say) with a mostly stock top end?

I know nothing about building engines, so I'm just confused what some of you pros would say.

Cheers

[c00nhunterjoe]

If you are planning on keeping the 383 block, then the most economical thing to do is buy a stroker kit. I only say this because 99% of 383 pistons are not made for "performance". They sit too low in the hole and to purchase a good set will put you near the cost of the stroker rotating assembly.
  So my suggestion is to purchase a simple 3.75 stroker kit which is basicly stuffing a 440 crank into a 383 block. You should end up with a 438 ci engine that is 15% less rotating mass then a stock 440. Its a great and reliable combination. With a set of out of the box edlebrock heads, you will easily meet you hp/tq goal. Choose a cam in the 236-248 @.050 and .550ish lift and you will have a mild mannered street motor with a nice rumble at idle. An intake such as the performer rpm would be a perfect balance.  That basic combination should fry tires off idle and pull hard to 6-6500.

[Dreamcar]

If you are planning on keeping the 383 block, then the most economical thing to do is buy a stroker kit. I only say this because 99% of 383 pistons are not made for "performance". They sit too low in the hole and to purchase a good set will put you near the cost of the stroker rotating assembly.
  So my suggestion is to purchase a simple 3.75 stroker kit which is basicly stuffing a 440 crank into a 383 block. You should end up with a 438 ci engine that is 15% less rotating mass then a stock 440. Its a great and reliable combination. With a set of out of the box edlebrock heads, you will easily meet you hp/tq goal. Choose a cam in the 236-248 @.050 and .550ish lift and you will have a mild mannered street motor with a nice rumble at idle. An intake such as the performer rpm would be a perfect balance.  That basic combination should fry tires off idle and pull hard to 6-6500.

Thanks!! Are there any particular kits you recommend?

[c00nhunterjoe]

The 2 most popular are 440 source and i beleive the other is muscle motors.