Engine build spec ideas 383????maybe 440?

[sext7366]

Ok guys I'm gonna bug you again, but this time i'll make it easier... I have a 383 i will probably be rebuilding soon unless I go with a 440 (but I will take suggestions for both) my tranny has a 2800 converter, heads are now stock last cam i had was a comp cam 268/268, but didn't seem like much at all as I didn't notice any lope, or extra power from it compared to my old setup.   (My old setup was a stock 383 204/214 duration@.050, single plane and 2.76 gear, which surprisingly worked rediculously well together) Now I have 3.23 gears also, and drive this car as much as possible which is about 5,000 miles a year.   I have to admit...I had a 72 GTO with a 70 400ci in it that would roast the tires, and give this car a run for its money...and it was rebuilt as stock.   Anyway I am looking for more power, and money is an obstacle...but I will be rebuilding it myself, except for the machine shop work. Oh also the current carb is an edelbrock 1405, which is a 600cfm, and obviously could be upgraded.   Looking to spend a total of 1500-2500

[andy74]

i would start off with more gear,ona 383 you need the grunt,and they will rev more than a 440-maybe switch to a 3.91,4.10. if you already have a single plane intake,and the motor is solid,a cam with 2-6 rpm power band will work better,and id go with a750 carb,at least! the best cash you can spend will be on the heads,if you get a better breathing head you can grow into the combo,edelbrock alluminum or bull dogs should wipe out the budget you have said you have.id start there,and build on what you already have.chryco or ron(fire fighte3931r)will probably have more suggestions,but thats how id start witha limited budget

[Chryco Psycho]

1st we need to know what type of driving you do mostly , Highway , cruzin in town , racing etc
I would build a srtong bottom end
Melling HP oil pump , Clevite /Michigan 77 brgs , new rod bolts & forged pitons , balance the assembly , this way anyhting added later for more power will not require a rebuild , , heads cam & intake have to match  to work well & we woul dneed more info to help you pick good parts

[sext7366]

I lately have used my car for more highway driving... but I am hoping to pay pay off my jeep so my spare highway car will be it instead of the charger... thus mainly I will use the car for street racing/grocery getting, and only (hopefully) occasional highway use. (Ironically this car is factory equipped w/cruise control) haha.  I do occasionally take my boy out on a mopar street adventure...roastin tires, etc.

[sext7366]

Hey I also just found this cam let me know...advertised duration 306/306  or 235/235 and .472 lift.

[Duey]

Hey I also just found this cam let me know...advertised duration 306/306   or 235/235 and .472 lift.

Wow, that's quite a long duration for such a low lift!  What cam is that, sext7366?

Duey

[andy74]

 :iagree:who makes that cam? like chryco said,more details will help everyone give you more ideas

[sext7366]

So some highway driving is most likely some as in maybe 4-5 times a month.  Hard driving also because I have a heavy foot.  The car usually is not driven that much during the year as I said I only put 5000 miles on it last year.  I want 425+ horsepower and I figure:
stock 290 hp- add single plane and large 4 bl +30, headers+20, windage tray+10, cam+20, so I should have about 370hp with these parts I am guessing.

The cam...what you have all been waiting for, this is an Erson cam you can find it easily online at www.summitracing.com
It is 100 for just the cam, and summit does not have a kit for it online, but maybe u can get one.

[firefighter3931]

For a true 425hp 383 combo you're gonna have to port the heads. With a 3.23 gear and heavy car you don't want to go too big on the duration or the power will be soft on the bottom end. A cam with 220*-225*@.050 should work pretty good with that stall and 3.23's. Headers, 2.5in exhaust, Street Dominator/Performer RPM intake, 750cfm carb and good flowin heads and you'll be close. 

Ron

[Ghoste]

Of course, at a certain point the budget becomes enough that the 440 becomes the better choice.  It has the displacement and perfect rod ratio going for it already.  If you get into aftermarket heads, it's the same price and same for basic parts and rebuild.  When you talk about a possible 440, is this an engine you already have laying around or one you can get cheap or just another possible idea you're kicking around?

[sext7366]

No I don't have one yet, but you may have read one of my earlier posts...my 383 has about 20k since the last rebuild, but it overheated, and one of the pistons melted (it has a hole in the center), all the bores still look perfect except for this one which just has one rough spot, but in the case that it needs to be sleeved, combined with the fact that its already bored .060 over I was considering stepping up to a 440 so I would need a block, crank, and an intake.  even though its more $ I too thought that in the long run it might be worth it by the hp gained.  I would rebuild it to High Performance standards.

[Ghoste]

If you're already looking at extra machine work, then maybe the 440 is the way to go.