to stroke or not to stroke....that is the question?

[Wildstreak]

Well I am at a crossroads. I was going to go with a 454 but have decided to sell the truck at a later time and would like to keep the 454 for myself. here lies the questions. I have two options, one is an old 350 that I take and get machined and make it a 383 buy the rotating assemble and go on my way or I have a newer 5.3 with less that 30km on it. Which engine should I use? I would like to consider the option that would make the truck more valuable, what do you all recommend? Info on the truck, it is a 70 lwb 4x4 and will be using a 700r4/ np241. I would like to run 35''x16'' tires as well.

[Wildstreak]

any one? taking all opinions.

[72chevyk10]

id stroke the 454!! im thinkin of building a 489 for my truck

[72chevyk10]

wait never mind. i didnt see that you wanted to sell the truck its goin in in that case id do the 383. i just like the old school engines better

[OhOneWS6]

No matter what you do, buyers will want something different. Unless you are putting it back original nothing is going to make it "More Valuable". Everything is a personal preference.

[Wildstreak]

shhhhhhh Im going to lol, but I want to buy a blazer first or swb to stick it in.

[Wildstreak]

Originally Posted by OhOneWS6

No matter what you do, buyers will want something different. Unless you are putting it back original everything is a personal preference.

thats what I figure and it will be way easier to do the 383 than the 5.3 so I think Im just going to build the 383. Now I just have to figure out all the details on which parts to order to stroke my 350.

[haysonj]

I went with a FI 383 T400 with a gear vendors. 410 gears 35x12.50x16.5 tires cruises 65 at around 2000 RPM and still has enough power too light those big tires in low gear. But then if you built it you wouldn't want to sell it.

[Wildstreak]

Originally Posted by haysonj

I went with a FI 383 T400 with a gear vendors. 410 gears 35x12.50x16.5 tires cruises 65 at around 2000 RPM and still has enough power too light those big tires in low gear. But then if you built it you wouldn't want to sell it.

I hear ya there, thats why I decided not to use the 454 lol

[tonypaul]

Im currently gathering parts to put a brand new 8.1L crate engine in my 68 GMC swb. I will tell you unless you get everything, and Im mean everything, it will nickel and dime you to death. Even though I got a smokin deal on the engine, the harness, the electronic transmission, the headers, mass air, electronic pedal, the list goes on and on..... it gets expensive. If I just wasnt set on doing my first non carb engine, I would just do a rebuild with some really good parts... In My opinon you just cant go wrong with a stroker engine, and it really isnt that much moore for what you get if your putting it in something that already had a carb engine in it.

[Wildstreak]

and that right there is another reason I would like to hold off on a newer engine.....theres nicer ones out there lol. My dad has an 08 chevy hd2500 gas and its a beast, I would love to get one of those motors instead of the 5.3. But just like you say it will nickle and dime you till your head hurts.

[Dieselwrencher]

There are plenty of options for 383's for sure. I know I loved both the ones I had.

[Wildstreak]

yea Im set on 383 now I just need to figure out what kit to order ala flat +7cc or dome +18cc pistons any ideas? lol not sure what my head size is but I would like to run 9-10 compression ratio

[vectorit]

If it were me.

I'd get rid of the 454 rotating assembly, punch out that 454 block and put in a forged steel 396 crank/rods. Big bores, snapy low end torque, matched with low gears.

Heads, I'd go with a oval port semi open chamber if you are on a budget. If you have a few bucks, then I'd look at the new stuff out there in the catalogs and get exactly what you want.

Induction, sky is the limit. But if on a budget, stay with a good dual plane.

Just my .02

[Wildstreak]

oh something like that will be happening rather shortly to the bbc, but i would like to save it for the blazer I want really bad right now lol

[Dieselwrencher]

You better figure out what you have for heads before ordering anything so you're not doing that twice.

[Wildstreak]

I was looking at a site and the kit I was looking at works with any size head cc, its just seems the differences in head size would cause differences in the compression, or am I wrong?

[jim zag]

You need to pick the cam you want and then decide on the compression ratio. Small cam closer to 9 big cam closer to 10.

[Wildstreak]

I was thinking a 220 or 230 cam, I have a comp cam right now but lost the sheet for it, if i can find that, I may already have the cam I want.

[Dieselwrencher]

Originally Posted by Wildstreak

I was looking at a site and the kit I was looking at works with any size head cc, its just seems the differences in head size would cause differences in the compression, or am I wrong?

You are right. That will be the final element besides the piston for compression.

[Wildstreak]

Originally Posted by Dieselwrencher

You are right. That will be the final element besides the piston for compression.

sweet, Im new to this whole engine building process but I am learning tons! thanks for all your help so far guys