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383 or 388

14K views 7 replies 5 participants last post by  jim.. 
#1 ·
:) :) Ok I have a 350 block... Tell me where I can get the 383 kit? What all will need to be machines to make these changes? How does a engine become a 388 is it .30 350 with 383 kit or what? I need to know basically, how to build the rotating assembly then I can do the valvetrain and intake and carb. What all wont fit on the 383 or 388 after the work is done to the 350 block? ex. oil pan, oil pump, balancer... cooling? Please help me out
 
#2 ·
383 kits are everywhere on the net from eBay to summit. Eagle, Jegs, Northern, PAW all offer kits. Cost depends on your tastes and pocketbook.

383 is a 400 stroke crank in a 350 block. The 350 or 400 rod can be used. Tho, the longer 350 rod is the most common on performance applications. Along with the correct pistons. Then add a 400 balancer and flywheel. These can be replaced with 350 type components if the crank will take internal balancing. A stock 400 crank won't fit, the mains are too big. 388 is just a different oversize bore. Common to 350 is .020, .030, .040 and if a real good block .060" oversize piston can be used on a street motor.

The work needed to install the rotating assbly is grinding the lower cylinder walls and the oil pan rail for rod clearance. Checking for camshaft/rod contact. Every block is different. You have to do each one as an individual. You need the width of a common medium size paper clip for clearance checking. Some rods have to have small nuts installed. Some need the upper corner ground off the rod bolt. ALL kits need to be professionally balanced before final assembly.
 
#3 ·
It is probably safer and cheaper to buy a 383 nowadays than build one,the machining alone to fit the 400 crank into the 350 block is very expensive,then you have to bore .030,going to need pistons and rods....etc.etc. etc.

Other than the internal changes,the engine is basically still a 350 on the outside.
 
#4 ·
ok... basically what im going for is 500 hp and building it cheap as I can but as reliable as I can. What would be some nice carb options and builds with 350 that I could do? Also, I know this sounds skeptical, but I want to atleast get 15 mpg in the city with easing around then mash when needed. I want to put this configuration in a nova or camaro...
 
#7 ·
no it dosn't :nono:

but theres something wrong with some of those statements up there ^

let me just say if chevy can make a 330hp motor with 29mpg than he could make a 383 that can make 500hp and get 12mpg or better, just not with a carb and definetly not during wide open throttle. and yes it would be expensive cause then he'd have to convert to EFI and ALL the goodies to go with it

a 383 is no more than a 350 block bored .030 over with a 3.75" stroke {a 400 crank} a 388 is the same thing but instead of being bored to .030 over it's .060 over

don't get a 400 crank and shave it down, get one already made for a 383 for a couple hundred bucks. try this place http://www.cnc-motorsports.com/page.asp?PageID=6826

good luck, J
 
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