350 or 383?

[Cody1018]

Ive got my 350 sb tore down to the block. Im ready to take it into the machine shop to get it checked over and worked on. Im still undecided which way to go though. Build a mild 350 or bore it out and build a 383 stoker. Its going in a k20 longbed thats going to have a 4 inch susp. lift with 33 or 35 inch tires. Going to be my daily driver/work truck (might put a plow on it, not sure about that either). Going to have a 700r4 tranny and 208 transfer. The truck has 3.73 gears as of now. Not sure if ill need to change them out with having bigger tires.  But all in all i need someone to point me in the direction i should go. Any help/suggestions are appreciated. Any parts or companies you can recommend would be helpful as well.

[VileZambonie]

If you've got the extra $ go for it.

[Senck243]

How much $ is the difference?

[VileZambonie]

 about $1,000

[jdl71]

I wrestled with this same question not too long ago. Even though I didn't go the stroker route, I concur with Vile. If you've got the extra scratch go for it. I didn't not due to money mainly, but because i needed my truck running again as quickly as possible, and my block didn't need any machine work other than cleaning, cam bearings and a light hone.

Jeg's was selling a balanced rotating assembly for around a grand, there's a little extra machining to be done at the bottom of the block and lots of clearances to be checked, but other than that you're looking at the same parts as a regular rebuild.

[Cody1018]

Money is a bit of an issue. The engine is where i am starting with my whole project. Slowly working to drive train then the body. This wont need to be an immediate build as i have a truck to drive for now. Im looking at about 2 years roughly to completely build my truck from frame up. So i might be able to swing some extra cash to the motor.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/ESP-B13405E030/

Found this kit on summits website. Didnt think the price was too bad. But im not a motor guru either.

[Lt.Del]

you won't regret it if you go the 383 stroker route.  I got one and love it.  they call these stump pullers for a reason. lozza torque.
get an rv cam to take advantage of the lower rpm's and give it a slight lopey idle. with duals it sounds awesome.

[mikek20]

I went through the same thing 3 years ago, I was 15 when I got my truck, at 17 I decided to go with the 383 and spent $1,100 more than just doing the 350 with some odds and ends. I do not regret it one bit. I have a k20 with 6" rough country suspension lift, 700r4 tranny and 36" as of now, I drove it one week before I tore it all down for paint. In that amount of time I realized I had made the right choice. Again if it is in budget then go for 383. I started as budget build at 15 years old, I'm now 20 and still not done with the truck, close though..

[DustyRusty]

I concur that the 383 is the way to go.

Cody, below are two sites that have regular rebuild kits in addition to the stroker kits:

     1.  http://www.enginekits.com    (In the summer of 2007 Super Chevy magazine had 3 issues on building a stroker w/ parts from this co., and their prices seem reasonable)


     2.http://www.northernautoparts.com   (Prices also seem reasonable)

Good luck w/ your build.

Rusty

[bake74]

     As mentioned, you will never regret the power of the 383, but you might have to think of long term and GPM, the 383 will suck more gas ( that is the only downside ), so if gas mpg is not a concern, if you can you should do the 383.

[Cody1018]

What kind of gas mileage does a 383 normally get. If i can get about 15 mpg ill be happy. Not quite sure what kind of mileage i get in my truck now which has a 305. How much of a change would i see mpg wise? Since im still in high school and dont have a steady job yet mpg isnt too big of a deal since a round trip to and from school is a little over 4 miles.

[bake74]

     I am assuming 10 -12 miles per gallon if you keep your foot out of it.  But most of the time, when people have more power, they tend to want to use more power.
     Your 305 should get a good 15 - 18 if tuned right, 350 is like 12 - 15, 454 about 8 -10, so you can see the pattern.  ( this all depends on driving style, setup as for as trans, gears in truck, and how you have it tuned )
      My honest opinion has always been, (I know this does not work for everyone), is to have 1 vehicle that is reliable and daily driver, and have the second one you play with. 
     There is nothing to say you wont be thrilled with a 383, most people are, just be realistic  and know you will not get the MPG you are used to.

[Cody1018]

Will probably go with the 383. Since im doing a frame off on this truck ive decided to make it my play truck instead of a work truck. Going to buy a dd work truck later on down the road. Thanks for the help guys, appreciate it.

[Psycho71]

Good luck on getting 15mpg's out of a lifted truck with big tires. My burb, with 4" lift and 35's, gets right around 10mpg. It doesn't have OD though, but I don't see that giving me 5mpg more. You'll likely be around 11-12mpg, like stated above. It will be like driving a lifted barn door down the road. if you want more MPG's, look into a LS (5.3) engine swap. You can get them fairly cheap, and probably do the whole swap for just a little more $ than the 383 would cost. Just food for thought.

On the engine, I had to make the same decision. I went with the 350 to save a bit of cash. I did go 9.5:1 with a decent little cam, and I'm not disappointed one bit. It tows just fine, picks up speed on demand, and when off-roading or mudding the low range takes care of any deficiencies in the engine bay. I can turn all four 35x12.5's on gravel in low range. Can't ask it to do much more than that. Not for a semi-daily driver anyway.

[1980c10]

I have a 350 and get 17-21 mpg I wanted good power and to be able to afford to run it daily. A 350 or 383 can be a slow gas pig or nice performers. Just make sure whatever you do make it a complete package that works together. if you're working with a tight budget a 350 can handle this truck just fine. So what you really need to look at is if the 1k would be better spent elsewhere depending on your goals.