CTK1

Unfortunately I had a lifter fail in my 355 last night. It sent the lifter and pushrod through the engine. I have not gotten inside yet, but noticed that there is a hold in the oil pan so it sounds pretty bad. I'm trying to decide on what I should replace it with. Can anybody with any experience help me out? I would like to get somewhere between 425-500 hp. It is strictly a street car so streetability is extremely important. Can anybody give me the advantges and drawbacks of the following?

355-basically what I had before. Ran great but would like more power.

383 stroker

406 small block


Thanks guys. This has been an awful week!

angel71rs

I believe in going with the most cubes you can afford, so of the 3 options listed, build the 406. It will be more streetable, make more low end torque. Only problem is finding a good 400 block. 2nd choice would be the 383. 383 cranks are cheap.

CTK1

Thanks Angel71RS,
The 406 is my first choice, but like you said the 400 blocks are tough to find. I also heard that they have alot of overheating problems. Right now it is looking like a 383 stroker. Is 425-450 HP seem like a realistic expectation?

angel71rs

I've never had an issue with 400s overheating when run at .30" over. Just have to build/get the tune right.

You can make that kind of power and be streetable, that is a reliable, fun to drive combination if matched with proper clutch/torque converter, gears, exhaust, etc., if you go with a roller cam. Flat tappet is going to require a bigger cam that will get lumpier, lose more low end torque. The longer stroke of the 383 helps keep the low end torque with the bigger cams compared to a 350, but it only helps so much. Of course, a good set of heads is a given, not going to happen with old camel humps.

Plenty of 383 buildup articles on the net, read up on them and decide how much low end you are willing to give up to get a bigger hp number on the top end. I tend to be more conservative now when choosing cams; prefer the added torque down low where the engine spends vast majority of it's time vs more hp up top for a few moments of time. My days of running 250/250 cams are long over.

AutoRoc

What abut swapping to a 5.3 or 6.0 LS based truck engine? do the carb intake, MSD adapter box, LS engine mounts, install a more aggressive cam, have the heads ported if funds allow.. Run truck exhaust manifolds of you cant afford new headers. No reason you can't make 425+hp with that and they are a dime a dozen at scrap yards(the 5.3's are cheap anyways).

327 or 366 cubes of new style.

pineapplesink6

what about a 421 or 434?

CTK1

Thanks guys,
You guys gave me alot of information to consider. The main reason I am going with the older style engine over the LS is because I have alot of parts that I can reuse, including brand new Jet Hot headers, a new RPM Airgap in endurashine, etc.
The budget is the biggest issue. My 355 was pretty fresh, plus I just bought a 5th gen, so money is a little tight right now. Basically trying to get the most of what I can afford. I think its either going to be a 383 or 406, just comes down to the estimates I get. Thanks again for your help and suggestions!

JFH

Try the GM zz383 plenty of power 425 advertised got a little more than that. And it comes with a warranty . This is a nice peice very streetable 9.9 compression with a nice sound.

tonydutcher

I can get you a 400 sbc call me and i can see how you would like to purchase it i have one to i`m building 406 my self this 400 is not been bored yet neither you can reach me at 614-989-6500 my name is tony i live in columbus ohio.

tonydutcher

I have 1980z hood air induction working induction doors t-tops 2 sets of door glass arm rest spoilers louver for front of car rider side seat black and me and a friend have a 1980 z28 car t-top great condition has a rust hole in passenger fender minor big as a quarter and some rust under trunk lid on passenger side but other than that it is a solid find engine is not so good she clunks but have a fresh 350 with 510 cam aluminum intake four barrel 750 elderblock electric choke vortec 906 casting ported out heads k-motion springs 700 lift vavle job engine has about 1000 miles on it runs great call me at614-989-6500 tony