I've been looking at Stroker options and it appears to me that the difference in price between doing a quality bottom end for either motor is very close in price. But from the research I've done so far I'm beginning to wonder if buidling a larger cubic inch engine is worth it if I don't go with aftermarket heads, basically AFR's or possibly Trick Flows. The difference in price between a set of ported AFR heads and Stock castings is a more substantial difference, as much as $1500 difference.

Is it crazy to put together a larger cube bottom end, when all I'm talking about running is a set of quality ported stock castings, cause I sure don't have the extra money for a set of AFR's, and probably won't anytime soon. I'm thinking I might be happier with a 355, that revs faster and that has heads that more closely match it's capacity.

What do you think?

 

I think you already answered your own question. If you can't afford a set of kick *** heads, go with the 355.

 

Yep, add ported LT4s to the stroker head possibility list as well.

My grandpappy allways said, "if you don't do it right don't do it at all".

A well built 355 that makes power from 4000 to 6500 will put more than a big grin on your face as well. The torque of a 383 is a wonder to behold though.

 

I say build the biggest motor you can afford.

 

Well I'm in the 355 camp, stock crank is really strong. LT1 castings, LT1 intake are all cheap, and you can spend the money on good porting and good machine work.

Bret

 

I'm mirroring my new 355 off my buddys (NOSTANG96Z). His LT4 headed, GTP-6 cammed 355 runs 10.35 on a 150 shot, and 11.4 on the motor...In a 3600# car. His engine also has a stock crank, and a 2 bolt main block.
My 355 will be very similar, as the 847 cam specs are nearly identical to the GTP-6's. I'm also using 6" rods where his are 5.7". My heads are ported LT1 castings with 2.0"-1.56" valves, which flow 271 CFM @ .550". My car only weights 3448#.
Remember one thing about large cubes...They create alot of low end torque...Usually TOO MUCH torque to plant the tires.

MY VOTE IS FOR A BIG CAM/HIGH COMPRESSION 355

Frank

 

i would say 383 i was going to do a 355...but my best friend talked me into a 383. A 383 and a set of Lloyd heads and custom cam = 400hp range!

but then again..only go with what u can afford!! i had $3,500.00 in mine!

 

LOL...Just so we're clear on this one. I've got more than enough money to afford a 383 IF I wanted one. The fact is I DON'T want one.
If you want dyno bragging rights, or alot of smoky burnouts, a 383 is the way to go. If you want to run quick in the quarter, a 355 is the way to go

This debate has been posed several times on here. I've even asked the stroker owners the simple question. Are you running quicker than 10.35 on a 150 shot? Are you running quicker than 11.4 on the motor?...With a 3600# car?

Frank

 

Do it once, do it right!!!

We need to talk.

 

you do know you can see 400rwhp on a stock bottom end with one of Lloyd's packages. id hope you'd see more with a 383.

 

If I go with a 355 it will be with a four bolt main, (I've already got some Oliver Splayed Caps), and it will be built to handle some spray. Hopefully mid 11's on motor, low 11's maybe high 10's on the juice.

I'm thinking that the smart thing to do is spend the money on a good set of LT1 ported castings and a matched custom cam setup, rather than on a forged stroker crank and increased machining costs.

I like torque as much as the next guy, but even with my current setup, (Stock bottom end, cam, and Heads), I've got enough torque to ruin my street tires for three gears.

 

Why are you running the ZZ9 cam in your 383. I had it in my 355 and it was awesome cam matched to TPIS ported LT1 heads.

Now I am changing to cc306 buidling a 383 motor. My 355 had a broken exhaust valve that damaged one piston, the block and one head.

I would say get a bigger cam with the 383. TPIS recommended to step up to ZZ409 cam with the 383 instead of ZZ9 cam.

 

Thats the truth, on street tires I cannot lay the hammer down below 45 mph without the rearend coming around.

 

Im going with a 383 for the reason that i only wana have to do the bottom end once so im doing it right with forged parts i can always upgrade to a larger cam or better flowing heads later on but i think my current set up will make me smile a while.

 

Hi,

I am the one that Frank is refering too. I ran the numbers in the sig with my 355 (stock crank and 2 bolt mains). Once I get the new slicks mounted on my rims I will be in the 9.9@~134mph range on the 200 shot. If I were to swiss cheese my street car like some do and make it more of a race car I am sure I could get into the mid 9's on the 200 shot and low low 11's high 10's NA but I like my street car the way it is. If you are on a budget like most of us build the 355 and spend the money on the headwork. The headwork/cam is where all the power is. Just make sure the head porter matches the cam. I have plenty of torque with my 355 as well due to the matching converter. However, If you have unlimited funds then I would opt for a stroker for every last bit of power...(do even more headwork, bigger cam, and full suspension/gearing/etc.). Some advice for you. Build the whole car...not just the engine combo. If you do this you will be happier and run faster than you would expect.

Good Luck

Matt