If you're going to buy a new crank, I see no reason to not do the 383.

 

A well built 383 will last as long as a well built 355. The velocity of the pistons and rods might be faster per rev than the 355, but the 383 wont have to rev as high. So it all comes out in the wash.

 

Hijack, what about a 396? Does it suffer from a reliability/longevity sacrifice?

 

The original poster brought up saving money. I don't think he would have if he was planning on making a 7500rpm 355. He's probably only gunna rev to 6k or slightly more, in which case the 383 is just fine.

 

I was simply challenging the above statement.

 

Maybe but how many 383's do you know of with 200,000 on em? Not many. I didn't say a 383 wouldn't last but a 355 would last much longer in a DD. He'll I'm a huge fan of 383's I just can't afford one. To me the power numbers a 383 puts up is well worth any negative side effects, but for MOST people it's not logical to put a 383 in a DD. And yes a stock rearend can be beefed up to an extent. I wouldnt risk it if your shooting for 11's but it can be made to work for a little while.

 

I personally would go with a 406 power plant myself, I found the only issue to deal with is it gets hot that was easily remedied with a larger radiator cold thermostat high grade coolant and a cooling additive.

Mike

 

No, it can't.

 

Beefing up a 7.5" 10 bolter ? LOL. . .LMAO. . .

Mike

 

It has been done, effectively, huge thread on it here in the drive-train section I think.

Rather its worth your time, I can not be the judge of that.

99.9999% of people just buy a 12bolt or 9inch and are happy.

 

Money put into a 10 bolt is money put into the trash, and that's the bottom line. I don't care what some thread in the drivetrain section says.

 

I would strongly recommend buying a low mileage early 90's Honda if thats even a concern.

 

2 things . . .
1. you don't buy or build a performance car for good fuel millage !
2. you don't buy or build a performance car expecting to put 250,000 miles on it.
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Ok that being said, Now i'm sure the 355 would out live the 383 but the 383 will last more then to long as it is.

you don't really buy a camaro or trans am expecting to put 300K miles on it like you would a GMC 1500-3500 pickup truck.

you build them for FUN ! if it lasts a year or 20 years oh well FUN is the goal speed handling . . .

Me i was all about going to the extremes i went with:
406TBI Stage 3 4L60E Moser 12bolt Richmond 3.73's back up with 295/50R16's on the rear and 245/50R16's on the front.

all i have left to do is assemble the Car. . .

Mike

 

Just received the December issue of Hot Rod Mag. You might be able to find the artical at HOTROD.COM in the section called pit stop, Displacement VS. Torque. They compair a 355 and a 383 using everything the same and the only differance is the stroke. This is a computer program simulation and is some interesting reading. As far as one lasting longer then the other really depends on the driver and the amount of lead one has on the gas pedal. Providing that both are built mistake free

 

And 3 not everyone can afford a straight drag car and DD so yes it doesn Matter to some people. When did I say beefing up a stock rearend was the best way to go? I didn't I jus said it could be done and maybe last you long enough to buy a better one.