Thinking of buying a 383 or a 396 stroker. Would like to get everyone opinion on which would be the best for for weekend cruiser autocross and some drag racing. But most of all is where I shoud get it, who's the best stroker builder out there for the money? Keith

 

I'm running a Golen 396 short block and couldn't be more happy with it! I'm planning a gear change (4.30s) and some new 28" Goodyear slicks and I should be running 10.90s this season (all N/A). My previous 11.30s were without a good launch (60 ft times), so I know I've got several tenths still on the table.

WD

 

I vote for Victory Racing Engines. They built my shortblock and its badass

 

http://www.golenengineservice.com/
Golen is real good

 

What times are you runninng with your 396? Didn't see any numbers posted.

Also, do you still have snow down at SA?

WD

 

I've got 12 years on my Lingenfelter short block...No complaints here...Callies crank, Oliver billet 5.85" rods, and JE pistons...I hear good things about Golen and Victory, too...Times/mph in my sig, with more to come with the True Duals and a gear change...

--Alan

 

Josh,
I am happy you like your engine, and I appreciate you recommending us.

96 SS 1424,
The question you asked is going to yeild alot of opinions. Whoever you choose, Victory, Golen, ect ect I am sure you will be happy with the outcome.

 

Wow! 12 years on the same performance engine. That is about the twice the average length of most marriages now days. Do you run it at the track regularly?

WD

 

I too have always been impressed with the life of Alans motor. LPE isn't cheap and years ago when I had them send me a brochure I wondered if their high prices were worth it, even knowing the late JL really knew his stuff and had set records in the preformance world. But in the end it looks like money well spent.

 

Yeah, I have zero complaints...A full LPE 383 440 hp package was installed in 1995 with the car having 300 miles on it...The only extra option was the Corvette 4 bolt block...We ran the car hard both at the track and the street with the original LPE set up (211/219 cam etc) until 2005 when we wanted to go faster...The already ported bigger valve LPE LT1 castings were sent to EB Porting and Joe O. specd me a little bit bigger cam...leaving the short block alone we added the Joe O. cam and the re-ported heads (still with the same valve springs since 1995! Eric said they were still perfect!!)...Added 30lb ingectors still with the stock fuel pump and buttoned everything back up...Also went with Kooks stepped stainless headers to replace the LPE 1 5/8" shorties and a 12 bolt just as added insurance...

The damn thing has been an anvil...Its always had Mobil 1 changed every 3000 miles (overkill I know) and still compression checked at 205-220psi...I also think part of its longevity is that I only rev it to 6300 with the new set up and 6000 with the old...Either way its been well worth the initial expense...This year I added 3" TDs and am contemplating going to 4.10s and a 28" tire...Should be interesting...and this year I'll have been married for 15 years...to the same woman...go figure...

...and it looks like me and the the Engineer would be a great race!

--Alan

 

Another vote for victory racing engines

 

My money went with a VRE 396 Racer short block... with a few goodies added.

Not cheap, but money well spent IMO.

Very accomodating builder.

 

+1 for golen

 

I would look into Victory, they have alot of packages to meet different budgets and goals.

 

Yes, we are very close with our track times and it would probably come down to who cut the best light. It would definitely be a close heads-up race.

My current times are with 3.73s and small 26" ET Streets. I've had some problems with small ETs holding when I try to launch hard. Which has caused some consistency problems for me.

So, I’m planning to install a Moser 12-bolt w/ 4.30 gears and 28” x 10.5" Goodyear slicks. That should fix my consistency problems and possibly pickup a few tenths. I’m also installing a Wolfe 6-point roll-bar, so I’ll be adding some weight back. It was 3315 w/o me in the car.

WD