I was thinking of going to the 383 soon. The car is almost at 100,000 miles and thus will need some new parts soon. When that happens I want to be ready and know what to do. Anyone have any info on going 383? What gains can be expected? How much will it cost? Where can I get the parts? How reliable is this to do? It is my daily driver so I dont wana risk much. I dont wana spend much as I am saving for a house. Should I go 383 or stay 350? Any info is appreciated, thanks.

 

100k miles is barely broken in. keep chaninge oil on time and u have another 40k miles.

they are naturally less reliable than a 350/355.

Cost- about the same as a 355- $200 more or so.

gains? not much- most gains are in the heads/cam swap

 

my goal is just for a preventative measure. i want to replace virtually everything in the engine while I am in there. I plan on waiting until something goes bad, but when it does I wana be ready for it. Any suggestions on what to buy, or how much etc?

 

this is like taking penicilin incase you get sick..


get sick first. then "be in there'

 

i think the idea is to increase the gains you would have gotten from heads/cam/boost. Where you'd have 400hp w/ a 355, you'd have like 430 w/ the same mods on a 383. at least thats my understanding of it anyway

 

Its a good idea to add some cubes for performance-
there is no point to do it as a "preventive" measure..

 

I'd say a 355 is good for a daily driver.. If you do go a 383 you will noticed a big difference in torque. Like trey said if you want any MAJOR difference in hp do the top end while you are at it. Although theres nothing wrong with just doing the bottom end, you'll noticed plenty.

Also, wait until something goes wrong with it before you dig in.. 100k really isn't much unless the car was abused. If you have kept the oil changed it should last for several thousand :-)

 

My .02
if you have have more pressing matters(i.e. house) go with a 355 and put the money you save from doing a 383 and put it into the top end

 

If I were you, first things I would get is a good cam and a good set of heads. Once you got the top end parts you need/want, then if you still have money and your motor is still running, either pull it and do the bottom end or buy the rotating assembly, then pull it. BUT, sometimes its not wise to buy parts like that until the bottom end is appart and you know what can be done to it.