reamo04

well guys, my trusty LT1 is about to turn over to 146k (old girl), and unfortunately, i think it is time to start thinkin about replacin her good ole heart. /
Ive been researching, and pricing, and researching, and even more pricing on this. Ive decided, what the hell, only getting done once, so i quit worrying about the price (for the most part).
I searched for a couple hrs, but couldnt find what i was looking for

id like to keep the short block under 4k though.
I was pretty set on doing a LE3 383, but lately have been feeling the urge to go bigger. And, on VRE, theres only like a $50 difference for 13 more cubes.


so, what i can get for 3650(383), or 3700(396) is
Compstar X.XXX" Stroke 4340 Crankshaft
Compstar 6.000" H-Beam Rods
SRP -5cc Flat Top Pistons
Mahle Rings
Clevite Rod Bearings
Clevite Main Bearings
Clevite Cam Bearings
ARP Main Studs
Balance Rotating Assembly


seems to be a good setup, since i always hear good stuff about compstar and SRP.

Now, before you guys tell me, go with the 383 because its more streetable, idc about what u guys say is streetable, since i can take a VERY nasty car and still be okay with it on the street.

W/e motor i get will end up with LE3 heads/cam. I know i need to take into account supporting stuff such as intake porting, suspension, tranny, but my goals for the car is to hit low 11's on DRs. Already decided i'm going to do a yank ss3600 stall, and 3.73 gears. Which motor would help me get there EASIEST. I would def. think the 396, but wanted the much respected opinion of cz28.com (really hoping to hear from injuneer and ss RRR [this thats his name on here, should be close tho])

seawolf06

There are several threads about 383 vs. 396, and most have said that the gain is minimal for 13 cubes and it isn't worth the extra money and possible problems that can come up. Might want to think about upgrading to some better pistons, though as those are close to the bottom of the barrell. Diamond pistons are the ones I'd get. There's a thread in here on that as well.

reamo04

yeah, but ive heard there CAN be a 40-50 RWHP difference, which is worth the little bit of extra money IMO. theres not really much of a price difference, ive talked to several people about it. Ive also heard of 396's pushing 500RWHP, where most 383s are 450 and below from what i've seen.

Why do you say the 396 will cause more problems, the only problems i've heard of is just the push rod length, which ive spoken to lloyd about and he said that would be no problem either.

seawolf06

I guess there are less worries if you use an aftermarket block, but .060 over makes for thin walls in a LT1.

reamo04

^thats not how its gonna be done in the VRE block, it'll be 30 over w/ a 3.875" crank instead of the 3.750 as used in the 383


the most common, but improper way to do a 396 is 06 over w/ a 3.750 crank, and the least common, but safest and proper way is a 3.875 crank 30 over

seawolf06

Ok, I didn't see that in the post. Maybe the 383 will rev a little faster then?

reamo04

im kind of wondering about that too. I know that my friends chevelle w/ a 396 doesnt rev that fast, but it pulls like a raped ape the whole way.I know 383s make peak HP about 500RPMs before a 350, so i also wonder how much sooner the 396 will make peak HP compared to the 383.

I plan on spraying either motor w/ around a 200shot eventually

seawolf06

Then you'll definitely want better pistons. Make sure you give VRE all the info about what you want to run so they can gap the rings and such properly. Same with LE.

reamo04

yeah, im planning on upgrading to the diamond pistons

Jerm93z28

this is interesting logic... no mention of cam or any of that nonsense. lol...

Javier97Z28

Power differences in that level have nothing to do with displacement, and have EVERYTHING to do with heads/cam selection.

sbs

seawolf06

I agree. Those gains are a little exaggerated. I think that can be more from the fact that those running the 396 usually go extreme with everything else like a solid roller setup and all out heads.

The displacement does have an effect on where peak hp occurs and the overall power band. Maybe not quite as much as the H/C setup does though.

Jerm93z28

it does have an affect if you stick the same cam, heads, and intake on each engine....

reamo04

and, either way it'll be a LE3 head/cam combo....so wouldnt a bigger motor make it peak earlier?
If EVERYTHING is the same for each setup, wouldnt the 396 still be better than the 383?