red blur

Okay, here's what I want:

~400 RWHP
daily driven--needs to be VERY streetable. I don't need any parts breaking, no down time.
Being a DD, I'd like to stay as economical as possible. I know, I want the best of both worlds!

Here's what I'm thinking:

383 with forged all (crank maybe, still researching)
def. pistons, connecting rods, etc
LE2 or equal heads/cam
plus all the bolt ons I currently have

How doable is this? I'm not a real racer guy, just have an extra block and will be having fun with it till mine blows up! When my current motor does blow up, I want this one to be ready to just drop in. What do you think?

I'm reading more and more about 355s not being as streetable as 383s. But if I'm not looking for an insane amount of horsepower, wouldn't a 355 fit my application better. I know there's no replacement for displacement, but it seems like I can meet 400 RWHP and still get decent gas mileage. Plus a 355 has potential to be a cheaper build because I could keep a stock crank and still be somewhat bulletproof. Opinions on that?

I plan on a 12 bolt in the future, but like I said, I don't hit the track often. If anything, I autocross more than I straightline it. To back that up, I'm doing an LS1 brake upgrade this weekend, and a friend asked "why are you upgrading your brakes? You don't use them on the turns anyway?!?!"

RedLT4Mike

355 WILL be cheaper and easier to do.
If you can't afford to get a kick *** topend,
stay 355.

Towards the end of my build, I was wAAAAY overbudget.
383 tq is tons of fun tho......

Joe B

Yea, the 355 would be more than enough for what your looking to do.......I also agree that if you don't plan to spend a bunch of cash for a pair of ("At" or "Over") 300 CFM AFR heads all done up(or a close equivilant aftermarket head) the 355 is a "really" good way to go......The 355 will make the same Horsepower, but you'll just need to spin it a bit higher, but the higher RPM range is still plenty safe and streetable in most peoples opinions.....Also, many times an equally prep'd 355 will even end up faster at the track when both the 355 and 383 are using maxed out stock casting LT1 heads like the LE2 or LE3's... The ported stock casting heads cross sectional area will only do so much......Just go fully forged (crank pistons rods) and you shouldn't have anything to worry about breakage wise(even if you decide on a bottle in the future).....This is exactly whats going into mine during the next few months, instead of the 383 that was all planned out for many months......Over and above what I have in my signature, I will be upping the compression a little with the new 355 shortblock (but still pump gas) , going for a more desirable quench, and adding a LE2 cam(Instead of the LE1 that I currently have), and a little more bottle to try for some lower 10's I will post the results as soon as it gets going here pretty shortly........good luck with your build.......Joe

Z28WannaB

Yeah, I definitely agree. I've already researched this before, 355 is much cheaper and better route. Unless you've got big bucks.

- Z28WannaB

Victory Racing

red blur sent you a PM with some options.

red blur

Are you sure? Don't see it yet....

Thanks for all the input guys! I knew I would be better off with a 355. Still trying to budget it all out, but this will be a project in the making for a little while. I do have a couple of questions though:

Remembering that I want it DD and best mpg as possible with 400ish HP, what kind of cam should I be thinking of? The bottom end is pretty easy to build up: get all forged parts, decent lightweight pistons, ARP everything. No real measuring until it goes to the maching shop. Top end, what do you think I should be looking at?

If upgrading all the top end, I'm guessing a new intake/TB is in order. Prob 58mm, but how do I determine that? Is there a formula for measuring the amount of air needed to come into the TB/intake in order to maximize head flow? I don't want to bottleneck anything, I want this to be an optimum setup where everything works together. Let me know what you think!

Jeremy

WS Sick

I've had plenty of 355s over the years, in a street car the 383 to 355 is no contest, the 383 is much funner to drive and much much more responsive.

If you have the cash for the goods the 383 is the way to go.

By the way my first LT1 383 I built I had less than 2 grand in the short block, and it ran mid 11s without a hithc (shifter in drive).

I'm building another budget minded forged set-up 383 and I am still on budget for less than 3 grand in the short block (depening on a few things I may be right on 2500$).

1racerdude

If ya decide to go 383 get the LE3 set up and let him port the intake. Ya should have 300+CFM but even the LE3 won't get ya there. 300CFM will get ya 625FWHP with everything else being spot on.

97WS6Pilot

budget 355 with forged pistons, mild port and small cam, and a 100 shot of nitrous. Very reliable. 400hp.

CALL911

If you decide to go 383, I have some J&E Forged SRP pistons I will cut you a KILLER deal on.

Regaurdless about my pistons though, I would vote for the 383. Back when I was N/A I put down 420 RWHP with a very mild cam. It was extremly streetable, and a blast to drive, but still had the power when I wanted it.

blackz97

355's are sweet if you like a high revving motor. All forged internals are not neccessary for that power level unless you want to be able to add a unit or something. A nice set of forged pistons from probe or srp and stock crank and rods would work fine if you will not be squeezing.

As far as fuel mileage goes just as an example recently I drove the car up to the track in palmdale made 10 passes and drove all the way home. My overall mileage for that trip was 15mpg. On the way there it was traffic most of the way, the trip home was later in the evening and was smooth sailing.

Overall im very satisfied with my choice of 355 over 383.

Steve

hsyr

I say go with a 355 with some 190CC Heads from www.advancedinduction.com .
Seems to be lots of guys trappin 119-121+mph with their mild hydraulic setup. Seems to be lots of 'others' trapping less with their 383 setups IMO

Jlo

I'm in the same boat this guy is in can't decide on 355 or 383 the only difference is that I have my LE3 heads and cam package .

blkchevyz

if your sticking with ported lt1 heads your probably going to make the same power with both motors. the 383 will be able to do it with better driveability.

Sweetred95ta

I'd do whatever is cheaper because unless you get some aftermarket heads, you won't see the full benefit of the 383. If it's just a dependable motor that can put out 400 rwhp that you want, then a 355 can definitely get the job done.