The Ultimate Guide to the Chevy 383 Stroker

This happens to be a Lunati rotator package that we have beating on now for more than a year. While the 4340 steel cranks and rod systems are more expensive, the parts are extremely durable and can withstand days of high-rpm thrashings without complaint. The idea is to build the engine once and then enjoy it for years.

This happens to be a Lunati rotator package that we have beating on now for more than a ye

Rotator Packages
For those car crafters who prefer to build their own engine, the quickest path to making power is with a complete rotator package. The most common rotator packages include the crank, rods, pistons, and the rings and bearings. Often, you can also purchase these systems balanced and ready to install. The most important reason to buy a rotator system is because the manufacturer combines the right parts that can be easily balanced. The danger of piecing together a crank, rod, and piston combination is that you must pay strict attention to bob weights. If you end up with a heavy piston, balancing can become extremely expensive since Mallory (heavy) metal has skyrocketed in price lately. The smart move is to carefully lay out your plans for that 383 engine and do your homework before buying anything. Check the prices and go with a system that is designed to work together, and you will avoid many of the classic engine builder blunders.

The great thing about the small-block Chevy is that the volume of parts being produced is so great that manufacturers can offer excellent deals on brand-new parts that make it silly to dig up used parts to build a 383. For the budget-conscious builder, the hot ticket is to go with a cast nodular iron crank, stock-style 5.7 rods, and cast or hypereutectic pistons. Scat offers its Series 9000 rotating assembly, which uses a cast crank, cast pistons, and I-beam rods for less than $500. That's an amazing price for new parts. The Scat rods are replacement-style I-beams made from 4340 steel and fitted with ARP bolts. It's only slightly less expensive to rebuild stock rods compared with what these babies cost, and the stock rods are not nearly as strong. There are several other companies, such as Competition Products, that offer similar kits-so do a little shopping to see what's out there.

For those who are looking to work their 383 a little harder, you might want to step up the quality a little. Eagle offers a cast crank kit for a two-piece rear main seal 383 that is externally balanced and uses Eagle I-beam 5140 steel rods, hypereutectic pistons, rings, and bearings. This kit also comes with a Pioneer balancer and flexplate. If engine speed above 6,200 rpm is what you dream about at night, then stepping up to a 4340 steel crank and good forged pistons is the only way to go. Crower has created the Enduro kit that lists an American-made 4340 steel crankshaft with Sportsman 4340 steel I-beam rods, along with your choice of forged piston. The kit rounds out with rings and bearings, and while the price is steeper, you're getting a package that could live a long time spinning to a 6,800-rpm shift point

The advantage of working with an extremely popular engine package is that you have lots of choices. We've already made our decision. Now all we have to do is save our lunch money for the next two years and that Crower package is all ours!

Mild To Wild Engine Combos
The following is a quick overview of three different engine combinations, all displacing 383 ci with a 5.7-inch-long rod and 23-degree small-block heads. But that's where the similarities end. If you take a look at the three power curves, you'll notice that as the camshaft duration becomes longer, the torque peak moves higher in the rpm scale. The mild engine's peak torque occurs at 3,500 rpm, while the middle engine bumps that up to 5,500 rpm. The wild engine actually lowers the peak torque a little with its better cylinder heads, but you can see how the cam duration slides both the peak torque and peak horsepower up the rpm scale. Also note how the 571hp engine is down 50 lb-ft at 2,500 compared with the mild engine.

By Jeff "Smith,"

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