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LS1 block - 346 vs 383

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Old 03-19-2020, 05:57 PM
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Doing a 383 vs a 346 the difference in cost is often amounts to the cost of the aftermarket crank since either engine will get new rods & new pistons. Is it worth roughly ~$750 to $850 to gain ~37 cubic inches and ~ 40 rear wheel torque?

If it's a fun driver NA car I think so. If it's a car one wants to run a serious power added on like a big shot of NOS or boost, I'd say not worth the cost. The $800 or so dollars are better spent elsewhere.

Out of the six or so different LS set ups I've had my mild mannered LS1 383 NA stroker motor is my favorite BUT its in a driver/street car and the extra low end makes for a very easy to drive fun car. A lot of folks would say my LS1 383 & 416 are both perfect tow truck motor due to the fat bottom end at low rpm. If you like old Pontiac 400's with fat bottom ends you'll appreciate the stroker in my opinion. If big boost or big shots of NOS or buzzing o 7,500 rpm is your desire probably best to pass on the 4 inch crank strokers.

LS1 383 strokers are typically worth 0 to 5 whp & 30 to 40 wtq over the same top end on a otherwise similar LS1 346/347 based on my observations over the last 20 years.


Old 03-19-2020, 05:59 PM
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I enjoyed my 383....but that said if your goal is to get the blower on it, it seems like that money is better spent savings towards the long term goal.
Old 03-19-2020, 07:15 PM
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Originally Posted by ddnspider
I enjoyed my 383....but that said if your goal is to get the blower on it, it seems like that money is better spent savings towards the long term goal.
We are talking way long term goal... like 5 years. $800 is a good deal for 5yrs or more fun driving.
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Old 03-19-2020, 10:25 PM
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Originally Posted by Summitracing
They've been getting excellent reviews and we put a ton of design time into the Pro LS Rotating Assembly components. American made and the best bang for the buck out there. Very full featured.
is balancing offered?
Old 03-20-2020, 11:12 AM
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Hi there, balanced isn't available yet but we're working on that. The crank and rods are forged in China and finished in the US. These are of the highest quality available out of China and the same ones used by the premium crank/rod brands. The Rods receive genuine ARP bolts here in the USA before the big and small ends are finished honed and further finish work and inspection done. The Pistons are 100% forged and machined in the USA and same for the rings. You will be pleased with them.
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Old 03-20-2020, 11:16 AM
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Originally Posted by Summitracing
Hi there, balanced isn't available yet but we're working on that. The crank and rods are forged in China and finished in the US. These are of the highest quality available out of China and the same ones used by the premium crank/rod brands. The Rods receive genuine ARP bolts here in the USA before the big and small ends are finished honed and further finish work and inspection done. The Pistons are 100% forged and machined in the USA and same for the rings. You will be pleased with them.
Do you have any estimate on the price of the balancing? I won't be ready to buy until August or September.
Old 03-20-2020, 02:15 PM
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Originally Posted by FCar2000TA
Do you have any estimate on the price of the balancing? I won't be ready to buy until August or September.
Balancing is usually around $200 but varies by region. Our cranks don’t often require additional heavy metal so that saves a lot.
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Old 03-20-2020, 03:06 PM
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Originally Posted by Summitracing
Balancing is usually around $200 but varies by region. Our cranks don’t often require additional heavy metal so that saves a lot.
Thanks. Hopefully it will be an option in the next few months.
Old 03-26-2020, 11:16 AM
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Originally Posted by Summitracing
Balancing is usually around $200 but varies by region. Our cranks don’t often require additional heavy metal so that saves a lot.
Are the Summit crankshafts rough balanced? What is the bob weight?
Old 03-27-2020, 12:45 PM
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Originally Posted by FCar2000TA
Are the Summit crankshafts rough balanced? What is the bob weight?
Hello, 1800 Grams on the rough balance. Almost always a drill job unless it's a big bore dome piston.
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Old 03-27-2020, 12:58 PM
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Just made 920 wheel on my summit pistons and rods on my aluminum 5.3. Going to turn it UP Once my injectors and converter get here
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Old 03-27-2020, 02:01 PM
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TSP and Thompson sell balanced rotating assemblies.

There are others who aren't sponsors. But you can just search for balanced 4" stroke LS rotating assemblies, and you'll get a selection.

If however, you are using a local machine shop to prep the block, they can balance the rotating assembly as well. So, not really needed unless you're buying a block ready to go.

ATK for example has 5.3L blocks that are bored to 3.903" and ready to use. They are iron blocks.

That's if you were going to assemble yourself and not use a machine shop at all. It is a good way to lower the price, but only if you know what you're doing and have access to the proper tools.

Also, there's usually a 408 or 383 or forged 346 or 6L or something like that in the classifieds. Scope that out for a few weeks and you can usually score a pretty good deal.
Old 03-27-2020, 02:05 PM
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I went from an ls2 6.0 with milled ls3 heads, ported ls3 intake, custom grind cam that made 455 rwhp, to a 416 with stock ls6 heads, victor jr intake and went from 455/425 to 505/490. Not apples to apples changing the intake etc but that 416 was a whole new beast compared to the 6.0
Old 03-29-2020, 06:08 PM
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Originally Posted by JakeFusion
TSP and Thompson sell balanced rotating assemblies.

There are others who aren't sponsors. But you can just search for balanced 4" stroke LS rotating assemblies, and you'll get a selection.

If however, you are using a local machine shop to prep the block, they can balance the rotating assembly as well. So, not really needed unless you're buying a block ready to go.

ATK for example has 5.3L blocks that are bored to 3.903" and ready to use. They are iron blocks.

That's if you were going to assemble yourself and not use a machine shop at all. It is a good way to lower the price, but only if you know what you're doing and have access to the proper tools.

Also, there's usually a 408 or 383 or forged 346 or 6L or something like that in the classifieds. Scope that out for a few weeks and you can usually score a pretty good deal.
I am just going to keep my LS1 block. It only has 65K miles, so I am going to have it prepped locally. I am hoping that it will not need the deck shaved, since it only has 65K miles, and never got hot.
Old 04-25-2020, 11:55 PM
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So.... after talking with some machine shops about the price to bore and prep my block... I am canning the 383 idea. So, MMS 220's, Mamo'd LSXR 102, and Mamo cam are going on my 60kish LS1. Maybe this Fall.
Old 04-26-2020, 12:47 AM
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Originally Posted by FCar2000TA
So.... after talking with some machine shops about the price to bore and prep my block... I am canning the 383 idea. So, MMS 220's, Mamo'd LSXR 102, and Mamo cam are going on my 60kish LS1. Maybe this Fall.
Definitely understand if you decided you want to go in a different direction than stroker. My experience is what the machine shops are saying is inaccurate about building a forged 383 va a forged 347. Do you feel confident in those machine shops?

The cost to prep my LS1 block to build as a 347 or 383 was the same. Doing a forged 347 vs 383 the only cost difference was in the 4 inch crank vs using stock crank and the balancing.

Texas Speed & Performance website shows the cost difference basically as the crank.




Last edited by 99 Black Bird T/A; 04-26-2020 at 02:42 AM.
Old 04-26-2020, 12:55 AM
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I wasn't expecting $1000 to prep the block.
Old 04-26-2020, 07:47 AM
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Originally Posted by FCar2000TA
I wasn't expecting $1000 to prep the block.
What are you getting specifically for $1000?

It shouldn’t cost that much. If there isn’t anything wrong with the block, you should only need the cylinders honed and maybe stroker clearancing the bottom of the cylinders.
Old 04-26-2020, 01:58 PM
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Bore to and hone with pressure plate to final bore of 3.903”
Mill block deck flatness (this might not be needed since the block only has 60k)
Clearance block for 4” crank
Replace freeze plugs
Replace cam bearings
Balance the rotating assembly
File fit piston rings
Install the rotating assembly
Old 05-18-2020, 08:14 AM
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Originally Posted by FCar2000TA
Bore to and hone with pressure plate to final bore of 3.903”
Mill block deck flatness (this might not be needed since the block only has 60k)
Clearance block for 4” crank
Replace freeze plugs
Replace cam bearings
Balance the rotating assembly
File fit piston rings
Install the rotating assembly
$1000 to prep block, balance and assemble does not seem out of line to me, especially if the shop has a good reputation.


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