whoa. Why does it have to be a 383? I'm not trying to sway you from your goals, but if your trying to build a strong running motor and you are on a budget a 355 "in most cases" is going to be easier and cheaper to build. I agree with everyone that heads and cam are going to run you a lot more than 800. If i were you i would look into everything that goes into a build, like all misc. pieces like gaskets, oil pump, rockers, PR, etc. Because the little things add up to as much as the machine work, heads and cam cost etc.. that is assuming you do everything right the first time. Then if you realize what your looking at spending and work you have to put in to it and you are fine with it.. then go ahead and take on the build.