LT1-LT4 Modifications 1993-97 Gen II Small Block V8

383 or 396?

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Old Dec 4, 2005 | 01:20 PM
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I was wondering i've heard 383 is better, then i've heard 396 is better. I'm just courious which is best way to make alot of horsepower just on motor alone. I'm personally going with a 396 in my application, just wondering what everyone else thinks on this.
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Old Dec 4, 2005 | 01:28 PM
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if you want the ability to make more torque then go with the 396.....( all depends on your combo) I have a 383 and I love it...I also wouldn't mind some more cubes!!!!!
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Old Dec 4, 2005 | 01:43 PM
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i bought a block already bored for a 396 but its been bored 45 over so its a 397 now with 45 over piston all forged. trick flow heads sent to loyd elliott and LT4 intake sent to him aswell. The valve size is 2.08, 1.625 valves with custom cam and 12.1 compression ratio. Cam supposed to be in the 240's at .050 with 600 lift.
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Old Dec 4, 2005 | 04:18 PM
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Well I don't think you're gonna feel the torque difference on your *** between a 383 and a 396 but there's always the saying "There's no replacement for displaement." Sounds like you got a bitchin' setup going, should be good for some quick times.
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Old Dec 4, 2005 | 05:56 PM
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thanx dude, i go by this saying to Bigger is Better lol.
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Old Dec 4, 2005 | 10:16 PM
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94z396 Looks like we will be building about the same combination motor. I currently have my trick flow heads and lt4 intake with lloyd and am also building a 396 .040 over. Where did you get the pistons for the .045 bore. I had a hell of time finding some for a .040 and they were .012 short on the c.h. Who is grinding your cam for you?
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Old Dec 4, 2005 | 11:40 PM
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well i bought lt4 block that was already been bored 40 over but it had some places in one of the cylinder walls so the guy i bought it off of at more performance in charlotte north carolina had to bored it 15 more to clean it up. I think they custom ordered them form JE. Its costing me like 600 dollars but its what i got to have for my application. Loyd Elliot is doing the custom grind on the cam.
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Old Dec 4, 2005 | 11:46 PM
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depends on ur setup...
for example if you were to go with FI, a bigger bore is not ideal because it raises the risk of detenation. Everything needs to work and flow together!
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Old Dec 5, 2005 | 01:57 AM
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Both strokers share the same bore size of 4.03", differece being in the stroke 3.75" and 3.875". An advantage for the 383 is the vast availability of shelve parts where as a 396 will need custom parts for specific applications.
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Old Dec 5, 2005 | 12:11 PM
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yea i know all about the custom parts. Got custom 45 over pistons and custom heads and lt4 intake to match.
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Old Dec 5, 2005 | 01:53 PM
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Hey modracr62 i was just wondering how much horsepower you planning to put down on motor? And are you planning on running a power adder later on?
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Old Dec 7, 2005 | 08:04 PM
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Originally Posted by 94Z396
I was wondering i've heard 383 is better, then i've heard 396 is better. I'm just courious which is best way to make alot of horsepower just on motor alone. I'm personally going with a 396 in my application, just wondering what everyone else thinks on this.
go with the 396 just look at my sig. i love it and want go anyother way if i had it to do again......
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Old Dec 7, 2005 | 08:39 PM
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While saying that you have a 396 may sound better than a 383, for most setups, the 383 just makes more sense. It's cheaper, arguably more reliable, basically makes the same power, better rod geometry, and probably more reliable long-term. Not really much incentive for a 396 unless you just want the name.
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Old Dec 7, 2005 | 09:42 PM
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On my setup, i just wanted a bad *** motor and i found a deal on a block that was already bored for 396 but had scratches in one of the cylinder walls so it was bored like 15 more over to clean it up so i order my custom 45 over pistons cubic inches went up alittle bit to like 398. The heads i got coming for it are custom from Loyd Elliott. Bare Trick Flow casting that he's working, the valves are 2.08, 1.625 valves. With LT4 intake machined to match the intake runners on the heads. Custom Cam roughly in the 240's at .050 with 600 lift. All forged bottom end 4 bolt main. My worries later on the 4L60E busting thats got $1200's in a rebuild, and the 10 bolt breaking. But i have a TH400 i got to build and mostly likely looking to buy a Moser 12 Bolt sometime in the near future.
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Old Dec 9, 2005 | 09:19 AM
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I am doing a 383 over a 396 so that a minimal amount of machining is required. I figure this will help the engine life. The engine will supposedly have over 500 hp and 500 lb ft of torque without N02 anyways. I will be more than satisfied with a 383 since the power will be decent. Everything should be done by spring.
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Old Dec 9, 2005 | 03:16 PM
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where are you guys getting your rotating kits for a 396 at?
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Old Dec 9, 2005 | 04:17 PM
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Check out CombintationMotorSports.com thats were i found everything to build a 396 all forged and everything. I'm sure theres alot more places were you can get the stuff but from what i've seen there prices beat everyone elses so far.
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