I have spent a couple years meticulously assembling my 383:

1997 4-bolt GM OE roller block, hard blok filled (street fill), zero decked, torque plate honed, line honed, ARP main and head studs, smoothed oil return areas and oiling system smoothed
SRP pistons, file fit gapless rings
Scat steel crank, Clevite race bearings, Scat 6" rods w/7/16" capscrews
hand fitted scraper, diamond stripper windage screen
Melling select oil pump, bolt-on pickup
Milodon oil pan (powder coated)
Iskenderian O.E. roller cam, GM roller lifters, Comp Cams "hi tech" pushrods, Cloyes 2-pc cast aluminum timing cover and hex-adjust timing set (and cam degreed in).
AFR 195cc heads (clear powder coated), Fel-Pro MLS gaskets
1.6:1 Comp Cams Magnum steel full roller rocker arms, Comp Cams rocker stud girdle
Edelbrock RPM Air-Gap intake manifold, Edelbrock aluminum water pump, Hooker 1-3/4" x 3" headers, ATI SFI flexplate, etc etc etc

Basically, a street engine, I went with the best of everything except maybe an aftermarket block. I have over $7000 invested and hand-fit everything together and took care of mistakes from several highly respected manufacturers- it's ready to go.

The deal is, I've done all this and am thinking about selling the engine to go with a ZZ502. The engine I have built will easily produce the same power (a minimum of 500hp and is certainly nitrous-ready for at least another 150hp).

Am I insane for considering this?

My motives are this: The 502 would potentially be more street-friendly and more durable. I have always loved big blocks and miss the 454 I had in my El Camino that I sold 10 years ago. My car is built well enough for either easily- welded frame connectors, TH400, Moser 9", etc.

Anyone want a well prepared 383 for $5000 or so, never fired, never installed? Should I just shut up and put it in?

I have over $7000 invested and hand-fit everything together and took care of mistakes from several highly respected manufacturers- ?


ah cmon.....that never happens :):):)

run what you built!

I have spent a couple years meticulously assembling my 383.

Reward yourself for all that hard work by using what you built!

Should I just shut up and put it in?

That's a question for the wife...

Reward yourself for all that hard work by using what you built!
agreed


That's a question for the wife...
You just know what she will say.....
>Put that thing away befor ya put an eye out<

That's a question for the wife...

hehehe, she said she wouldn't divorce me (or tell me to make plans to move into it) if I changed direction, but she was also smart enough to not ask how much extra I'd have to spend. I have an awesome wife!

Here's what the 383 looks like:

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f382/78LT383/Powertrain/Engine%20build/Ready_to_install.jpg

keep that 383, looks like a sweet lil motor!

1. You will probably loose a lot of money trying to sell your 383. Most people don't trust other peoples build ups and try to beat you up on price.

2. The easy answer would be 502 but a 383 with AFR heads is gonna be a good piece.

I am building a BB and I think it is the best choice for power and streetability but it looks like you have a good engine. I'd offer the 383 for sale and see what happens but I wouldn't make any rash decisions.

while bbc's are cool you have put your hard work as well as im sure blood sweat and beers into that 383 i would run what you built and enjoy the hard work paying off, im in for the same thing with my 78 that im starting on

That's all very true guys. Lots of hours, frustration, phone calls, blood, sweat, tears, grey hair (and manually extracted hair), etc went into it. I have all the receipts of course but like you say them plus $2 will get you a coffee at McDonalds.

I'm tempted to put this engine in my C3 (the only other car I own besides my Cavalier DD) but I'm fairly happy with the 409 SBC in it.

I'd use the 383 you built in your current car and buy a ZZ502 for your next car! Hows that sound! :bowtie:

Ug, don't say that! This Camaro is the one that has the emotional attachment, the next car won't. This was the car my dad and I restored together 20 years ago. No other car will mean as much to me. I wouldn't trade it for both a brand new Z06 and a '63 split window 'vette if they were offered to me. It just means too much to me.

That's some of what prompted me to consider it. If I was to put the best engine I would ever have into something, it would be THIS car. I figure with the politics going on these days, where I am in my life, etc. if I'm gonna do something like a to-the-hilt BBC this is the time. If not, the 383 is nothing shabby, and will be a boatload (OK, a carload) of fun. There's just nothing like a big 'old Rat when you open the hood or the throttle, however a good smallblock can make a Camaro into a wicked street machine.

I could still go either way, but the sensible thing to do is as most of you have suggested- go with what I already have- it'll run very well, and it's paid for.

the 383 is already built and has 500 horsepower. The small block weighs less and will be a easy bolt in. If you sell it you will loose a bunch of money. The 502 is a great motor but not worth what it will cost to build and then the loss of money on the small block. As well as all the extras needed to install into your car.

Mike

run it till it pukes,, then do a bbc.
andy

^+1

And take it from me, you're still not and won't be done putting money into that engine till it is...in your car..$$ running the way you want it..$$ a month or so later more fine tuning stuff..$$$, unexpected something not working like it should..$$ You have a ways to go yet till you know the TOTAL cost of the 383 being done.

To try and sell it now would be a HUGE step backward, and a lot of $$$ AND TIME down the toilet. Keep it , put it in the car now don't wait anymore,and run that bitch...>>>>>>>>>>>Ken

And the key to being happy with these cars is to stop adding up dollars spent anyway. Think about it, I quit doing that 20 years ago.

Another one for the 383, you build it yourself now go start it up and enjoy it`s power ;) :p

LOL, this isn't my first rodeo either- I've done dozens of engines for myself and a few for others, so I know you are right. I've done a few big blocks too. Except for thier (BBC's) propensity for eating (flat tappet) camshafts I've had good luck with all of them, but like you said no matter what I would be taking a few steps backward financially and in terms of how long it would take to get back to burning rubber.

I guess you're right, I can always swap to a BB later if I decide "it must be done".

Who knows, the 383 just might scare the crap out of me anyway.

So, is it in the car yet?

+1 on the 383 or you can just give it to me -lol i put money on that you will love how the 383 runs plus you built it!!

So, is it in the car yet?

Ha! I wish!

Long version:
My family has re-prioritized our life for the moment, and we're not spending any money on anything except basic living expenses in order to get completely out of debt. We have paid off all credit cards and all of our cars, are paying off the second mortgage next month, leaving only college student loans and our mortgage. Once we have nothing left to pay off but the mortgage and some emergency cash saved, I can save up a bit of money to get the car painted (I was totally ripped off by the last guy I paid to do it, now I have to get it done all over again) and "it's on like donkey kong".

Car status:
The frame is ready, powder coated and sitting on one side of my garage, and the body is on the other. I've been slowly assembling the front suspension and need to get the springs installed now. I already have the engine, transmission, Moser 9", big disc brakes & hydraboost, A/C, radiator, fuel tank, etc ready to install. All front and rear suspension parts are on hand, as are the interior parts. The only body part I need is a new nose (my urethane nose crumbled when they tried to paint it, I need money to conquer any eBay bidders on the next NOS one that comes up- unless someone finally starts making reproduction noses.

Other than painting the body and sourcing that stupid nose piece, the only things I know I need to buy are a new windshield, wheels, tires, EFI, alignment, and maybe a new set of seats (optional). Later I can play with a stereo or something but of course I can do that when it's on the road. My house looks like an auto parts store with all the boxed up new and newly powder coated parts just waiting to be installed.