Yankeededandy

Hi guys

It's me again, the guy from Switzerland looking for some advice from you experts . The short version: I’m looking to buy a 383 Stroker engine for my small block 69. The (somewhat) long version:
The original L46 is long gone. In its place resides a Chevy block from ’77. Internal values are unknown. It has an Edelbrock performer manifold and 1406 carb, HEI distributor, stock exhaust manifolds running into 2.5” pipes with Glasspack mufflers. The transmission is a M21 with 3.70 gears (looks original). The engine is tired and burning huge amounts of oil. I’ve owned the car since 2010 and put almost 20’000 miles on it since I got it. In other words, it’s a true “driver”.
Since I’m an imbecile when it comes to mechanics and don’t have the space to really work on the car myself, I’m looking for an easy solution. I asked several specialists over here for their opinion on what do to do and got basically three answers:
1) Rebuild the engine with a stroker kit
2) Buy a Goodwrench 350 and have it balanced
3) Buy a complete 383 stroker engine
I’m leaning towards option 3). It would be nice to have a little more power and torque. I’m not looking for a race engine though. My priorities are:
- It must fit underneath the small block hood
- It must look like the L46 (or at least very close to it). E.g. the original finned valve covers should fit, I would love to use my ignition shield, etc.
- The characteristics should be old school if possible, i.e. I would love to have a high compression. Roller cams or other new technology thingys are not on my wish list
- Mileage is of (almost) no concern
- High octane fuel no problem
What would you guys recommend? Am I totally wrong with my thoughts on this?

Here are some pics of the car and the engine bay as it looks today:









Thanks a million and greetings from Switzerland

Martin

Scott Marzahl

Looks great. Being across the water will certainly add shipping expenses and you will want a turn key engine since parts and support can be hard at times overseas. The GM ZZ383 is a decent piece and maybe drop Mark an email at vortec.
www.vortecproperformance.com

LeMans Pete

I agree Yankee, I love the stock look. Essentially as long as you use a stock quadrajet (personally, I would buy a good 7029207 carburetor off ebay and ship it directly to Lars), you can use the stock air cleaner set up. This will allow you to use the stock valve covers w/ the PCV connection. Ignition shielding should all hook up fine since it is supported off the intake manifold bolts.

Note: you can get a good service replacement 7029207 for very cheap. Will you use a stock points distributor?

REELAV8R

Love the superconnie in the back ground of you pic. It looks like it was running too. Sweet airplane. Oh and very nice vette too.
I'd go with the crate 383 also. Get a gen two with roller cam and aluminum heads. Just need to decide who to buy it from.

HUSKEE73

Hello Martin, greetings to you in switzerland,beautiful country there,last time i visited went to Bern,very cool clock tower in town there.for your 383 motor idea,a lot of us have gone that way,good overall choice,there are plenty of turn key builders.look up Smeding Performance,they build quite a few different 383 engines that are all new,come with a three year warrantee,this may be a possible option for you.happy hunting.Ernie in nashville.

cv67

This is an excellent suggestion
Being where you are you cant afford to have an issue and send it back
Mark is a safe choice in my opiinion. Some roller tips will fit under the stock covers unless youre running a lot of spring full roller rockers are way overrated.

68post

If you're going for a mild engine and not using a manufacturer or "in stock only" crate engine , I'd ask about using a 400 block to rebuild into a custom crate engine instead of using a 350 block (383ci vs. 407ci ). The cost should be the same and the extra 24 cubes would be so much better IMHO. You can use the stock two bolt block with ARP studs,(or bolts ), & main caps either way , but I'd not use any factory heads unless they were at least vortecs.

I really appreciate the stock look in any brand , but looking stock and having nearly twice the power is sweet !

63mako

http://www.ultrastreet.net/engines/402_realstreet.php
Get the Weiand X-elerator intake at no upcharge.
And a spacer under your valvecovers.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/st...make/chevrolet
Paint it orange. Might be more than you want to spend but it will look like it should. Forged, Roller and double your power.
ZZ383 and vortec have centerbolt valvecovers.

68post

Port the Dart iron heads, higher compression & E85.
The Weiand is a great intake - but won't look stock.

garygnu

great photos ! if you can find a good engine machine shop locally ,get a good rotating assembly and do it locally.or competition products sell some good 383 short blocks.you can grind off the letters on a elderbrock rpm intake ,and it mite pass for stock.pick the correct cam after you have figured out your static compression ratio .the comp cam ex268h cam works great for most mild sbc builds ,great torque .

Yankeededandy

Thank you for the feedback, guys.

I googled Vortecpro and visited the site. It sure won't hurt to contact him. I'm still a little bit worried about being able to keep the (relative) stock look going that route. I’m of course also intrigued by the idea of using a 400 block but I would deviate from my principles.
On a side note: I will be visiting Kissimmee in January. Would that be an opportunity to purchase something “on site”? At least it would be a chance to look the seller into the eye before pulling the trigger.
I’m pretty excited about shopping for an engine.

Martin

cv67

Marks done builds like yours before with BBC and made them look factory stock. Tell him exactly what you want and youll get just that. He puts a ton of care into each build probably get more power than you bargained for, too. Great stand up guy to deal with, good service after he has your money too that counts for something.

Porting etc are internal mods that are never visible to the eye same wiht porting an intake.

Yankeededandy

Can it be that Mark is as old school as his engines?. I would have liked to send him an Email before I call him. But there's only a phone number on his webpage.

Martin

TedH

If I ever go the 383 route, I'll buy a short block and choose my top-end pieces from the aftermarket. I want more control over the selection than what is offered. Mine will be a somewhat 'mild' 383 though as it will never be drag raced.

Externally, there is no difference in appearance between a 350 and 383 (gen 1 or gen II). However, you may have to increase the height of your air cleaner and use a larger carb to feed the 383. I'd go with the correct q-jet as that 1406 will not flow enough air. Even your 350 would like a taller air cleaner and q-jet. That way, you can use OEM-style air cleaner/filter, q-jet and your choice of either performer 2101 or 3701 intake and fit it all under the stock hood.

This is what I'll be buying if I ever have to consider reworking my short block (for 80-85 passenger dipstick). Good price too.

http://www.competitionproducts.com/C...info/SB383-PF/

Yankeededandy

Ted,

If I knew what I was doing, choosing and assembling the best parts would be my way as well. Since I'm a complete dork when it comes to mechanics, I have to rely on someone to do it for me. That's why I'm seeking a supplier for a complete engine.
Vortecpro so far is at the top of my list but I haven't talked to them yet.

Thanks

Martin

TedH

I agree. If I were you, I'd target 400-450hp and equivalent torque with roller cam. You will get greater performance with better manners with a roller valvetrain.

Yankeededandy

Update:

I talked to Mark (Vortecpro) this week and discussed my options. It sounds almost too good to be true. A 383 making up to 400 hp, still looking like a L-46 from the outside, including valvecovers, intake, carb etc. He recommended using a MSD tach drive Distributor which would allow me to use the ignition shield again.

Sounds very tempting. I'm having sleepless nights if I should just go for it.

Martin

1974ta

Is that the HP to the rear wheels? That would be really sweet! I too have an L46. Does that build reuse the original cast iron intake?

I have read somewhere that just installing new heads on an otherwise stock L46 with headers will get you 400+ hp at the flywheel. The bottom end of an L46 has the good stuff.

Now 400 hp to the wheels is another story.

I am watching the thread with great interest.

Bill

cardo0

Im sure you have GM dealers over there near you. Try and see if they will sell a GM stroker crate motor without shipping or at least reduced shipping. I believe Belgiumvette got burned try to have a 400 block shipped to him and too easy for someone to rip you off with little recourse for you.
Nothing wrong with a ZZ383 or even a ZZ385. You can always paint it whatever color you want and use a GM intake. Think warranty and maybe even have the local GM dealer install it also.

cardo0

Yankeededandy

Hi Cardo0

You're right and wrong - there is a GM Network in Europe and of course in Switzerland. Unfortunately, the availability of replacement engines (and parts!) is pretty limited. If it's not a regular Service part, they always have to order it from the US. I've driven 2 Tahoes (bought brand new) which were officially sold at the time through GM Dealers - they didn't even have a water pump in stock.
I'm aware of the risk I'm taking by buying directly from a US supplier and I'm willing to take it. Believe me, I've been burned before and still I prefer to deal directly with sellers. On a side note: The funny thing is, I think there are more sellers in the US reluctant about dealing with Europeans than customers worrying about warranty .
I found the pragmatic approach the best: Talk, ask questions and LISTEN before you buy. The rest is what I call a calculated risk.
Considering this, Vortecpro has left a very positive impression. If anybody should have negative experiences, I would appreciate a personal message (don't want to unecessarily damage somebody's reputation in a public forum)

Thanks,
Martin