Engine Builder????

NOS6SPEED · 01-17-2002, 05:56 PM

I'm going to have my engine rebuilt. I think it will be a 383, maybe more. Does anyone know an engine builder with a good reputation within a couple hours of the Fayetteville Arkansas area. I'd prefer to just drop the car off, but if necessary I can have the engine pulled and drop off the engine. Also what advice would those of you that have gone through this already give me. Should I go 396, 400 small block, 355 or what? I run a small shot of nitrous (50hp) right now but I'll build it for either a bigger shot or a supercharger. The car is not a daily driver, but I want to be able to drive it on the street. Would a solid roller setup be worth it, I'd like to do this once and be satisfied with the power. What kind of numbers would I be able to expect. The car has a More Performance top end kit now. I hope to be able to tell a significant difference. Thanks in advance for the help.
Josh

drive it · 01-18-2002, 12:05 AM

I have to suggest-go with the cube inches! Get the 400-bored over it's a 406. Find a good 400 block (no core shift/cracks) and put on splayed 4 bolt billet main caps, a forged crank and the bottom will hold together for about anything. For high lift a roller is a must-don't know about solid though. Why not build it yourself?! Just find a reputable machine shop and bolt it together on an engine stand. I've done it; ain't that hard and it's an excuse to buy more tools!!! Then you can say it's "home built-more power-argh argh argh!" :cheers:

ol,RJ · 01-19-2002, 04:31 AM

solid rollers do need adjustment every 5000miles (approx), if thats not for you then go with a hyd roller.
if your going solid roller then build the motor for it ( ie; forged pistons ect )
you can use restictors in the lifter galleys then too (solid cams don't need as much oil volume). so make sure to tell the shop doing the work what your going to be running cam wise.
is it worth it? well maybe not, they do make some pretty aggressive hyd cams nowadays but if you want to rev the engine over 6000rpm on a regular basis then solid is safest.

NOS6SPEED · 01-21-2002, 07:23 PM

Thanks. I'm thinking a solid roller 396 at this point. I'd love to go bigger, but I've been told the opti won't fit on a 400 and I'd have to scrap the ignition and computer system. That gets into a lot of money I'd guess.