omenzoso

I have a 1986 K20, with a 350. I'm going out of town for a little while and when I get back I want to put a new engine in my truck and give it a little bit more power. I was thinking about a 383 Stroker, but I'm getting some info that I should maybe look into a Small Block 400. If you have any ideas, that would be wondeful. Thanks

kcb37

A 383 stroker is a 350 bored and stroked. What do you use it for? I understand why you would want more power but do you need it?
You may be better off with keeping your 350. I had a 83 with a 305 4 barrle that I used to pull a car trailer, it did fine, laged a little going uphill on the highway, (I didn't try to kill it though).

omenzoso

I want it to be able to tow my camaro around, and I also want to be able to go 4 wheeling and what not. I also was looking into a 454. Rebuilding my current 350 would be cheap and probably be a sense-able idea but being able to pull up to a crowd and having a Stroker or big block cruise around would be sweet. All in all I just really want to be able to pull up to another truck and have no problem out powering them.

kcb37

A 383 stroker should do good, but like you said a 400 will have a little more power. I have a 96 with a 350 that I use to pull a 49 1/2 ton Ford and a 68 1/2 ton Dodge. The only problem I have is it works a little harder then I would like on big hills on the highway, other than that it pulls them both just fine. On a full size car trailer. The 383 will give you a little bit better gas mileage too.

omenzoso

Yeah I think a 383 will be practical, plus it will have that mean "get out of my way" sound. Plus I can make a good 383 for around three grand. We will have to see. Thanks for all the help, if you have any other ideas, they would be more then appreciated.

kcb37

I think I may get a stroker kit for my 96 so I have some more power towing. It will sound mean too!

carpenterbill

Make sure you use the 6.0" rods if you build one, less were on the trust side of bore=longer engine life.
The 383 has an advantage over a 400 in that there is a water passage inbetween the inboard 2 cylinders on the 350 blocks, when they made the 400 they had to siamese those cylinders to get the bore that large witch can make hot spots in those cylinders.

omenzoso

Thanks, I think I'm going with the 383, I was suggested the 400 and I heard that it gets hot. Thanks