I have 1969 camaro, the motor in it now is an old and tired 350. I will be upgrading this fall. But i don't know if i should go with a 383 or my friend has a 396 already put together that he would like me to buy. I was all set on a 383 but when he approched me with his offer i don't know which way i should go, i was hoping to get enough feed back from all of you that might make my desicion easier. thank you

Bob

 

well, if they are both of the same quality parts, put together the same the 396 is gonna pull on the 383, but depending on your drive train the 383 may spin slightly faster.

 

The other thing to consider, is the extra weight the 396 will put on the front wheels, which may negate any increase in power generated by the big block motor.

 

I have always been a small block fan and would always go with a small block before a big block.. That is just me.. I like them :P

 

If you are going with a big block, make it a big one, 502 or bigger, otherwise stick with an enlarged small block, it will be cheaper, lighter, and make about the same power of a big block of the same displacement. The only exception would probably be the old 427 BB cofiguration which could rev sky high and have a healthy size.

 

This may be to late but, As for the big / small? It is a question of how you want to drive it. Do you see it as the trans am racer, or the drag strip car. I have a 74 with a 454,tons of power but it is no longer the sport car it was. It's now more of a drag car.

 

small blocks are cheaper to get parts for, there is not much displacement difference so I would deffinatly go with the 383. Good luck, keep us posted.