hey i just bought a 1973 chevy nova ss 350 and i am looking to build it up, i wanna stroke it to a 383, i am trying to decided what parts i wanna use in the engine, maybe buy a kit or buy all the parts seperat, i wanna push about 500hp, 550tq any suggestions

Make sure you have 4 bolt mains. If not everything else could be redundant as the bottom end of the block could break out under stress.

Most times is cheaper to buy a kit.

also u may think about making it a roller motor, if u want horsepower.:grinyes:

Anything that reduces friction will help including synthetic motor oils. That is what NASCAR uses.

Not only are kits PERHAPS a little "cheaper", they're "sorted out", making sure all the stuff is compatible. For the level of power you're looking for, DO NOT use one of the kits with a cast crank in it. A forged crank is the only way it will "live".

500 HP is fairly easy. 550 lb. ft. is another matter with any small block. 450 is more reasonable. It will require some very good cylinder heads and induction system. We built a 500 HP 383 for a customer in Holland last year. It made 445 lb. ft. (93 octane) Dart Pro-1 heads, Edelbrock Performer RPM "Air Gap", Comp XE274H cam (I have a better suggestion), AED Holley 750HO, Eagle rotating kit (forged crank, 6" rods), no cheap stuff. They're officially "afraid" of the car (Cobra "kit").

Jim