Best 383 Stroker Crate Engine – Reviews & Buying Guide 2024

Whether you’re looking to remodel a classic muscle car or upgrade a recent purchase, a 383 stroker crate engine will help you swap in a powerful replacement. The engine utilizes altered crankshaft to generate serious torque from a relatively compact block. It is a more robust solution than the standard 350 stoker crate engines and has earned much popularity for its stunning performance.

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The Best 383 Stroker Crate Engine

Stroker engines are primarily designed to improve the original factory stroke size of your vehicle. Integrating one into your car can completely change the way the engine burns fuel. A 383 stroker crate engine can draw up to 383 cubic inches of fuel in one cycle, making it an industry leader. We have prepared a comprehensive guide to help you choose the best 383 stroker crate engines in the market.

1. Chevrolet Performance SP383 Crate Engine

Chevrolet often referred to as Chevy, is a leading auto motors company headquartered in the USA. The Chevrolet Performance SP383 crate engine is one of the most popular offerings made by the company.

Its 3.800-inch stroke is combined with 4.000-inch bores to help your vehicle generate incredible low end pulling power while delivering high revolutions per minute. The result is an exceptional 435 horsepower and 445 lb-ft of torque. Such performance is sure to keep you and your car satisfied for years on end.

The Chevrolet Performance SP383 is one of the best crate engines, offered directly by the mother company. So, you can rely on the product despite the few ratings on Amazon.

Major Features: 

What We Liked About It: 

We have tried and tested this crate engine to see what the hype was about. And we were surprised to see that in some cases, the numbers were even higher than advertised. With a flat torque curve and a high peak torque, it definitely exceeded our expectations.

A Note to the Enthusiasts:

The robust product is made of an aggressive hydraulic roller that can support high-flow while generating high horsepower. We would quickly grade this Chevy crate engine an A.

2. Chevrolet All Iron Stroker Crate Engine 

An excellent upgrade to the classic Chevy 350 small block engine, this new All Iron offering by Chevrolet has already won the hearts of thousands for its heavy-duty performance.

The stroker crate engine optimizes the GM 4-bolt main block. It is equipped with a 3.780 stroke crankshaft and a ground camshaft that encourages the engine to generate extreme low-end torque. There is also a highly efficient flat top piston.

We were genuinely impressed by the fully adjustable timer for the camshaft. It offers a double-roller timing setup that works best for your convenience. You will find a pair of world-class iron cylinders covered by stainless steel valves. The engine also features a dual-plane intake, which makes it stand out in the crowd.

Major Features: 

3. Blueprint SBC 383 Stroker Crate Engine Base Model 

Crafted with new BluPrint cast steel crankshaft, the SBC 383 Stroker Crate Engine Base Model is among the best 383 crate engines in the market. With a compression ratio of 10:1, you can expect high performance for years. The product is drilled and tapped to help clutch linkage, making it very easy to install.

The stroker crate engine accommodates a 64 cc chamber featuring BluePrint aluminum cylinder heads. It has an ignition timing of 34 degrees total at 3500 RPM. We should warn you that this bad boy can cause tire burns every once in a while.

As you unbox the product, you will find brass freeze plugs. You will also receive Dyno test results shipped with the engine.

Major Features: 

What We Liked About It: 

As we review products, we always consider the value for money. Once we’ve dialed it in, the stroker crate engine immediately proved to be the right choice. Made with handpicked seasoned block, it offers terrific mileage. It ran around 2000 RPM at 80 MPH, so we have no complaints whatsoever. The manufacturer offers a 30-month warranty on 50,000 miles.

A Note to the Enthusiasts:

We recommend the engine on Pre 1985, or Vortec pattern intake. It will deliver the best results with initial timing between 10 to 16°. Our market reviewer team has graded this product a B+.

4. Blueprint SBC 383 Stroker Crate Engine Dressed Model 

You can quickly revitalize your classic car with this BluePrint SBC 383 Stroker Crate Engine Dressed Model. You can pick it up as a deluxe package with a robust intake manifold. Rest assured, it offers reliable power for your money.

Its 430 horsepower coupled with 450 ft-lbs torque is very hard to beat. With aluminum heads and hydraulic roller cam, the 383 stroker engine stands among the industry’s top tier products.

The package includes an aluminum intake manifold and a highly efficient EFI system. It is dyno tested, and you will receive the results along with the box.

Major Features: 

What We Liked About It: 

We have swapped this fast BluePrint engine into an older Civics, and the results blew our mind. The performance is just as well as they advertise, if not better. We have also found confidence in the manufacturer’s warranty of two and a half years.

A Note to the Enthusiasts:

The engine is widely compatible, yet it is recommended to use a stall converter of 2000 to 2400 rpm. It works best if you can incorporate a dual plane or satin aluminum intake manifold with this engine. The recommended fuel is 91 octane. We would grade the product a B.

5. Blueprint Chevy 383 Base Engine 

Blueprint builds premium quality Chevy stroker crate engines. Now, if you’re building an engine from scratch, we’d suggest you opt for a base by BluePrint. They come fully equipped and are relatively easy to install. You will receive their dyno test results upon purchase, which makes them all the more reliable.

The base engine is built to deliver industry-standard 430 horsepower and 450 ft-lbs torque. Its supercharged 64 cc chamber features 2.02” intake and 1.60” exhaust valves. Moreover, it has a 195cc intake runner coupled with a 75cc exhaust runner. The efficient roller cam features 221 intake/ 226 exhaust duration.

Major Features: 

What We Liked About It: 

Like the other BluePrint engines on our list, this stroker crate engine has impressed us with its building quality and powerful functionalities. It has been standardized to replace an old machine or build one from the ground up.

A Note to the Enthusiasts: The product is the ultimate base for your engine. It is dyno tested and will deliver excellent value for your money. However, you should note that it is not compatible with any applications that require EGR. Avoid incorporating bronze distributor gears with the engine as well. This stoker crate engine received a B grade from our team.

Things to Consider Before Buying a 383 Stroker Crate Engine 

• Stroke Stuffing

Stroke connects the rod length and block deck height of a crate engine. They fall among the set of variables that engineers tweak during production. A 265 ci engineer usually comes with a 3.00-inch stroke, while a 400 stroke crater engine is equipped with a 3.75-inch stroke. The original 383 engines were built with 5.565-inch strokes since they made the right fit for a 350 compression height piston. The 383 modern stroker crate engines combine a longer 5.70-inch rod along with a 3.75-inch stroke crank. This works in favor of rod angularity.

• Two-piece vs. one-piece seals

Initially, all small-block engines were built with two-piece rear seals. Eventually, engineers have discovered that they were prone to leaking. That’s when one-piece rear seals were introduced. Although the transition was not easy on the industry, all the major players now produce engines in both one-piece and two-piece seals versions. A two-piece crankshaft can fit into a one-piece block, but it does not apply the other way around.

• Internal vs. external balance

In order to balance out the longer stroke, the engine needs something to counterweight the crankshaft. Most of the standard 383 stroker engines’ cranks are now externally balanced. They come with an offset weight balancer and flywheel.

However, external balancers are heavyweight and, in most cases, reduce the engine speed. Internal balancers are now replacing them. Advanced 383 stroker crate engines are now being balanced with heavy metal added with the balancer. Generally, two-piece seals are designed with internal weight.

• Compression

In order to choose the best crate engine for your muscle car, you will need to consider its compression ratio. It tells you whether you can utilize the engine power to the fullest. The safest compression ratio for a mild-hydraulic cam is 9.54:1. On the other hand, a 10.13:1 will make an ideal choice for powering pump gas.

• Rod length

We’ve already talked about rod length. However, you should know that there is much more to it than only fitting into a small-block engine. Angularity does not quite work in favor of the short rods. They tend to push the piston further into the cylinder wall’s thrust surface side. Not only that, but they also expose the piston skirt. Engineers now prefer a 5.70 inch long 350 rod for advanced 383 stroker crate engines. They maintain decent angularity during the combustion cycles, running smooth operations.

Different Types of Crate Engine 

Crate engines are highly beneficial for your muscle car as they are designed to expand your vehicle’s lifespan. Your car will function at its maximum efficiency with improved fuel mileage as you install a crate engine. It is essential to know the types of crate engines that are available in the market so that you can make an informed decision.

• Short Block Crate Engine

A short block crate engine includes a cylinder block, crankshaft, cam pistons, and a few other crucial parts that a crate engine needs. Depending on which company is building them, some short block crate engines come with a combination of camshafts and timing belts. Note that short block engines demand additional components such as cylinder heads, oil pumps, and gaskets.

• Long Block Crate Engine

A long block crate engine is simply the complete version of the short-block engine. They do not essentially require additional parts as they feature built-in valve-train, cylinder heads, and camshaft. However, they do not include intake and exhaust manifolds, fuel systems, and more.

Larger bores, bigger valves, and longer strokes can result in exceptional power generation. However, a small block is lighter in weight and easier to assemble. Ultimately, it all comes down to your requirements. Consider your vehicle’s weight and what kind of power you need before you make a purchase decision.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 

1. What comes with a crate engine?

Crate engines - both short block and long block, are equipped with vital components that will run your vehicle smoothly. You may need to add accessories such as a water pump, exhaust, fuel systems.

2. How long do Crate engines last?

Most users replace their crate engines after two years of use. One of the largest players in the automotive industry, GM, recommends that you replace rods and camshaft after three hundred hours of use.

3. Why is it called a crate engine? 

Crate engines come as fully assembled, ready-to-install powerplants shipped to you in a crate. This is where its name originates.

4. Is it cheaper to rebuild or buy a new engine?

Crate engines are often installed in classic cars to enhance their lifespan. It is definitely less expensive to replace a machine than to buy a new car. However, the debate remains whether it is cheaper to build an engine or buy a new one. Rebuilding your engine demands mechanical skills. But it is less expensive than purchasing new machines.

What Needs to be Improved 

A stroker crate engine will deliver what you need for the road. But is there room for improvement? A small block crate engine comes with a smaller cam. It might not fully utilize the single-place high rise intake. In order to make the most of your small-block engine, you can swap in a dual-plane intake. The combination is likely to generate higher torque and horsepower. This works exceptionally well on streetcars.

Moreover, the stroker crate engines increase tension on the rotating assembly due to higher side thrust forces on the cylinder bore and mean piston speed. There is also a potential loss for RPM due to their long strokes. As a result of this, your vehicle’s peak engine speed is reduced by a significant margin.

Stroke engines need replacement every other year. So stroking your engine comes down to component availability and affordability. This may often prove to be challenging for consumers, especially if you use streetcars.

Summing it all up

There is nothing wrong with replacing your old engine with a new crate engine. In fact, they will save you a fortune and let you run your favorite muscle car for years on end. To help you purchase the best 383 stroker crate engine, we have prepared a complete guide breaking down essential points of consideration and recommending some of the best offerings in the current market. We hope our article helps you make the right choice!