383 Stroker or 6.0 LS??

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shiftpro

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The88

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If i was gonna be running that far I would opt for more modern reliability. I know the sbc has done it time and time again but I would have more trust in an ls and 4l80 towing cross country on a regular basis. Then if something went out along the road it may be easier to find another sensor at NAPA. Since that is usually what throws codes in all the new crap.
 

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Typically the 383 will produce a lot more low end torque than the 6.0 and low end torque is great for towing.

Guys at work that have the 6.0 in their Silverados say when they are towing they have to stuff their foot into it and get the revs way up.

But as far as long term reliability- I've seen some LS engines with a lot of miles on them. Over 200,000. I do not expect to get that out of my 383.
 

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Rashad Baker

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Typically the 383 will produce a lot more low end torque than the 6.0 and low end torque is great for towing.

Guys at work that have the 6.0 in their Silverados say when they are towing they have to stuff their foot into it and get the revs way up.

But as far as long term reliability- I've seen some LS engines with a lot of miles on them. Over 200,000. I do not expect to get that out of my 383.

What have you seen as far as miles on the 383s? Maybe if I went that route, when the 383 gave out I would go with the LS then......

Aren't the 383 pretty reliable as well though?
 

Rashad Baker

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If i was gonna be running that far I would opt for more modern reliability. I know the sbc has done it time and time again but I would have more trust in an ls and 4l80 towing cross country on a regular basis. Then if something went out along the road it may be easier to find another sensor at NAPA. Since that is usually what throws codes in all the new crap.

Good point, something to think about as well.
 

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I've got 180,000 miles on my 2011 Suburban with a 5.3L and 6L80E. I use it to pull our small travel trailer and it finally toasted the transmission just this past week on a family trip to yellowstone. Engine still runs great and has no issues. I get about 20-24mpg on the freeway unloaded and down to 10-14mpg loaded up. I think the biggest problem with my setup is the 3.08 gearing tbh.. I think going to a 4.11 would really help my towing and transmission longevity.
 

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I know that it's not a super popular option, and there is not much for aftermarket power makers for them. But an 8.1l in stock form has that newer reliability and has torque compared to the 6.0l and 5.3. Plus its an easier swap going from old school sbc or BBC to the 8.1 then the LSs. Some people can even find them cheaper due to lack of popularity.

I'm in the same boat as vbb199 and not crazy about LS swaps due to them being overdone. So if I were to swap out my ole sbc/700r4 in a truck that would tow, I'd go 8.1l. If I were doing a 2wd c10, I'd be going with the 6.0l or find a way to put in the newer 6.2l.
 

77 K20

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What have you seen as far as miles on the 383s? Maybe if I went that route, when the 383 gave out I would go with the LS then......

Aren't the 383 pretty reliable as well though?

I don't have much info on a "real" 383. I've had three 400s though (same crank as a 383) and my dad had a 400. Most mileage of any of those was 140,000. It smoked and leaked pretty good at that point. All of these had the older stock small block heads. At around 120,000 miles I got a set of almost new stock heads and put those on my 400 since the head gasket went. I also added a mild cam at the time. Ran great for about a year then started drinking a ton of oil. Gave up and bought my 383.

It should be more reliable than the stock 400 and has better block cooling (no siamese cylinders).
 

Bextreme04

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I know that it's not a super popular option, and there is not much for aftermarket power makers for them. But an 8.1l in stock form has that newer reliability and has torque compared to the 6.0l and 5.3. Plus its an easier swap going from old school sbc or BBC to the 8.1 then the LSs. Some people can even find them cheaper due to lack of popularity.

I'm in the same boat as vbb199 and not crazy about LS swaps due to them being overdone. So if I were to swap out my ole sbc/700r4 in a truck that would tow, I'd go 8.1l. If I were doing a 2wd c10, I'd be going with the 6.0l or find a way to put in the newer 6.2l.

The 8.1L is basically a Big Block LS... it is a GenVII BBC but doesn't share any common BBC components. Even the motor mounts are the 4 bolt LS style and the heads are LS cathedral port style. There is almost no cross compatibility between other platforms and Raylar are pretty much the only people making performance parts.

It is definitley in the same order as the 6.0L or 5.3L in reliability.. but will be making about twice the torque and half the fuel mileage. It passed some crazy marine durability rating too. I remember reading something about it being run at full throttle for 300 hours straight in testing.

If you are on a budget though, I'd steer clear of one unless you can get a complete running vehicle for the swap for a steal. Just getting an engine is going to run into needing all of the same swap components as an LS, with the added BBC tax and limited options for sources.
 

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I was thinking the 4L80E if I did the LS swap.

If I went with the 383 I was going to go with this TCI Maximizer 700r4
https://www.jegs.com/i/TCI/890/3714...HbCJpXi5xr4qXMZxYNpE2sAOvQzf-jOMaAjIuEALw_wcB

An old timer tranny builder with 40 yrs experience explained that in his experience a 700 can be built to handle 500 hp on the street or most likely, street and strip. No problem there.
But that doesn't mean this transmission will handle towing. Towing, extended pulling, or pushing snow will overheat these units far beyond what even a 500 hp capable build will
experience. Even with the best cooler, it won't actually stop the tranny from overheating. Look at it this way, the cooler is puling heat out of the oil 'already' heated to nuclear meltdown.
 
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shiftpro

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Typically the 383 will produce a lot more low end torque than the 6.0 and low end torque is great for towing.

Guys at work that have the 6.0 in their Silverados say when they are towing they have to stuff their foot into it and get the revs way up.

But as far as long term reliability- I've seen some LS engines with a lot of miles on them. Over 200,000. I do not expect to get that out of my 383.

Remember that engine parts such as pistons, bearings, valves and seals are far superior to what was installed originally. I believe a properly rebuilt cast iron block engine is more reliable than they were when they rolled out of the assembly line. The metallurgy in pistons and bearings has come a long way.
 

shiftpro

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It should be more reliable than the stock 400 and has better block cooling (no siamese cylinders).

Absolutely, and better sealing too. The siamese cylinders have trouble staying round.
 

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