What do you guys think of this 383 crate engine to replace my small block. There is a link to a dressed and undressed version
DRESSED
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/MLL-BP3830CTC1/
UNDRESSED
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/MLL-BP3830CT1/
Our possibly this one?
http://www.jegs.com/i/Blueprint-Engi...4CTC1/10002/-1

I ahve a friend that has been running GM 383 blocks for a few years now. I am not sure if the Summit ones are the same or not. At any rate you can not get the "Dressed" versions more then likely because they would not have Marine carbs and electronics on them.

9.5:1 and Vortec heads scare me in a marine application. For that kind of money, I can assure you that there are cheap valves in it. I also dont like the GM Rods or budget pistons. I have seen these combos installed in airboats time and time again and the rods are sticking through the block shortly after break in.

The Patriot heads will help with detonation, but I still dont like the rods or pistons for a stroker marine application.

The are both advertising a high volume pump. What seems to happen is they still ship with a 5 quart pan, and during extended RPM's they pump all the oil to the top...

A buddy installed a pair of the GM ZZ 383 crate motors in his 26 Sutphen back in '04 He dressed them with stock Merc T-IV ign, CMI headers, Holley 750's and 18x3 oil coolers.

They have worked flawlessly, pushing 300 hard hrs to date. I'd say the majority of these hrs are from 4600-5200.

He got them from Pace Chevrolet

http://www.gmhorsepower.com/ZZ-383.php#

A close friend of mine put a Merc reman 383 in his Checkmate 4-seasons ago. He runs the thing HARD 5-days a week from May-Sept. Let me emphasize.....wide open from point A, to point B all summer long. He runs conventional oil in it. The thing has never skipped a beat. Solid motor.

That scat cast crank is decent for a cast crank. The first step in a performance marine engine is a forged crank.

Guy at my marina put a 383 crate motor (X2) in his scarab, took him less then 20 minutes to bend a rod.

check out tandlengines.com they are a little more but that's where I was going to go with my old boat then just bought a new boat instead

I think ill buy a short block or just build teh whole thing. ill probably go with a full forged scat bottom end

that's why I suggested them they have a complete forged upgrade for 700