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Whats better gm 350 330hp or ht383?

camok5

camok5

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I want a engine for my tbi 87 blazer but cant decide which to get, the gm 330hp or the ht 383? I need the engine to work with my tbi ( i plan on getting a new chip, etc...) but cost is a issue. I would just get the 330hp engine but I have heard that they lack torque in the low end and the ht383 is almost 2000 bucks more :confused: . What if I was to change out the cam in the 330hp engine for something with more torque, would it still work with the computer and would it even compare to the ht383?
 
383 hands down, for a couple hundred more you can get the fast burn 383 :bow:
 
Those all seem like good engines but they arent that much better then the gm engine and not any cheaper :( .
 
I've got the 350HO (330hp) in the Jimmy. It was the cheapest solution for we're doing with this truck. I was also considering the 383 but they're so much more $$. I've got 4.56s and 37" tires and it runs great. In low, with these gears, and a 1200 stall it's got plenty of torque and low end offroad.
 
dude its simple.... buy the 330 hp and put the 2k into a cam, manifold, bigger tbi, chip, and dart heads. Sell the vortecs for 400 or 500.

TBI $350 new
chip $350 custom burnt on a dyno
4x4 cam $200
Dart iron eagle platnum 180cc heads $800-1k
manifold $200

you still got $300 left.

That combo will have more hp and more tq than the HT 383 no problem.

I don't know if your mechanically challenged or not but if you are willing to get you hands dirty and can read a manual you can do it.
 
Not a bad idea but not sure if I really want to replace the heads. I already have a tbi from cfm-tech and was hoping I could get away with just putting a better cam in it? I would like to keep it as cheap as possible so if I can get more low end torque by just adding a cam (has to work with a tbi) it would work for me. Also I already plan on adding a better manifold and a chip.
 
Keep in mind that a performance vortec tbi manifold will cost you 300+ bucks.
you'll save 150 bucks if you don't have to buy a vortec manifold and you'll make 500 bucks from selling the vortecs. Thats 650 bucks. you will only be paying another 500 or 600 bucks for another 60++ hp and 60++ ft lbs if you go with darts and a holley tbi manifold.

A cam will defenetly help the cause but won't produce 383 numbers. If you want the power of a 383 then get some darts, a good manifold, and a Zcam(claimed bolt on 40 hp increase) or 4x4 cam.

If you don't want to blow alot of money then get the cam and leave the vortecs on...

If I was you i'd get some Darts for 1k shipped, a holley 2" tbi manifold, and one of the low rpm zcams (1200-5200 rpm).

All together you'll be spending $1,170 less than the HT383(assuming you sell the vortecs) and be making about 400 hp and 445 ft lbs. $1,170 is enough for a d60 or mpfi.
 
Those Smog Legal 383 TBI engines are exactly what I was looking for. I wanted to get an HT 383 for my truck, but there is no way one of those was going to pass the tail pipe emissions test. The only problem is that those smog legal 383 TBI engines are as expensive as a new HT 383 crate engine is.
 
Well smog isnt a problem for me :D . As for building the engine, it sound like a good idea but I am still not sure because I like having the gm warrenty and the blazer is my daily driver and that combo might be a little much for me. Does anyone have any cam ideas for the gm 350 330hp engine?
 
What rear gears do you have? You might try the 330hp out and see if it has enough down low. Not sure what you plan on doing, but unless you're doing a lot of towing, it should have enough low end as it is (with decent gears). Then, if you decide you want to upgrade the cam later on, go for it.
 
I have 4.56 gears and plan on running 37'' tires. I want to put the cam in first because 1. its easier and 2. I have to have a chip burned to match the engine and I only want to do it once.
 
Why dont you just talk to Cfm -Tech. they make TBI packages including the Chip for both the 350 HO and 383. Thay can help you make what you want. What could be simpler?
 
That is my plan but I wanted to see if anyone had some real world advice or pros and cons because its going into a heavy lifted blazer not a car.
 
I have the 330 in my blazer. The thing runs great! I have not had any problems with low end torque 3.73 gears and 33 12.50s. Its not a big block by any means, but they make an honest 400lbft out of 350cid. They actually make 350+hp when tuned well. the 383 will make more power and torque, but I dont know if its worth the extra $$$$. You can always buy the gm goodwrench 350, I think its only 1200. you can sell the factory heads for cheap and add a set of good heads ,intake and cam and still be cheaper than all the above.
 
camok5 said:
I have 4.56 gears and plan on running 37'' tires. I want to put the cam in first because 1. its easier and 2. I have to have a chip burned to match the engine and I only want to do it once.
Click to expand...
Makes sense, but I agree with Moturbopar, they make great power everywhere. I've got the same gearing/tire combo as you and I cannot complain about low end for sure. But, the stall I have may be helping out a bit too.
 
I would still like some cam options but its good to know that some people are happy with the power.
 
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