Anyone bought a HT383E crate motor?

[bkwapisz]

Re: Anyone bought a HT383E crate motor?

That engine looks like it has a nice flat Torque curve on it, and I do know that the strokers are torquey, so the grunt should be nice. 380HP will help with passing and accelerating if you're towing something too.

I've used K&N too without issue.

 

[j_martin]

Re: Anyone bought a HT383E crate motor?

Yep,It is in really great shape.I bought it new in 2000 with less than 100 miles on it.
It still drives like a new truck and only has a couple door dings on it.
I am really on top of every service item.
The only concern with the 383 is if the tranny will hold up to it.

The stock engine runs fine and uses no oil at all.The underside of the truck has no leaks at all and no rust.
It has had synthetic oils all of its life.
I just feel the 350 is getting tired and would love the extra power when towing the boat or travel trailer.

This is the longest i have ever owned a vehicle.I usually trade them in before 100k but i really love this truck..And its paid for!

With that kind of maintenance, that engine should go for 250 - 300K miles before anything major goes wrong.

If it runs good, a fresh engine on an old truck would be a waste of money. Your best value is to have everything wear out at the same time. Spend the money on your boat.

my 02
John

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Anyone bought a HT383E crate motor?

With that kind of maintenance, that engine should go for 250 - 300K miles before anything major goes wrong.

If it runs good, a fresh engine on an old truck would be a waste of money. Your best value is to have everything wear out at the same time. Spend the money on your boat.

my 02
John

Good point John! It does run fine now but the "more power" thing has me thinking...lol!

I would rather buy a bigger outboard for my boat but that is 3 times the cost of that truck engine...

 

[Knightgang]

Re: Anyone bought a HT383E crate motor?

Gary, give me some more details...

Is your current engine MPFI, or is it throttle body. Also is it a Vortec? I will need the 8th digit from the VIN, or the entier VIN if you will give it...

I ask this becuase we have a guy local (that we use at O'Reilly's) that will build you a Crate 383 and has does this often. He knows exactly how to Cam it, port it, etc. so that it will be a direct swap with your 350 without having to change EMC, ignition, etc...

Give me all the details you can and I will see about the pricing. He can ship it to you door and I will also find out about warranty...

Also, are you looking crate (complete ready to drop in and crank (minus exhaust manifolds and throttle body) or are you looking Long Block... Let me know and I will find out... Thanks...

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Anyone bought a HT383E crate motor?

Thanks! I will get the VIN this afternoon and post it.

It is the MPI Vortec motor.

The crate motor i was looking at was complete except for intake and exhaust.
For the price GM wants it should be...lol!

 

[Knightgang]

Re: Anyone bought a HT383E crate motor?

Great. If you want, send me a PM with your Phone number so that if have any other questions, I can call you direct tomorrow while I am at the store and get everything answered and sorted out...

Crate, everything minus Intake and Exhaust..., got it... so it should have the water pump installed, and valve covers, you will pull over your A/C, P/S, ALT and all intake and exhaust peices... Just want to make sure I am clear to price apples for apples...

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Anyone bought a HT383E crate motor?

Sending PM...I was gone all day yesterday...

 

[Tacklewasher]

Re: Anyone bought a HT383E crate motor?

On the K&N issue, someone at Diesel Page did some independent tests on air filters a while back.

Here are the results

Based on this, I ripped the K&N out and put an OEM back in. The K&N will flow more (but it isn't the restiction in this case) but lets a lot more past it. Plus you need to be real careful re-oiling them to not muck up the MAF. Just wasn't worth running it. My truck came with one but it doesn't have one now.

Key point to the test.

Does it flow better? At very high airflow volumes, probably. BUT, Our trucks CAN'T flow that much air unless super-modified, so what is the point? The stock filter will flow MORE THAN ENOUGH AIR to give you ALL THE HORSEPOWER the engine has to give. And this remains true until the filter is dirty enough to trip the air filter life indicator. At that point performance will decline somewhat. Replace the filter and get on with it.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Anyone bought a HT383E crate motor?

On the K&N issue, someone at Diesel Page did some independent tests on air filters a while back.

Here are the results

Based on this, I ripped the K&N out and put an OEM back in. The K&N will flow more (but it isn't the restiction in this case) but lets a lot more past it. Plus you need to be real careful re-oiling them to not muck up the MAF. Just wasn't worth running it. My truck came with one but it doesn't have one now.

Key point to the test.

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Good read there on the filters Tacklewasher...
Too bad i don't have any of the stock air box or intake so i'm stuck using the K&N and keeping it clean.

I have an aftermarket MAF sensor and have never had a problem.

I did the K&N intake system before i opened up the exhaust.
The real gain in throttle response and power was after the exhaust work.

The stock exhaust was really restrictive and the air box was a ton of stuff.

 

[dr_bowtie]

Re: Anyone bought a HT383E crate motor?

if your that intent of the 383 why not pull your 350 and put an Eagle Stroker kit in it....

you can rebuild your current 350 into a nice 383 for 2000.00 pretty easy...with all machine work and done...of coarse you assemble it yourself...

half the cost and you get what you want...

thats what I am doing to my 88

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Anyone bought a HT383E crate motor?

if your that intent of the 383 why not pull your 350 and put an Eagle Stroker kit in it....

you can rebuild your current 350 into a nice 383 for 2000.00 pretty easy...with all machine work and done...of coarse you assemble it yourself...

half the cost and you get what you want...

thats what I am doing to my 88

Got to agree Bowtie....I have been considering that too.
Just run the stock motor until spring then yank it out.

 

[gcope63]

Re: Anyone bought a HT383E crate motor?

I was thinking about this same upgrade on my '97 Yukon but I am thinking now that instead I will just upgrade the 350 thats in it.. I think the 225hp you are talking about was the the early 350's before they updated it with the Vortec heads. I think mine is around 255hp, but not sure about the torque. Figured I could come close to the 383 with other upgrades.. Still trying to decide so may go back to the 383E later... Will probably do it sometime this summer..
One thing I did read on this upgrade is that the original computer will run okay but to get the full power out of the new motor you have to reflash it. i like the idea of plug and play on the motor instead of having to try and get everything dialed in to get everything to work together..

Gary

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Anyone bought a HT383E crate motor?

... I think the 225hp you are talking about was the the early 350's before they updated it with the Vortec heads. I think mine is around 255hp, but not sure about the torque....

Chevy 5.7s with TBI (from 1986ish to 1994) WERE 210hp with 300lb-ft torque.

Chevy Vortec 5.7s (1995-whenever) are 255hp with 330-335lb-ft of torque. Hope that helps.