Early 80s 355 or 383 T.B.I crate engine

[ColoradoChevyGuy87]

If you want a 383 crate motor, you'll be stuck with a Vortec style short block. If you wanna stroke a TBI 350, that's a different story. They sell stroker kits for them including crank, pistons, rings, bearings, etc. I'm sure you know that. Then get a set of aluminum TBI heads to stick on top. What's your budget will probably be the deciding factor. If you don't have a competent machine shop nearby, go with GM Performance or Blue Print, don't trust those Auto Parts store junk built by ATK etc. You may have issues mounting TBI heads on top of a Vortec block but, you can easily overcome that.

Taking a phrase from @Schurkey - "when it was me" I went Blue Print

GM SB Compatible 383 c.i. Engine - 436 HP - Short Block Plus

Description: HP & Torque: 436 HP / 443 FT LBS Compression Ratio: 10.0:1 Hypereutectic Pistons Cast Steel Crank Block: 4 Bolt main 4.00" bore Passenger side dipstick Align honed main bearing bore Cylinders honed on computer controlled machine to within .0002 straightness and roundness Cylinders...

blueprintengines.com

Then, tune it!

Is there anything wrong with running a vortec style short block?

 

[ColoradoChevyGuy87]

Yeah, FWIU cast iron with 200 cc runners. Besides not being drilled for TBI intake the runners won't help with low end torque. I'd save them for another build later.

I've seen quite a few options on how to make a TBI intake work on pre tbi heads. How much is it going to hurt the low end torque?

 

[PlayingWithTBI]

Is there anything wrong with running a vortec style short block?

No, you just have to do something about the water pump bypass. The Vortec block doesn't have the port for a TBI water pump. If you don't you'll have overheating issues in the heads until the T-Stat opens on warm up.

I've seen quite a few options on how to make a TBI intake work on pre tbi heads.

Yeah, such as drilling out the 70° bolt holes and installing offset bushings etc.

How much is it going to hurt the low end torque?

The bigger the intake runner, the more volume it needs to achieve good, smooth flow. A 350 won't flow enough until it gets up higher in the RPM range thus killing low end torque. On a 383, it's better but, even Blue Print Engines use "Fast Burn" style 195 runners for their long blocks and dyno ratings.

GM SB Compatible 383 c.i. Engine - 436 HP - Long Block

BluePrint Engines 383 c.i. small block GM style stroker crate engine - longblock. Includes 30 month / 50,000 warranty & BPE Dyno Promise. Part #: BP38318CT1

blueprintengines.com

Aluminum Assembled Cylinder Head - GM SB Compatible - 195cc - Sold as a Pair

Description: Get big power on a small budget with BluePrint Muscle Series cylinder heads! These lightweight aluminum heads bolt up to your small block Chevy and feature 195cc intake/75cc exhaust runners, 64cc combustion chambers, and 2.02" intake/1.60" exhaust valves. They're fully assembled...

blueprintengines.com