The real hold back is the .450 lift limitation(they say you can go .480, but I like to have a safety cushion between the seal and retainer so as to not crush the valve guide seals). You can drop in an LT1 or LT4 camshaft as they are only about .440 lift, but your still not going to see a huge jump in HP with it. I've put cams in them, and to get any real increase the heads or springs need to be modified to allow for higher lift. And the 383 vortec crate engine is one EXPENSIVE drop in engine unless it came down in price. I priced one out for somebody 4 years ago, and they wanted about $6K for one.

better, faster, and cheaper than a new cam is just change the rockers to 1.6 roller tips and will change the stock cam lift to .453 lift.

Ferm, I was talking about getting the cam out of a HT383, not hte whole engine, most people who buy that engine swap the cam out before they do anything with the engine, its pretty mild(431/451), I think stock for that engine is 314/428. Scoggin Dickey has that HT 383 for $4500, short block only for $3600

i got the new timing set, new timing cover, oil pan, balancer, lower pully on and finished up last night. got the motor set in timing to zero on #1. next the intake will go on. then the new water pump and then the HP robbing accessories...

:sly:

well boys she is coming together nicely, installed the new water pump, valve covers, and installed the intake this afternoon. it is such a beautiful thing when you see your cars engine coming back to life.