Here’s an affordable street-cruiser combination from the same shop that also builds winning Pro Mod engines.

This 383 stroker small-block Chevy assembled by Mike Consolo at QMP Racing Engines peaked out at just over 500 horsepower and produced 430 lb-ft of torque or more throughout the entire dyno run–all on pump gas and with a respectable idle.

“At first it sounds rather sedate but we ended up making really good power with it,” says Consolo, noting final numbers of 509 horsepower at 6,200 rpm with peak torque of 475 lb-ft at 4,600 rpm.

The short block is based around a basic Scat 383 stroker kit with 5.7-inch I-beam steel rods and flat-top pistons. Oiling is provided by a Melling pump and Milodon pan. Other buildup goodies include Fel-Pro gaskets, ARP fasteners and Clevite bearings.

“I really wanted to push the cylinder heads,” adds Consolo.

He started with a set of assembled Edelbrock CNC-ported E-street heads with 64cc combustion chamber, finalizing a 10.25:1 compression ratio. The heads were torn down, the valve job checked and the springs tested.

“I just basically blueprint the head and make sure everything is sharp,” says Consolo. “I did change the spring setup a little bit. They give you more of a generic setup and I catered it right to our cam profile. In fact, the only ‘high dollar’ piece was the hydraulic roller camshaft.”

Consolo ordered the custom grind from Comp Cams for the 383 stroker. Specs are .550-inch lift for both intake and exhaust; 236/245 at .050 duration and 110-degree lobe separation. It was installed on a 106-degree centerline. The 1.6:1 rocker arms are also from Comp Cams.

“I do have a lot of overlap in the cam because it’s 10.25:1 on pump gas, so we bleed off a little of the cranking compression,” says Consolo. “I don’t do a lot of flat-tappet engines. It’s not that they don’t work. Some of these motors sit for a year or so while the car is being built. I’ve just had better luck with a hydraulic roller.”

The top end is anchored by an Edelbrock RPM Air-Gap intake and Quick Fuel 750 carb with vacuum secondaries. MSD provides the spark.

“This is a very reasonable engine,” sums up Consolo. “It could go for $8,000 to $8,500 with shipping.”