Jim,
You can be sure that you will get plenty of support from here.
Where did you buy the kit??.What rods came with it??.Flat top pistons I would guess.What are the spec's for the cam??.What are you looking at for a set of heads??.Now is the time to compound the stroker effect with a strong top end for building torque in RPM ranges that are normally used for a street driven van.I suggest you wt you choices.Ask questions and it's all here to help.
Here are some recent reviews on heads:
http://www.compperformancegroupstores.c ... ode=VORTEC
These heads are of interest to me because of their ability to use the old style intakes and the newer ones as well.Still abit small for a 350 build like the one I am doing for Ole Yellar with only a 170cc intake runner.RHS doesn't offer porting service and have told me they could be opened up to 180cc max.I would think these would be a bad example for a 383.
For a 383 I think the target intake port runner should be 195cc.This allows for a torque curve to start still under 2500 RPM.
Here is a example of a aluminum head.Now I am not a big fan of aluminum heads because the do expand and contract at a much different rate than the cast iron block you are bolting it to.Surely the castings of them have gotten tons better over the yrs.
http://www.airflowresearch.com/195sbc_sh.php
Here you should note these heads have the ability to order of angle center bolts for the newer style intakes.Also you see they at AFR are saying you need to use their hydro rev kit to help prevent valve float that hydro roller systems are known for at around 6,000 RPM.Also the are rated for a 400ci engine with the start of the torque curve at 2,000 rpm.It has thicker decks too.Seems like just the ticket for a street driven 383.I am not sure a agree with the use of a Edelbrock proformer intake.
I recently did a search for a "paper build" 383 on another
board for a member there.We looked at AFR's,RHS's,Trickflow's, and a number of different companies.The AFR's won hands down with the target intake runner,price,intake flexablity,and the impressive knowledge of the hydro roller cams.The other companies offered 200cc intake runners with at torque curve starting at 3,000 rpm.In my opinion abit too high for a street van.
Well that is my two cents worth.
Gary
Edit:We also looked at Patriot heads with a dual pattern intake manifold,thick decks,etc.The real question is are they of the same quality as the AFR's.If it where my money making the choices,it would be with the AFR's.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... &viewitem=
You know slapping stuff together in hopes that it will be better or at least drivable.
