383 build help one piece at a time

Sorry, I have entirely avoided the piston question. If it were mine I would look at it like this: If you have to bore the block and can't reuse the original pistons, I would try to find a good name brand .030 over stock replacement or pistons that live slightly higher in the holes for a little higher compression. Lighter weight would be better. If there is a chance that you will ever want to run even a little boost or N2O, you will want forged pistons.

Don't know if you already know it or not, I don't see where anyone has mentioned it, if you swap pistons you will want to have the rotating assembly re-balanced, even if you don't it would be a good idea.

The 9.2:1 I have read these are rated at is pretty decent for street use. A cam spec'd at 225 degrees duration (@.050) should wake it up without being too much.