LT1-LT4 Modifications - Big cams and strokers

Everybody says that cams act smaller in strokers. Is this true about idle only? Or does the cam act smaller over the entire RPM range (as in a lower RPM powerband)? Any replies would be much appreciated.

the cam will act smaller all over

the combustion chamber is a lot larger and therefore the cam cant quite fill up the chamber with air as well as it would have on a stock displacement motor so its lacking air all across the powerband causeing a smaller powerband all across the board. thats why they say strokers eat up cams in teh small to midrange size.

Hopefully the cam will be perfect,because it was overcammed with the 350. The 3000 Vig compensated a little, but any driving under 3000 rpm felt a little sluggish..........ohh wait, its a truck, its always going to feel sluggish. How many rpm's will a 383 typically bring down the powerband? Thanks!

with strokers, the powerband is usually moved up powerband. many strokers can easily be spun over 7k just because of the better internals. however, the torque is increased significantly in the lower RPM's to make up for it.

If you keep the same camshaft the powerband will move down - probably 300-400 rpm for a 350-383. If you don't change the heads/cam you will not make a tremendous amount of additional horsepower - picture shifting the entire hp curve to the left - but as a result of the the torque curve will increase to allow for the increased hp at a lower rpm.

The exact rpm drop will depend on the heads also - but I would guess (assuming stock heads) you would make peak hp around 5600 or so with the 383.