Generation III Internal Engine 1997-2006 LS1 | LS6
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

All bore, or just stroke??

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 10, 2004 | 05:18 PM
  #1  
Rudolph's Avatar
Thread Starter
On The Tree
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 161
Likes: 0
From: Mexico City
Question All bore, or just stroke??

Now my car does its work really good. Have no trobles with it. But the power is not what i like now.

I have save money to go on serious mods, and soon as i get vacations ( next months) i will be traveling to USA to achieve a new goal.

Well the point is that i have been visiting different vendors, such as MTI, and i am really in love with the 387 ci all bore package, but the 383 ci is not out of the interest. My concern about the 387 ci all bore, is the durability of the block, considering that you are gonna be in the neighborhood of the 4.125" which i think is really close to the limits of the LS1. The car is used as a weekend car, i will use it most of the times for highway roads, autocross, in few words as "sportscar" not a drag car (goes to the drag racing only 6 or 7 times a year) and almost 95% of the time spent is on traveling.

What can i expect from the 387 ci? Am i gonna have the same durability (obviously take a lot of care of it, which means changing oil every 3500 miles, spark plugs, anyway, all the needed liquids) as the "stock" engine (only cam and better exhaust is equiped now)?

I am not a rich guy by any means, so that is why i am getting all the help and info i can have, this before doing the mod (i do not wanna see my block totally blown, or a really short period of durability). I love atmospheric cars, so power adders such as blowers or turbos are not for me. The 383 is a good option and is stroker(no mayor problems), but when i saw the torque curve from the 387, i was like (i want that block ).

So, any help or suggestions are gonna be really appreciated!

Thanks in advance!
Reply
Old Dec 10, 2004 | 05:47 PM
  #2  
David Gordon's Avatar
11 Second Club
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 691
Likes: 0
From: Granbury Texas
Default

I have a 395 all stroke, I am a little undecided on how much I like it. At first I loved it but after 4 qts. of oil in 1000 miles and the fact that is started out with 484 hp and 466 tq and then fell to 460 hp and 435 tq for no aparent reason. After tuning and the addition of a 90mm Fast intake power is up to 486 and 448. I dont think to much of this stroker after many mods I would have been better to just go with one of the heads and cam packages that are putting out more power than my stroker for 5k less.
Reply
Old Dec 10, 2004 | 11:25 PM
  #3  
TAQuickness's Avatar
TECH Junkie
iTrader: (28)
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,250
Likes: 1
From: Houston
Default

I've got an HPE built 383. I only have 5 miles on the motor so far, but those were the most bad *** 5 miles I've ever driven in my own car.

Strokers tend to give you a bit more torque where as a bore motor will give you a bit more horse power. Really just depends on what your final goals are. I think the 383 stroker balances a nice H/C setup well.
Reply
Old Dec 11, 2004 | 08:00 AM
  #4  
Rudolph's Avatar
Thread Starter
On The Tree
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 161
Likes: 0
From: Mexico City
Default

Originally Posted by TAQuickness
I've got an HPE built 383. I only have 5 miles on the motor so far, but those were the most bad *** 5 miles I've ever driven in my own car.

Strokers tend to give you a bit more torque where as a bore motor will give you a bit more horse power. Really just depends on what your final goals are. I think the 383 stroker balances a nice H/C setup well.
I was under the impression that strokers were most of the times giving you torque on the upper range, and the overbore packages were those that give you torque all over the curve.

The good thing about the stroker 383ci, is that may be very well balance, between durability and simplicity. Maybe

Guys thanks a lot for the replay.

Please, more knowledge is needed!!!!!!!
Reply
Old Dec 11, 2004 | 08:53 AM
  #5  
PREDATOR-Z's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 14,620
Likes: 17
From: BFE
Default

Why not both, bore and stroke.
Reply
Old Dec 11, 2004 | 08:56 AM
  #6  
Scalpel's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 7,000
Likes: 1
From: Lexington, Ky
Default

Originally Posted by David Gordon
I have a 395 all stroke, I am a little undecided on how much I like it. At first I loved it but after 4 qts. of oil in 1000 miles and the fact that is started out with 484 hp and 466 tq and then fell to 460 hp and 435 tq for no aparent reason. After tuning and the addition of a 90mm Fast intake power is up to 486 and 448. I dont think to much of this stroker after many mods I would have been better to just go with one of the heads and cam packages that are putting out more power than my stroker for 5k less.
Your's needs to be rebuilt. That's entirely too much oil consumption, regardless of stroke.

You could have hit similar PEAK HP/TQ #s as a H/C 346 but that H/C 346 couldn't hold a stick to the power under the curve you would make with a 395 CID.

I'd have a leakdown test done, I'd be willing to bet the rings are shot.
Reply
Old Dec 11, 2004 | 08:58 AM
  #7  
Scalpel's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 7,000
Likes: 1
From: Lexington, Ky
Default

I was under the impression that strokers were most of the times giving you torque on the upper range, and the overbore packages were those that give you torque all over the curve.



This is a ver simplified synopsis:
Strokers make lots of TQ, especially in the mid to low range of the RPMs.
All bores make more HP in the higher RPM range.


The good thing about the stroker 383ci, is that may be very well balance, between durability and simplicity. Maybe

Why, if both built competently, would the 383ci be more balanced?



Please, more knowledge is needed!!!!!!!

Search "bore vs stroke" and you'll get lots of info.
Reply
Old Dec 11, 2004 | 09:31 AM
  #8  
777's Avatar
777
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (21)
 
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,697
Likes: 2
From: Jacksonville, FL
Default

Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-5

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

 
story-9

10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Dec 11, 2004 | 12:56 PM
  #9  
David Gordon's Avatar
11 Second Club
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 691
Likes: 0
From: Granbury Texas
Default

I hope my rings are not shot it only has about 1 or 2 thousand miles on it. They did put in new valve seals.
Reply
Old Dec 11, 2004 | 01:13 PM
  #10  
Rudolph's Avatar
Thread Starter
On The Tree
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 161
Likes: 0
From: Mexico City
Default

Thanks a lot for the answers, but, hehe! can i have an asnwer for my main question which is "am i gonna see any bad points for durability, talking about the 387 all bore?"
Reply
Old Dec 11, 2004 | 01:42 PM
  #11  
Rudolph's Avatar
Thread Starter
On The Tree
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 161
Likes: 0
From: Mexico City
Default

Originally Posted by CANNIBAL
I was under the impression that strokers were most of the times giving you torque on the upper range, and the overbore packages were those that give you torque all over the curve.



This is a ver simplified synopsis:
Strokers make lots of TQ, especially in the mid to low range of the RPMs.
All bores make more HP in the higher RPM range.


The good thing about the stroker 383ci, is that may be very well balance, between durability and simplicity. Maybe

Why, if both built competently, would the 383ci be more balanced?



Please, more knowledge is needed!!!!!!!

Search "bore vs stroke" and you'll get lots of info.
Thanks, i already did, but on all those threads, they never got to achieve a point, on "if all big bore engines are kind of dangerous talking about durability".
Reply
Old Dec 11, 2004 | 03:01 PM
  #12  
Scalpel's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 7,000
Likes: 1
From: Lexington, Ky
Default

Originally Posted by Rudolph
Thanks, i already did, but on all those threads, they never got to achieve a point, on "if all big bore engines are kind of dangerous talking about durability".
If you go with either:

- C5R block
- 6.0L iron block
- Darton MID block that was done correctly

Then you'll have zero issues with durability in regards to the block.

Durability outside of the block will have nothing to do with the size. It'll be do to all the other stuff like valvesprings, cam selection, etc.
Reply
Old Dec 11, 2004 | 03:03 PM
  #13  
Scalpel's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 7,000
Likes: 1
From: Lexington, Ky
Default

Originally Posted by David Gordon
I hope my rings are not shot it only has about 1 or 2 thousand miles on it. They did put in new valve seals.
A set of rings can be ruined in a few hundred miles if:
- improper hone
- improper ring install (gaps, etc)
- very rich condition
- too great of piston-rod-length ratio combined with any and/or all of the above

4 qts in 1000 miles is not going to be cured by valve seals. You have mechanical problems with either or including all of the following:
- cylinder hone
- rings
- fuel
Reply
Old Dec 11, 2004 | 05:37 PM
  #14  
Rudolph's Avatar
Thread Starter
On The Tree
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 161
Likes: 0
From: Mexico City
Default

Originally Posted by CANNIBAL
If you go with either:

- C5R block
- 6.0L iron block
- Darton MID block that was done correctly

Then you'll have zero issues with durability in regards to the block.

Durability outside of the block will have nothing to do with the size. It'll be do to all the other stuff like valvesprings, cam selection, etc.
If i pick the 387 all bore, which is the one i like based on the torque graph, it will be on Darton sleeves. No money for the C5R, and i do not wanna lose the aluminium advantages(if going with the iron block) , i will not even spray the car.

Anyway, thanks a lot, and if you could suggest any package that goes for 10k installed, i would greatly appreciated.

Last edited by Rudolph; Dec 11, 2004 at 06:00 PM.
Reply
Old Dec 11, 2004 | 06:43 PM
  #15  
Bryan TTM's Avatar
On The Tree
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 130
Likes: 0
From: Texas
Default

Rudolph...here's a straight answer...the 387 bore motor will be just fine as far as durablility...yes the walls are thinner but if you are not spraying it, you should never see a prob...the added cylinder pressure from an adder will find the weakest spot, maybe not for a while if youre a good tuner tho...my 393 had some cracking probs between cylinders on a stock block & 500 shot NX shark system but on a Dart block did not...the big bore motor will rap rpms real fast...it will be a HP motor but you wont be disappointed with the torque either..good luck...bryan
Reply
Old Dec 11, 2004 | 07:20 PM
  #16  
2001CamaroGuy's Avatar
TECH Veteran
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 4,766
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix, AZ USA
Default

I LOVE MY 388 ALL BORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It spins up like nothing else I have ever been in. It depends on where you want the power (torque). Most people like gobs of tire shredding torque but I personally like my power in the mid (>3500RPM) and high (<7500) RPM range. It’s just so much fun on the highway.


now about the block:

The stock block WILL NOT take anymore than 0.010" over (3.908) bore so any "big bore" motor is a re-sleeve (or iron block which will take a 4.030") and the ONLY way I would ever tell someone to go is with the wet sleeve (Darton) setup which is "recommended" at a max bore of 4.155" (at 4.125" bore you have over 0.025" wall thickness at the THINNEST area). There are people doing 1000+HP out of these resleeved blocks and I plan to put a 250shot (N2O) on it some time down to road myself (probubly 750-800 crank HP range).
Reply
Old Dec 11, 2004 | 07:29 PM
  #17  
2001CamaroGuy's Avatar
TECH Veteran
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 4,766
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix, AZ USA
Default

Originally Posted by Rudolph
The good thing about the stroker 383ci, is that may be very well balance, between durability and simplicity. Maybe

sorry but NO! even when I made my 388 (I have motor plates/solid mounted motor) idle at 600RPM (with a 244/249 solid roller cam) and water drops on the hood don't even vibrate let alone roll off the car.......


if anything the longer stroke engine will have a worse balance due to all the extra weight flying around (longer rods/more iron in the crank/etc.....) and often require more heavy metal to balance them......
Reply
Old Dec 11, 2004 | 07:56 PM
  #18  
Rudolph's Avatar
Thread Starter
On The Tree
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 161
Likes: 0
From: Mexico City
Default

Originally Posted by Bryan TTM
Rudolph...here's a straight answer...the 387 bore motor will be just fine as far as durablility...yes the walls are thinner but if you are not spraying it, you should never see a prob...the added cylinder pressure from an adder will find the weakest spot, maybe not for a while if youre a good tuner tho...my 393 had some cracking probs between cylinders on a stock block & 500 shot NX shark system but on a Dart block did not...the big bore motor will rap rpms real fast...it will be a HP motor but you wont be disappointed with the torque either..good luck...bryan
Thanks a lot for the comments, i do really apprecite it!! That is what i wanted to hear! That is why i liked the all bore option, due to the torque and hp curve, which look really proggresive, and as i said i am more on the autocross side than in the drag side, highways, mountain roads, long distances (1000 mi +). I want the engine to be as reliable as possible (as the stock engines that last more than 200k mi, with all the due care).

I will also get a Moser 3.73 (my car is M6), and rest of the cash, if there is a "rest", sway bars.

Anyway, thanks a lot!
Reply
Old Dec 11, 2004 | 08:04 PM
  #19  
Rudolph's Avatar
Thread Starter
On The Tree
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 161
Likes: 0
From: Mexico City
Default

Originally Posted by 2001CamaroGuy
I LOVE MY 388 ALL BORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It spins up like nothing else I have ever been in. It depends on where you want the power (torque). Most people like gobs of tire shredding torque but I personally like my power in the mid (>3500RPM) and high (<7500) RPM range. It’s just so much fun on the highway.


now about the block:

The stock block WILL NOT take anymore than 0.010" over (3.908) bore so any "big bore" motor is a re-sleeve (or iron block which will take a 4.030") and the ONLY way I would ever tell someone to go is with the wet sleeve (Darton) setup which is "recommended" at a max bore of 4.155" (at 4.125" bore you have over 0.025" wall thickness at the THINNEST area). There are people doing 1000+HP out of these resleeved blocks and I plan to put a 250shot (N2O) on it some time down to road myself (probubly 750-800 crank HP range).
Maybe in a future, and i say maybe, i would spray it, but a dry shot, nothing so wicked such as wet shots

Anyway, thanks a lot!!
Reply
Old Dec 11, 2004 | 08:21 PM
  #20  
11 Bravo's Avatar
TECH Junkie
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 3,078
Likes: 1
From: Republic of Texas
Default

Originally Posted by Bryan TTM
Rudolph...here's a straight answer...the 387 bore motor will be just fine as far as durablility...yes the walls are thinner but if you are not spraying it, you should never see a prob...the added cylinder pressure from an adder will find the weakest spot, maybe not for a while if youre a good tuner tho...my 393 had some cracking probs between cylinders on a stock block & 500 shot NX shark system but on a Dart block did not...the big bore motor will rap rpms real fast...it will be a HP motor but you wont be disappointed with the torque either..good luck...bryan
What type of sleeves did you have with your cracking problem? I ask because the darton wet sleeve has stronger cylinder walls than a stock block, according to the man who designed the sleeve, and I have never heard one single problem with them. Did you run a dry sleeve?
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:49 PM.

story-0
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-2
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-5
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-6
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE
story-7
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

Slideshow: A heavily reworked 1972 K5 Blazer swaps its off-road roots for a low-slung street-focused build with modern V8 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-09 18:08:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There are thousands of used Camaros on the market but we think you should avoid these 10

By | 2026-02-17 17:09:30


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

Slideshows: Which one of these myths do you believe?

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-28 18:10:11


VIEW MORE