LT1-LT4 Modifications 1993-97 Gen II Small Block V8

383 Build, Input please

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Old Oct 8, 2009 | 09:22 PM
  #1  
Z28Camaro30Ann's Avatar
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Default 383 Build, Input please

Ok, forget my past, I AM NOT the one doing the work on this engine, so please leave that out.

I have a STOCK LT1 short block. Stock bore, stock internals, unknown miles.

I want to build a 383 that is all set up properly and dont want to just got buy a cheap kit. I want it done right, everything flowing right, etc.

My ONLY limitations are this:

I want to retain the current heads (AFR Heads modified by TPiS, 54cc Chamber, 2.02 Int/1.66 Exh. Manley Valves, 187cc)

I want to retain my stock intake manifold however it has been port matched to both the heads and throttle body.

Details on the car:

I am going to upgrade the rear-end to a Moser before I install this kit and don't know the gears, so recommendations would be great.

It is a 6-speed, stock tranny

What I wanna do is build a 383 from that block and build it to flow right. This means I need all the internals, camshaft, timing chain, lifters, pushrods, rockers, clutch, rear-end gears.

Here are some upgrades I already have, do I need to further upgrade any of these items?

30# SVO Injectors
52mm Throttle Body
MSD 6AL Ignition Control
MSD Heavy Duty Coil
MSD 8.5mm SP Wires
LS7 Lifters
.600 lift springs

Also anything else you can think of for tips, or advice, or whatever REGARDING A 383 SETUP would be appreciated!

I am not going to a larger block, or higher than a 383, so please keep it on topic! Money is not an issue here, I want it to flow right!

I know people ask this alot, but I would prefer a custom setup than a generalized one...Thanks all!
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Old Oct 9, 2009 | 11:04 AM
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I'm no expert but you will definitely need larger injectors and depending on how much power you are gonna make the 52mm tb might hold u back a bit.
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Old Oct 9, 2009 | 11:21 AM
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Do you want to do it right or do you want to keep the conditions you just set? They are conflicting.
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Old Oct 9, 2009 | 11:30 AM
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Originally Posted by 96capricemgr
Do you want to do it right or do you want to keep the conditions you just set? They are conflicting.
Agreed. Op you should part out everything you have now and start over, letting a reputable shop spec you a heads/ cam package. Ai or Le will get you there. This is if you want to do it "right".
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Old Oct 9, 2009 | 11:51 AM
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Putting that topend on a stroker would be retarded.

It would likely run no better than the steaming pile between your fender wells at present.


33 additional cubic inches doesnt magically give you a bajillion hp. The topend is what makes the power. If you dont spend the money in the topend and valvetrain to properly feed a stroker and you will get worked by stock stroke motors and give LT1's a bad name like everyone else who builds a 383 and slaps a bunch of cheap *** random parts together and expects it to set records.
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Old Oct 9, 2009 | 05:48 PM
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haha damn well said
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Old Oct 9, 2009 | 08:04 PM
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i agree with the other guys... those heads are gonna choke out that motor... if they are only 187cc and you are set on keeping stock casted heads... they still have plenty of room left for porting 1997 heads arent the greatest for porting ( i know becuas ei have one) i went with cnced trick flows (200cc) and will have stock intake ported to match... im going to be running compstar rotaticing kit with srp pistons... this stuff isnt cheap... ill have about 10K give or take from pan to intake when its complete inlcluding all machine assembly and blueprint work.... im not confident enough to do this stuff my self as it sounds like you arent either... go with a bigger head and 58mm throttlebody... port the intake more... ls7 lifters should be good my cam is a decent size for a street/strip car and im not even making it to .600 lift so u might be good with those valves/springs too depending on the spring rate... youll probably be pretty cool with the ignition stuff but will need larger injectors and that will depend on what your setup ends up being... if you are going to beat on it and race it you should go forged internals and think about 4 bolt or splayed mains... hope this help ya out...
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Old Oct 9, 2009 | 08:42 PM
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I might be wrong but isn't the main reason people stroke an LT1 so they can run larger head/cam and still keep the car streetable or atleast keep in under the 7k rpm limit. Also if your gona spend the money to go with a stroker why not go with larger heads so you can use those cubic inches. If you do end up building a 383 go forged or nothing. Aftermarket cast cranks are well special (not in the good way). If you have any more direct questions I'd be happy to help I just dont want to see another low powered stroker lt1 get spanked by a bolt-on ls1.
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Old Oct 9, 2009 | 09:18 PM
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the heads are junk. toss them

i used 30# injectors on my 383, worked fine.

yo will either need a new oil pan, or you will need to hammer yours for clearance.
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Old Oct 9, 2009 | 10:05 PM
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The guy I bought my LT1 aluminum cores from was selling them because he went with the 187cc TPIS ported AFR. My heads/cam Caprice is faster then his 383 Camaro. He would like his old heads back.
He has tried them with at least three different TPIS cams on both a stock shortblock and the 383.
On the stock shortblock with the TPIS 212intake cam they ran the same 13.2 that my Caprice did cam only and mine was the little ZZ4 cam 208/.474 intake, with 2800 stall and 3.42s, REALLY mild setup, passengers would mistake the car for stock till I stepped on the loud pedal.
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Old Oct 10, 2009 | 12:46 AM
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Ok, that is what I needed to hear. I have to cash to either fix the 355 I have now, or do what I said in the first post, but if I do a 383 I cant afford new heads due to what I will be spending on the stuff for a 383.

If this is the case I will just stick with the 355 and make it run right. Thanks guys.
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Old Oct 10, 2009 | 12:49 AM
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Sell your junk heads and get stockers and have them ported by AI or LE and have them grind a cam up to match the heads
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Old Oct 10, 2009 | 12:51 AM
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I thought "Money is no issue here"?

I think your making the right choice in sticking with what you have and getting it to run.

I would spend the money you would have put towards the 383 rotating assy and ditch those heads.
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Old Oct 10, 2009 | 01:52 AM
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The power is in the heads and cam . If you want your LT1 to be a runner you need
a badass set of heads with a matched cam . Thats more than half the battle
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Old Oct 10, 2009 | 02:18 AM
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it all depends on your expectations. if "flowing right" is in the 400 fwhp range, those heads are fine. if you want 400 or more at the wheels, you need better heads.
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Old Oct 10, 2009 | 08:26 AM
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I'm building a new 383 for my car and I have an all forged rotating assembly from Competition Products and I had my local machine shop race prep the block with splayed billet caps and ARP head & main studs. I already had a 847 cam and Caddy Racing lifters, Manley 2.055/1.6 stainless raceflow valves and a set of new bare 643 casting heads, so I sent the heads and valves to Lloyd Elliott for his LE3 porting and it was about $1400.
Since you already have the AFR heads why not get the 383 rotating assembly then send your heads to LLoyd or Ai for additional porting and get a matching cam. I don't know why everyone here is telling you your heads are junk, they just need more work.
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Old Oct 10, 2009 | 04:23 PM
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Originally Posted by 97Z28SS
I don't know why everyone here is telling you your heads are junk, they just need more work.
Are you saying that from experience?

Just curious
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Old Oct 10, 2009 | 10:50 PM
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Originally Posted by Z28Camaro30Ann
...I am going to upgrade the rear-end to a Moser before I install this kit and don't know the gears, so recommendations would be great.

It is a 6-speed, stock tranny...
No one has addressed this question. Most M6s go with a gear around a 4.10 ratio. Stock is 3.42, so you will notice a SOTP difference.
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Old Oct 10, 2009 | 10:57 PM
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AFA the heads are concerned, I STRONGLY recommend that you call some competent head builders. They do it for a living, and can give you proper guidance. You may know some; you might be able to get good advice from Elliot. I know an independent, if you PM me I can give you his web site/number. I don't want to get involved in the good/bad issue, I don't know enough about the issue. But I do know enough not to just toss them out like yesterday's garbage w/o consulting an expert.
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