LT1 383 stroker
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Eminence Indiana
Some other things I am factoring in are the fact my car is a convertible and Im not sure how crazy I could go without twisting anything and if a 383 is a more expensive or less reliable way to go then what else could I do. The car is down right now and I dont need to to daily drive so time isnt an issue which is what brought me here to plan and find ways other people had done things and where they went wrong so I dont do the same. I do want something that is still comfortable to go cruise around town with and will be reliable but will also turn a few heads along the way. Again this is my first build so I dont want frankenstein or a record breaker just something I can say I built and would be comfortable putting my name behind
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,740
Likes: 2
From: Nebraska
Some other things I am factoring in are the fact my car is a convertible and Im not sure how crazy I could go without twisting anything and if a 383 is a more expensive or less reliable way to go then what else could I do. The car is down right now and I dont need to to daily drive so time isnt an issue which is what brought me here to plan and find ways other people had done things and where they went wrong so I dont do the same. I do want something that is still comfortable to go cruise around town with and will be reliable but will also turn a few heads along the way. Again this is my first build so I dont want frankenstein or a record breaker just something I can say I built and would be comfortable putting my name behind
All I can say like the rest is search search search on here and you will get the info you need. This stuff has been done over and over. Just research and when you have the means, go to town!!
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Eminence Indiana
I havent taken the block anywhere to get checked yet but i know the head gasket went and due to it taking so long to come up with the money the cylinder walls are rusted. I bought the lt4 heads as an upgrade to stock but could always sell and buy new ones. Honestly a cruiser with some power really is what Im looking for and I realize now especially that a 383 probably isnt the best way to go. I wanted to do my own build and not just buy a kit mostly just for myself even though you can get plenty of power and reliability out of one that has already been tested
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,740
Likes: 2
From: Nebraska
As long as the rust is just surface, a 0.030 over bore would clean that up. I would sell the LT4s and send Advanced Inductions your stock heads and intake for porting and get their cam. Then do a rebuild with stock crank and some good pistons. You could upgrade the rods to but its not entirely necessary. The stock crank can handle a lot.
I agree, a nice 355, AI or LE worked heads, and matching cam, springs and rockers. Keep the compression high. Spend some of the saved money on exhaust, driveline and chassis. Enjoy!
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Eminence Indiana
I believe the rust is just surface since nothing looked pitted or anything too major. I was planning on putting headers on and changing the stock muffler to a magnaflow i had on a previous car and I know the tranny is still good for stock concerns anyway. I dont know how much the stock t56 can handle it has about 130,000 on it. Maybe just a freshen up would do. Just curious why should I get rid of the lt4 heads? Is it just a money saving option or is there a downfall to them?
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,740
Likes: 2
From: Nebraska
I believe the rust is just surface since nothing looked pitted or anything too major. I was planning on putting headers on and changing the stock muffler to a magnaflow i had on a previous car and I know the tranny is still good for stock concerns anyway. I dont know how much the stock t56 can handle it has about 130,000 on it. Maybe just a freshen up would do. Just curious why should I get rid of the lt4 heads? Is it just a money saving option or is there a downfall to them?
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?
Pouria Savadkouei
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine
Verdad Gallardo
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built
Verdad Gallardo
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin
Verdad Gallardo
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them
Pouria Savadkouei
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo
The idea that the LT4 intake is very different is wrong, internally it is the same as the LT1 intake, just the head ports are taller and it makes for a thin sealing margin at the top of the port if used with an LT1 intake.
The LT4 heads are a lot better in theory than they are in the real world.
The LT4 heads are a lot better in theory than they are in the real world.
you need a setup like my old 355.........it was stock crank and rods with cheap speed pro forged pistons......had a set of out of the box trick flows (which id just have AI port the stockers instead) and an AI 234/242 .600 cam, i shifted it at 6800 and it ran perfect for 4 years before i tore it down to build this motor i have now.....it was a cheap motor i was just out of high school at the time
