Small Block & Big Block Chevy Specific Mouse & Rat Motor Discussion & Conversions

SBC Build Up

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Old Mar 11, 2008 | 04:02 PM
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Default SBC Build Up

Hey guys, I think I am dead set on building a 383 for my 80' Malibu. I was wondering what kind of power #'s you guys were making out of 383's with different kinds of head/cam/intake setups?
I was wanting somewhere around 500fwhp if thats possible. I know I could make that eaiser with a 400, but 400 block are kind of scarce in my area b/c of all the round trackers.

I did a search but it didn't yeild exactly what I was looking for, so just figured I'd ask.

Thanks in advance!
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Old Mar 11, 2008 | 05:25 PM
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I'm putting down ~400 crank horsepower with a 383 with Vortec heads & LT4 hot cam, etc. Stock injection and my own tune, with a VMax manifold spacer.

You could get quite a bit more power out of it, but I wanted to keep it streetable as it's currently in a daily driver.
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Old Mar 12, 2008 | 05:57 AM
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This car will be "somewhat" streetable but def. not a daily driver.
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Old Mar 12, 2008 | 08:58 AM
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I built mine off of the AFR website. and since i put it in last week, it is a total monster..this motor is 100% streetable

385 ci (fully forged with file fit ntirous rings)
9.8 to 1 compression
AFR 195cc eliminator heads
comp cams (nitrous style) 236/248 .050 duration, 550/570 lift with 1.6 rockers
old holley strip dominator dual plane intake

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Old Mar 12, 2008 | 07:11 PM
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Bigdcustoms, sounds like a nice setup. With 9:8:1 compression what octane fuel are you running?

I was going to go with at least forged rods and pistons even if I go with a cast or steel crank. I'm not sure of the type of cam that I'll end up running, either a hydraulic or maybe a solid roller if it comes down to me making he power #'s I want, but I'm not sure as of right now.
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Old Mar 13, 2008 | 03:42 AM
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Depemds on the setup over all, what rear gear and trans, is auto and stalled with 3000 converter a vic jr intake would be great for the peak street power. over 500 has been made with 93 octane with a 383, but you will not have brakes.
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Old Mar 13, 2008 | 11:48 PM
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im runnin a hydralic roller...lol yea i had to add a vacuum canister to boost my breaks a lil bit. im runnin 93 octane right now but id be willing to bet that it would run on 91
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Old Mar 14, 2008 | 11:01 AM
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I want to converto to E85, i think i could go with 13 to 1 then maybe?
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Old Mar 14, 2008 | 06:34 PM
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My combo that I drive when it's sunny and race when I can:

396SBC
Dart 230 Pro 1 heads
11.5:1 Comp
254/260 @ .050" .619/.627 Comp Extreme Energy Solid Roller.
1-3/4" headers
Super Victor Intake with 780cfm Holley HP Pro-System Carb

This will make well over 500hp with accessory drives on it in a street car. Mid-high 10's if you gear it right and hook hard @ 3500lbs.

If I wanted streetable 383 I think I'd do AFR 210's, Comp 236/242 Hyd roller, Vic Jr, Pro System 780 custom carb(<--Drives like EFI), 11:1 Comp. This will idle all day with a crisp crackly idle at 1000rpm and will rev to 6600-6800, probably making 500hp give or take depending on accessory drives, exhaust, etc. Goodluck! BU's rule!
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Old Mar 15, 2008 | 02:39 PM
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Originally Posted by AutoRoc

Goodluck! BU's rule!
Thanks man.

I think by the time my car has an engine/tranny, it should weight around 3200 or less. My buddy had one with a 400 with cast iorn heads, th-350 tranny, and a 12 bolt rear with full interior and I think he said his was around 3200-3300lbs.
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Old Mar 15, 2008 | 02:43 PM
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Originally Posted by bigdcustoms
im runnin a hydralic roller...lol yea i had to add a vacuum canister to boost my breaks a lil bit. im runnin 93 octane right now but id be willing to bet that it would run on 91

I planned on ordering a vacuum canister b/c of that reason. My Trans Am could probably use one. Its not terrible but the brakes aren't the best either.
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Old Mar 23, 2008 | 04:52 PM
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Do the same rules apply to carbed engines as the do on EFI engines with compression ratio and being able to run pump gas? My T/A is probably 10.6:1 or so and I run 93 w/out any race gas, but would it be the same for a engine with a carb?
If not, what would be the "limit" for a pump gas engine? Not race gas mixed with 93 octane, but just straight 93 outa the pump.
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