A call to all of you 383 stroker fans. I need help.

[tscott9330]

I am currently building a 383 stroker it will be in a daily driver and it will be driven at the strip every now and then. I want around 400hp and 400ft/lbs. and i need to know some of your engine specs. (I realize there are many variables besides what i have listed but i am trying to get a feel for what most people are using so i can make an educated decision on parts.)

I want to know what works and doesn't.

first off and most importantly What camshaft are you using and how do you like itand if you do what are the specs especially lift? did you have clearence the rods to make them clear the cam lobe?

next what compression ratio are you running? how high should i go? And how high can i safely go on the street?

what heads are you using?


and what advice would you give me? I want to know everything.....

Tom Scott

 

[bossvette]

I have a 383 in my 76 that was originally built 13 or 14 years ago before 383 cranks were a stock item and it is still going strong. It has 5.7 rods floating pin forged FT TRW pistons with Brodix street heads. three years ago I converted it to a TPI and put it in the Vette I had recently bought.It is running a Isky Hyd roller i485 e 505 lift
designed for tuned port apps a modified TPI with holley commander 950 electronics I had to massage the block quite a bit to clear. the newer 383 cranks are not as bad I am doing another with a new crank and I only had to do minumum grinding.
I built the motor with a emphisis on mid range torque for the street it will put you back in the seat like a BB and still remain docile to drive. you may e-mail me at coco78@saa.net
the 383 is a great addition to any Vette

 

[fc3]

Engine Combo:
350 bored .030 over, zero decked, 010 4 bolt block.
Balanced 4340 forged eagle crank, 3.75" stroke, SIR I beam rods, TRW flat top pistons 10.5:1, plasma moly file fit rings.
windage tray,clevite 77 H series rod and main bearings.
Crane Hyd roller cam Powermax HR-284-2S-12 (sm base circle)roller tappets.
AFR 195's 68cc.
edel performer RPM intake.
Pre emission Q-jet -750jets.
MSD-6AL box and distributor.
Dynomax coated headers with 2.5" exhaust, H pipe, super turbo mufflers.
11" PTC converter 2500+ RPM
B&M shift kit on th400
3.08:1 rear gears
The cam is a little lopey...sounds nice.
Car runs upper 12's. Very torquey.
Traction is a problem off the line. Fred

 

[tscott9330]

Fc3 did you have clearence problems with that cam and your rods. If so was it alot of grinding?

 

[fc3]

There were some clearance issues on the oil pan rails. I have posted photo's previously. It is not a big issue with a good machinist or builder. I did not take any chances with the cam. I used a small base circle cam. It was close but no grinding was needed. You can go to the Crane site and read about the cam. I would NOT reccomend any larger cam. It will not be streetable for an everyday driver. Mine idles at 800rpms with a fair amount of lope. The roller lifters will turn the rpms quickly. Even with 3.08's it will break the tires loose at 30mph or less and catch a mean tire screaming 2nd gear at 50+ mph. I considered 3.73 rear gears before the stroker... Traction is a problem now, with 3.73's it would only be much worse. Fred.
Check the photo, the right side of the photo just above the #1 that is stamped in the block. You can see the 1 inch or so clearenced area.

 

[tscott9330]

Fc3 i like the cam, it sounds good and I am giving it alot of consideration.

But i do have 1 question that you could maybe answer. how does a roller cam with this large amount of lift clear the rods when a flat tap it won't?

The whole cam thing is new to me and I had no idea there were this many choices.

Oh and one more thing. I live in florida so I need an AC does your cam give you problems running your AC and other accessories

Tom Scott

 

[fc3]

Tom, I don't know the answer about the cam lift... I worried about it too but it fit fine.
Torque was way more important to me than high rpm hp.
As far as the AC goes, mine has AC and the compensator is required on the Q-jet carb and sl. lopey cam. I idle at 800 rpm minimum. Fred

 

[MaineShark]

HotRod 383 Article

Some good info on building a 383.

Joe

 

[TomOB]

not trying to jackt his thread but---
can anyone recommend a good read on the technical and theoretical side of engine building? like what kind of what will do what, but also why. I was thinking of going the stroked route but how do these mods affect economy? i think technicaly more stroke=more power/economy.
tom

 

[tscott9330]

FC3 do you have the exact specifications for that cam. Lift, duration, etc.

 

[fc3]

3. PowerMax Hydraulic Roller Retrofit Camshafts for Non-Emissions Controlled Vehicles


Application Series & Grind Number
Fair idle, moderate performance usage, good mid-range HP, mild bracket racing, auto trans w/2500+ converter, 3000-3800 cruise RPM, 9.5 to 10.75 compression ratio advised. Basic RPM 2500-6000 PowerMax
Hydraulic
Roller
HR-284-2S-12 IG

Cam Specifications


Degrees Duration @ .050 Int./Exh. Degrees Advertised Duration Int./Exh. Degree Lobe Separation Open/Close @.050" Cam Lift Int./Exh. Lash Hot Int./Exh. Gross Lift Int./Exh.
222
230 284
292 112 4 38
52 (2) .000
.000 .509
.528

Tom, You can go to the Crane Cam site and pull up the cam number. It is "HR-284-2S-12 IG". When you order this cam in a small base circle it will be a custom grind. They dont keep sm base circle cams on the shelf.
If you want to hear my engine (cam lope) you can call me. Fred.(fredc@tyler.net)