Dumb Question

[76okievette]

Dumb Question

OK, I have to ask, I have been a vette owner for over a year now and been online here in this forum for 7 months. I have seen the phase, "383 stroker" many times in reference to rebuilt engines, so I assume that a "383 stroker" is a rebuilt engine but what I want to know is what exactly is it, what is "stroker"? I know this may sound dumb but I am just not familiar with this term. Thanks

GO SOONERS

 

[pasvorto1]

Different crank and pistons assy to increase the length of the stroke; ergo; more cubic inches, more horse power. That is the simplified answer.

 

[goingballistic]

"383" refers to the displacment of the motor, essentially bored 30 over moving it from 350 CID to 383 CID.( Cubic Inch Displacement)

The Stroker part refers to the length of the rods going from stock 5.7inch to 6 inch which gives a longer throw and in theory more HP. There is some debate on that, I am in the process of building a 383 and have chosen to keep the original length rods (5.7). The research I did showed that the attack angle of the rod "pushing" the piston was actually very well designed utilizing a 5.7 rod (GM did something very well here) and the 6 inch rod changes the attack angle enough that it ( debate starts here) causes premature wear on the cylinder walls due to the steeper attack angle and stress on the piston/cylinder combo while the piston is being pushed up the cylinder wall. If I remember correctly the attack angle should be below 17 degrees and the longer rod makes over a 19 degree angle, hence premature wear.

paul

 

[bill81vette]

there is no such thing as a dumb question!! you were just uninformed,and now you are not.

 

[1979toy]

The "stroker" is in referance to the crankshaft. In the case of a 383 it would mean that you have bored the cylinders out .030 and replaced the 3.48 inch stroke crankshaft with a 3.75 inch stroke shaft. The 3.75 inch crankshaft came stock in the 400 small block that ws used in 70's Chevrolet trucks and some passenger cars and due to it's availabily it is a very common swap.

 

[76okievette]

Thank you all I feel so much smarter this morning. I appreciate all the info.

 

[Copdogcorvettes]

The only dumb question is the question that was not asked. A wise man once told me this and I believe it.


Gary

 

[78SilvAnniv]

Kenny and I were searching the 'net for information about my GM Goodwrench crate motor and he came across an interesting FAQ site for 383 Strokers. We spent the better part of an hour reading about them.

From what I recall, you use a 400 crank and machine the journals to fit 350 connecting rods. You'll also use longer pushrods and some areas of the block and/or piston head need to be ground away for clearance issues, also clearance issues for the rotating assembly are critical, because the counterweights on the 400 crank are larger. I think it also recommended balancing.

Kenny made a comment that the 383 Stroker is so popular because the larger weights on the 400 crank make the centrifugal force greater and easier to achieve and maintain with little wasted power, which translates to more power and response for the rear wheels.
Heidi

 

[76okievette]

Thanks Heidi, I now know why everyone is always talking about having a "stoker". I am happy to have my orginal L-48 still running strong, although as everyone knows its no performance engine, if I ever have to replace it or just get to the point that I want more horsepower I think I will go the GM crate motor method. Right now I am just content to have that huge "cool" factor going for me everytime I drive my car. That might be a good survey question for us C-3 folks, "What is more important, the 'Cool Factor' or 'Horsepower'. Thanks again for all the info.