Ken

[topless82vette]

just curious, do you still have your original block from you vette if so was it a roller cam, with 1 piece rear seal block?

 

[Ken]

do you still have your original block from you vette

Yes.

...if so was it a roller cam

Yes.

...with 1 piece rear seal block?

Yes.

_ken

 

[topless82vette]

ken how much do you want for it, I just need the bare block to start building a 383 for our 82, and is the block standard bore?

 

[Ken]

I honestly haven't decided what I am going to do with it yet. I'm torn between rebuilding it to spec and keeping it because of it being the original engine, and selling it to replenish the depleted wallet I now carry.

Future restorers may be interested if I keep it. I sold the trans because it would take a lot of work to re-install that--I had to cut the tunnel up to accomodate the six-speed. I've retained all of the other original parts though.

In the end though, it will probably be all for naught, because there will be no one to see to its conclusion.

_ken

 

[69MyWay]

, because there will be no one to see to its conclusion.

_ken

No worries Ken, the Z51 Beast always has a spot reserved in my driveway! (as well as a spot for you) You know I can't sleep at night knowing the speedo is out of whack!

I too have have the stock roller engine out of my 90. Don't know if I want to sell or keep for the exact same reasons. I have another roller block that is actually a four bolt with a steel crank that I have been saving....just in case. Of course, shipping from FL to CA would cost as much as the parts are worth.

 

[topless82vette]

Chris

yea the shipping is what scares me the most, thats why I was hoping Ken would sell his since he's about a hour from where I live, so my guess is I will end up staying with my original engine block, how good are and do the L-83 (stock) have any potential, I cant run performace early heads due to the smog nazi's, Ive also got a good feeling my crossfire injection wont give me much more power due to the brainiacs that designed it, so I might just stick my tpi system on it, camshaft wise can a roller cam be adapted to my block at a reasonable cost, or can I get good results with a hydraulic flat cam, I do need to keep the camshaft tame as well, Im sure my block is original, would it be a candidate for up to 300HP, also how will my automatic handle the power (700R4 out of a 90 vette) and is my stock rear end going to be able to handle the power difference, exhaust wise since duals are out of the question can a single exhaust breath well enough, I dont want long style headers my preference is the shorty style and last but not least is a 383 a streetable engine (do they idle nice, decent fuel mileage)

 

[WhalePirot]

I have no use for any of my my stock L-83 engine, unless I decide to put it in my '55 F-100 as a 383.

i think the L-83 will be just fine for the mods the SMOGguys will allow. Before going to the 406, I had my stock heads opened up with larger valves, enlarged the throttle bodies, wrapped the TRACO headers, which fed Flowmasters, a hydraulic Crane and the 3.73 rear gears. It ran with '87 and 88 Vettes, but only to 4600rpm! It is NEVER enough, no matter what!

The pricey roller cam will allow two things: Less friction (good for 15-25 HP) and steeper ramps on the lobes. This allows a more radical cam grind, as the steeper ramps open and close the valves faster. This hotter cam acts like a milder, slower moving, non-roller cam. My car idles at 900, with a most satisfying smog easily. I expect tomorrow's dyno tests to show 550+HP at the flywheel.

I can tell you endless tales of the myriad chores and parts needed to convert from CFI to TPI. It ain't easy!

A hydraulic roller should go in your L-83 with no issues. You may find better places to spend the extra money though.

Mike
So. Orange County

 

[Ken]

...I was hoping Ken would sell his since he's about a hour from where I live...

I really shouldn't worry about the future, right? Que sowhat, sowhat... Whatever will be... :L

Give me a call sometime Jeff (310.374.4135), or make an offer here. Actually, I'd prefer you make an offer here in front of God and everybody. :L:L

_ken

 

[Eagle85C4]

Watch it...you could incur the wrath of Doris Day.....

 

[topless82vette]

Ken

Sorry I took awhile, my company has been having me run all over SO. cal for the last two days, anyways is 200-250 enough for the bare block, and is the block standard bore or reboreable, same for the crank jurnals, also I saw a post where you were considering aftermarket guages in your car, will you be selling the digital cluster at all ..... how is the vette running saw your post on the trip you went on must have been a blast, wish I could get away like that sometime but poor me I'm married and she would hunt me down and ruin the fun haha.

heres a quik question, did GM ever make a set of cast iron heads that are good for performance, with egr passages and screw in studs that will fit the earlier blocks and intakes.

 

[Ken]

...did GM ever make a set of cast iron heads that are good for performance, with egr passages and screw in studs that will fit the earlier blocks and intakes.

I don't know. I could ask my builder tomorrow. :confused

No offense, but I could also get a lot more money from him for the L-98 engine. I don't plan on "parting it out" - I want to get rid of everything at once.

_ken