FSC Forum - View Single Post

ImpalaGuy · 10-02-2006, 10:40 PM

(Ron's note -- I edited this post to contain the pics from my first post so that the whole build-up is in one thread)

Well guys, after 2 years of ownership I've finally got my 383 underway. The plan is a bang-for-the-buck street 383 to liven-up the truck. Right now my tired 350 is probably putting out 150-160HP, and I'm hoping for 350-400 HP out of the 383. Here's the plan:

383cid short block ($1300)
Ported vortec heads (ebay: $700)
50mm TBI w/80lb injectors, injector spacer and AFPR ($400)
Edelbrock Performer RPM vortec intake w/adapter ($200)
Roller cam from a ZZ4 crate motor (208/221@0.050") ($100)
Roller lifters, pushrods, retainers ($0, had 'em from an LT1 buildup)
Afterburner headers ($285)
8mm plug wires and Procomp distributor ($125)
Gaskets: $100

That totals $3200. If history is any indication it will probably be ~$3500 by the time it's done. Here's some pics of what's happening so far...

Here's the freshly assembled 383 short block. I had the block but the pistons and crank are new..

Check out the 4 bolt mains on the bottom. The rods are LT1 ones that I already had...

Vortec heads. Fresh valve job and new springs...

Nice big 2.02" intake and 1.60" exhaust valves. Hard to stuff any bigger ones in there :)

There's power in a good port job. Check out the smooth intake ports in the vortec heads...

And a quick shot of the 50mm throttle body. Overpriced, IMHO, but I need to fuel this beast...

Update on 10-02-2006...
I finally got some time back in the garage and made some progress on the 383 buildup. The weather has been great for garage work here in Kentucky, and I was able to work (play?) at a nice pace and take some pics as I went along.

Here's a new shot of the 383 block with the heads installed. They are ported vortecs with 2.02" and 1.60" valves.

This is always a cool pic. The cam is 1/2 way installed here. I did decide that my original budget ZZ4 cam was to small, and sprung another $250 for the Comp Cams 502 grind. It's 218/224@0.050". The red stuff going on the lobes is cam lube (prevents wear on the first startup). You can also see my fancy cam installer in the end of the cam (also known as a bolt I had lying around :)

You can see the Cloyes double roller timing chain installed in this one.

I've got the valve train installed here. I converted it to a roller cam/lifter design from some lifters/pushrods that I left over from an LT1 buildup, and you can see the lifter retainer in the intake valley. I wish I had the cash for some sexy roller rockers, but stock ones will have to do for now.

Here I've got the intake installed. I went with an Edelbrock Performer RPM manifold. I'm going to use an adapter made by TRD to let me mount a TBI on a carb intake. I had to spend a LOT of time on the intake ports getting it to match the ported vortec cylinder heads, but forgot to take a pic of the ports when I finished

I also had to grind at the carb mount on the intake -- I test mounted the adapter and TBI, and the 50mm throttle blades were so big they wouldn't clear the intake mount to open! Some clearancing of the intake (and adapter) and everything fits smoothly.

And here's how she sits in the garage now with the balancer and valve covers installed. The only hickup I've run into is that these were some LT1 valve covers I had, and I've realized that the breather and filler holes are opposite of what I need for the '95 Silverado. Anybody out there have a cheap set of valves covers they want to sell?

Updates to follow!

10-02-2006, 10:40 PM	#1
ImpalaGuy "Wow that's.. uh.. loud" Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Kentucky Age: 39 Posts: 58	383 TBI buildup, lots of pics! (Ron's note -- I edited this post to contain the pics from my first post so that the whole build-up is in one thread) Well guys, after 2 years of ownership I've finally got my 383 underway. The plan is a bang-for-the-buck street 383 to liven-up the truck. Right now my tired 350 is probably putting out 150-160HP, and I'm hoping for 350-400 HP out of the 383. Here's the plan: 383cid short block ($1300) Ported vortec heads (ebay: $700) 50mm TBI w/80lb injectors, injector spacer and AFPR ($400) Edelbrock Performer RPM vortec intake w/adapter ($200) Roller cam from a ZZ4 crate motor (208/221@0.050") ($100) Roller lifters, pushrods, retainers ($0, had 'em from an LT1 buildup) Afterburner headers ($285) 8mm plug wires and Procomp distributor ($125) Gaskets: $100 That totals $3200. If history is any indication it will probably be ~$3500 by the time it's done. Here's some pics of what's happening so far... Here's the freshly assembled 383 short block. I had the block but the pistons and crank are new.. Check out the 4 bolt mains on the bottom. The rods are LT1 ones that I already had... Vortec heads. Fresh valve job and new springs... Nice big 2.02" intake and 1.60" exhaust valves. Hard to stuff any bigger ones in there :) There's power in a good port job. Check out the smooth intake ports in the vortec heads... And a quick shot of the 50mm throttle body. Overpriced, IMHO, but I need to fuel this beast... Update on 10-02-2006... I finally got some time back in the garage and made some progress on the 383 buildup. The weather has been great for garage work here in Kentucky, and I was able to work (play?) at a nice pace and take some pics as I went along. Here's a new shot of the 383 block with the heads installed. They are ported vortecs with 2.02" and 1.60" valves. This is always a cool pic. The cam is 1/2 way installed here. I did decide that my original budget ZZ4 cam was to small, and sprung another $250 for the Comp Cams 502 grind. It's 218/224@0.050". The red stuff going on the lobes is cam lube (prevents wear on the first startup). You can also see my fancy cam installer in the end of the cam (also known as a bolt I had lying around :) You can see the Cloyes double roller timing chain installed in this one. I've got the valve train installed here. I converted it to a roller cam/lifter design from some lifters/pushrods that I left over from an LT1 buildup, and you can see the lifter retainer in the intake valley. I wish I had the cash for some sexy roller rockers, but stock ones will have to do for now. Here I've got the intake installed. I went with an Edelbrock Performer RPM manifold. I'm going to use an adapter made by TRD to let me mount a TBI on a carb intake. I had to spend a LOT of time on the intake ports getting it to match the ported vortec cylinder heads, but forgot to take a pic of the ports when I finished I also had to grind at the carb mount on the intake -- I test mounted the adapter and TBI, and the 50mm throttle blades were so big they wouldn't clear the intake mount to open! Some clearancing of the intake (and adapter) and everything fits smoothly. And here's how she sits in the garage now with the balancer and valve covers installed. The only hickup I've run into is that these were some LT1 valve covers I had, and I've realized that the breather and filler holes are opposite of what I need for the '95 Silverado. Anybody out there have a cheap set of valves covers they want to sell? Updates to follow! __________________ Ron 1996 Impala SS: 396 LT1, T56 six speed 1966 Impala SS convertible: 396 carb, four-on-the-floor. 1995 K1500: 383 TBI, vortec heads, Comp 502 cam, 50mm TB. AND STILL TRYING TO TUNE THIS @#$%^& THING! Last edited by ImpalaGuy; 12-03-2006 at 09:53 AM.