383 buildup started, check out the pics!

[ImpalaGuy]

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...




I'll keep you guys posted as the progress continues!

[vic909]

looks good keep the updates coming

[troll5501]

Pics look great!

Any concerns about emissions with the 383? I'm considering a 383 to replace my 350, but how can I be sure it will pass emissions testing?

[ImpalaGuy]

Originally Posted by troll5501

Any concerns about emissions with the 383? I'm considering a 383 to replace my 350, but how can I be sure it will pass emissions testing?

I'm lucky enough to live in the Heart of the Bluegrass (aka Kentucky) where they're more focussed on burbon and race horses than emissions testing.
In fact, I think my catalytic converter may have... uh... fell off, yah fell off when I installed a dual exhaust.

[496-TKO]

I live in Jefferson County. I was very happy to see VET testing go!!

[troll5501]

Why is it that everyone who has installed a 383 lives somewhere without emissions testing?? There's got to be someone out there that can tell me their 383 keeps the DMV happy! Or else I could move...

[ragmc]

Dude you ROCK! I can't wait to see that thing done.

[billt80]

Nice build. Are you going to mod your transmission for the extra horses under the hood?

[1989K1500]

Sweet. Keep us updated.

[mds2004]

Originally Posted by troll5501

Why is it that everyone who has installed a 383 lives somewhere without emissions testing?? There's got to be someone out there that can tell me their 383 keeps the DMV happy! Or else I could move...

I will update you today. Right now it is in for a pre-test. May take a little longer as my brake booster just died too.

[ImpalaGuy]

Originally Posted by billt80

Nice build. Are you going to mod your transmission for the extra horses under the hood?

I already did. The tranny went out while I was towing a car about 50 miles from home. Get this -- it still had second gear so I drove an hour with the engine absolutely SCREAMING at 5000rpm. Even with all the miles on it, that old 350 never missed a beat or overheated, and started up just like always the next morning. Small block Chevy's are amazing.

So anyway, the tranny was rebuilt with the 383 in mind about 6 months ago. Installed a shift kit too.

[billt80]

Originally Posted by ImpalaGuy

I already did. The tranny went out while I was towing a car about 50 miles from home. Get this -- it still had second gear so I drove an hour with the engine absolutely SCREAMING at 5000rpm. Even with all the miles on it, that old 350 never missed a beat or overheated, and started up just like always the next morning. Small block Chevy's are amazing.

So anyway, the tranny was rebuilt with the 383 in mind about 6 months ago. Installed a shift kit too.

Good job thinking ahead...plus it spreads the cost out a little. I had an 89 silverado with about 220,000 on the clock and a nice rod knock when the transmission went out. I had to drive from Montgomery back to my house(around 80 miles) in second gear...like yours the motor didn't give up either. And that's why I am a GM owner now.
Yet again...nice build. Keep us updated so I can get motivated to build my vortec stroker.

[chevyz71man]

whats the compression going to be in that animal??

[ImpalaGuy]

Originally Posted by chevyz71man

whats the compression going to be in that animal??

Compression is 9.6:1

Personally that seemed kind of low to me, given my experience with LT1/LS1 (11.0:1 can be made to work on those), but the machine shop insisted anything higher could have problems running on pump gas. What do you guys think?

[vortec stroker]

9.6 will be fine. Thats what I'm running and I have no problems. My machine shop said the same thing because they are dinosours...and have no idea about fuel injection and what you can do...heck, stock is 9.4 to 1, I wish I would have gone with a thinner gasket to get it closer to 10 to 1, but oh well. Go with a bigger cam! That cam is too small...dont go with something as big as my cam as you'll lose too much low end...but that ZZ4 cam is just a little too girly.

[ImpalaGuy]

Originally Posted by vortec stroker

Go with a bigger cam! That cam is too small...dont go with something as big as my cam as you'll lose too much low end...but that ZZ4 cam is just a little too girly.

Actually the specs on those cams are pretty close:
ZZ4 cam: 208/221@.050", 112 separation
LT4 HOT: 218/228@.050", 112 separation

My experience is it takes about 10 degrees of intake duration to make a difference that's noticible. I was thinking the ZZ4 maybe a bit small as well, so I'm kind of glad that you think your cam is a bit big (no offense intended). Maybe the ZZ4 will be okay afterall?

Right now I'm sticking with stock 1.5 rockers due to the bang-for-the-buck nature of this buildup (i.e. I don't want to dump $300 on rockers right now). But going to 1.6s would add a little to the ZZ4 if I think I need it.

Are you happy with the 2800 convertor you're running? I'm thinking about getting Yank's Truck Thruster 2600. It's $375 and is the last big purchase I need to make.

[vortec stroker]

I still think that the ZZ4 would be a little small. I would check out the TPIS cam that has 212/226...that seems like it would fit our fuel injection and intake systems better.

A torque converter is a must!!!! Not sure about the Yank, but if others are pleased then I would say its a go. I've heard great things about Yank converters, and the 2600 stall speed seems to be a good match with a smaller cam. I love my converter and drive my truck EVERY DAY!