blueprint 383 TBI

[whitelightnin92]

i was searching for an engine for my truck and stumbled upon this......

http://www.blueprintengines.com/popu...ptions&pcsci=5

what u guys think

[popknot98]

i woulda figure a blueprinted 383 would make more than 315 ponies??

[YenkoST]

Looks like a good engine from the specifications (I looked at the performance heads engine). However, a 4.040 bore would be a 385 not 383.

The chip will be a good base tune to get started with but you'll need a custom tune in person to achieve those results due to the possibility of different injectors, accessories, etc being used.

I would like to see the compression up a bit more towards the 9.5:1 margin but its definately 87 octane safe if you wanted to run that.

Another thing I didn't see was if it was 1 or 2 pc. rear main seal. 1 pc. rear main seal is less likely to leak oil.

[YenkoST]

Originally Posted by popknot98

i woulda figure a blueprinted 383 would make more than 315 ponies??

You got to look at the combination. The heads flow around 222 cfm at .500 lift. The cam is a 209/216 with .43x/.45x lift. Compression is 9.25:1. Not the best high performance 383 out there but should have lots of low end for a daily driver and be fun to drive.

[whitelightnin92]

look at the torque numbers. also this is a tbi engine wich gets hard to make serious power. i think the numbers would be higher when it had "REAL CUSTOM" tune. I assume these #s are with a stock tbi.

[YenkoST]

I would assume a stock TBI but with 454 injectors from the bottom of the page and headers, exhaust, etc to make all the power you can get.

[whitelightnin92]

i agree with YenkoST. i am seriosly thinking of this engine as an upgrade in the future

[whitelightnin92]

i think this would be a great reliable well rounded engine

[discostu]

Originally Posted by popknot98

i woulda figure a blueprinted 383 would make more than 315 ponies??

Blueprinting doesn't really do much for your power levels.
Blueprinting is just checking everything on the engine and making sure it's "exactly" to spec, as we all know GM's design tolerances, especially for old engines, were very loose.

It would, however, probably increase an engine's longevity because everything would be balanced and aligned better.

Taken from wikipedia:
"Blueprinting is the remachining of components to tighter tolerances to achieve better balance.

Ideally, blueprinting is performed on components removed from the production line before normal balancing and finishing. If finished components are blueprinted, there is the risk that the further removal of material will weaken the component. However, lightening components is generally an advantage in itself provided balance and adequate strength are both maintained, and more precise machining will in general strengthen a part by removing stress points, so in many cases performance tuners are able to work with finished components."

[whitelightnin92]

great explanation. i dont know why everyone seems to think blueprinting an engine works some wonderfull magic and creates unbelievable horsepower

[04SilveradoMykk]

Blueprint are good engines. They are made by Marshall, I sell Marshall & Blueprint at my parts store.

I think that peticular engine is low in the HP due to the flat tappet cam. But 415 TQ is nothing to overlook

[whitelightnin92]

i have been looking into a 383 and no matter what combination i come up with is 4-5k by the time its done. so the price seems reasonable. can anyone get one for cheaper that is ready to bolt right in?

[YenkoST]

You can build one yourself for cheaper...I have and probably will for a guy on here but check out Smeding Performance or a few others might have a discount or something. They do from time to time.

[GreaseDog]

Originally Posted by discostu

Blueprinting doesn't really do much for your power levels.
Blueprinting is just checking everything on the engine and making sure it's "exactly" to spec, as we all know GM's design tolerances, especially for old engines, were very loose.

It would, however, probably increase an engine's longevity because everything would be balanced and aligned better.

Taken from wikipedia:
"Blueprinting is the remachining of components to tighter tolerances to achieve better balance.

Ideally, blueprinting is performed on components removed from the production line before normal balancing and finishing. If finished components are blueprinted, there is the risk that the further removal of material will weaken the component. However, lightening components is generally an advantage in itself provided balance and adequate strength are both maintained, and more precise machining will in general strengthen a part by removing stress points, so in many cases performance tuners are able to work with finished components."

i'm going to have to respectfully disagree with you here. just one aspect of blueprinting an engine can make or break the engine. take an engine that has a proper quench distance (especially with an advanced combustion chamber like that in a Vortec head) and put a .050" head gasket in it. you'll quickly see that it becomes a detonation prone pile of crap, and power will be down.

by the definition, they are only describing a rotating assembly balance. blueprinting is much more than just balancing. its making sure that clearances are where they need to be, piston to bore clearance, ring end gaps, camshaft lift and duration numbers, camshaft timing, and bearing clearances are where they need to be. a balance job is part of a good blueprinting, though often times so is a good gasket match on the intake and heads.

anyone who tells you blueprinting isnt all its cracked up to be is sadly mistaken. its the little things that will make or break an engine in a heartbeat.

[thebigo432]

Im curious as to what intake they are running on it. I could see gains being made by changing to a different style intake and using an adapter plate.

[YenkoST]

Originally Posted by thebigo432

Im curious as to what intake they are running on it. I could see gains being made by changing to a different style intake and using an adapter plate.

They ran a Edelbrock TBI intake manifold.

[YenkoST]

I did some searching last night. For the same price from Smeding, you can get a 383 9.2:1 compression with Dart heads and a hyd. roller camshaft(big plus right there in the camshaft).

That would be the 383 Torquer version if you were looking for it.

[trickedout420]

heck the one with stock heads is $1000 cheaper and makes just a little less power...thats the one i would go for cause you can always upgrade later

stock 280hp 388 tq
performance head 315 hp 415 tq

[whitelightnin92]

yeah i still think the performance head is the way to go if you going to do it. i also like the fact this engine has a good warranty because i can give her hell and not worry

[thebigcheez]

that is going to run like a beast. DD fo' sho'?