L-82 rebuild
Thread Starter
New Member
Joined: Mar 2007
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From: Plano Tx
L-82 rebuild
Started to rebuild a factory L-82,, then why not
I'm thinking of sending out the engine and turn it into a 383.
my question is to keep the car street-able, I'd like to use a 650 carb. all said and done I'd like to think the engine will be capable of ~ 400 hp at the flywheel, the old automatic tranny will need to be beefed up. but what will i need to do short of buying a different one.
what will I have to do to the transmission to match the new hp to the old transmission
I'm thinking of sending out the engine and turn it into a 383.
my question is to keep the car street-able, I'd like to use a 650 carb. all said and done I'd like to think the engine will be capable of ~ 400 hp at the flywheel, the old automatic tranny will need to be beefed up. but what will i need to do short of buying a different one.
what will I have to do to the transmission to match the new hp to the old transmission
Abby Normal
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 53,452
Likes: 92
From: Press "2" for English
granted, i may be the lone voice of dissent, but i'm not sold on the stroker myself. many people here have built them and love them, i have not. my knowledge consists soley from what i've read and that's why i shy away. still, i think you're stated goals don't quite jive. 400hp and a 650 carb are too far apart for realistic street performance. i think a .030 to .040" over bore on stock stroke with a nice roller cam, decent compression, good heads and about a 700cfm carb should get you somewhere around 350-375 at the flywheel. by that, i mean streetable horsepower. you could probably make 400+ if you wanted but it would be a nasty cam with no vacuum and rough idle, not to mention big fat carb sitting on top of a single plane manifold.
but i will defer to those with more experience in such matters.
but i will defer to those with more experience in such matters.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,943
Likes: 1
From: Rosemount MN
I also have an L-82 and I built a little higher HP stroker than what you're looking to do, let me give you some thoughts.
1) 400 HP is very doable with a 350, check Summit or Edelbrock websites on their Power Package Top End Kits. They promise what you're looking for. Very reasonably priced.
2) Your L-82 bottom end is forged.
3) Build much higher than 400 HP look at total driveline replacement.
4) I have 2 years and more than a few hard miles on my stroker, runs cool and strong, none of the issues that seem to bother other strokers. See item 3), I've broken everything from the bellhousing back.
If I had it to do over again, I'd still build a fire breathing motor, but that may not be the answer for you.
1) 400 HP is very doable with a 350, check Summit or Edelbrock websites on their Power Package Top End Kits. They promise what you're looking for. Very reasonably priced.
2) Your L-82 bottom end is forged.
3) Build much higher than 400 HP look at total driveline replacement.
4) I have 2 years and more than a few hard miles on my stroker, runs cool and strong, none of the issues that seem to bother other strokers. See item 3), I've broken everything from the bellhousing back.
If I had it to do over again, I'd still build a fire breathing motor, but that may not be the answer for you.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
My 385 stroker is a bit more radiacal then you want but I do drive it on the street all the time. Would I want it as a daily driver, he$$ no. I did not build it for that. It has a big solid flat tappet cam and a big 825 Mighty Demon on a single plane intake. It makes 409 RWHP.
Getting back to what you want a 383 with a decent cam and a dual plane intake and a 750ish carb will easily pull in 400 HP and decent torque. The 350 can be built for 400 HP but its manners are not going to be a good as a 400 HP 383. Your looking for torque and the stroker will provide that.
Getting back to what you want a 383 with a decent cam and a dual plane intake and a 750ish carb will easily pull in 400 HP and decent torque. The 350 can be built for 400 HP but its manners are not going to be a good as a 400 HP 383. Your looking for torque and the stroker will provide that.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 7,493
Likes: 1,502
From: Little Rock AR
Started to rebuild a factory L-82,, then why not
I'm thinking of sending out the engine and turn it into a 383.
my question is to keep the car street-able, I'd like to use a 650 carb. all said and done I'd like to think the engine will be capable of ~ 400 hp at the flywheel, the old automatic tranny will need to be beefed up. but what will i need to do short of buying a different one.
what will I have to do to the transmission to match the new hp to the old transmission
I'm thinking of sending out the engine and turn it into a 383.
my question is to keep the car street-able, I'd like to use a 650 carb. all said and done I'd like to think the engine will be capable of ~ 400 hp at the flywheel, the old automatic tranny will need to be beefed up. but what will i need to do short of buying a different one.
what will I have to do to the transmission to match the new hp to the old transmission
The manners will be determined mostly by the cam and compression. Depending on what you are shooting for you could go with a mild Edelbrock Performer head and the 350/350 cam. I know a guy that built one and he liked it a lot. LOTS more bottom end torque (which the 350/350 needs anyway) and plenty of RPM. That would be very reliable and well mannered.
Most guys here want bigger numbers so they use bigger heads and cams but it is a compromise as you move up. One nice thing about a 383 is you can go with narrower lobe centers on the bigger cams to give you higher peak HP while still having adequate torque.
You pays your money, you takes your pick.
As for the tranny, you can add a Trans-Go shift kit and a tranny oil cooler. If you do a mild 383 that might be all you need assuming the tranny is in good shape to begin with.
-Mark.
Last edited by stingr69; Apr 5, 2007 at 08:53 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 1,542
Likes: 43
From: Plano TX
If the L82 needs a rebuild (bore and crank turned) I'd build up a new prepped block in either 350 or 383. Blockes are cheap these days and it lets you save the original motor if you need it later on. Also the L82 heads are lame compared to after market, L98 aluminum (reasonable cost) or vortex heads.
I pulled my L82 and replaced it with a ZZ4.
I pulled my L82 and replaced it with a ZZ4.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 6,357
Likes: 427
From: Seattle Area WA
Years ago I used to run a 383 in my '78 vette with a TH350. I used a chevy 400 crank turned down and Nitrided, Art Carr 3,000 stall converter, a B&M Transpak with an additional trans cooler as my daily driver. I used a 750 Holley DP, small Engle cam, Nitrous, headers w 2 1/2" dual exhaust. For a heavy car it would run low 12s at the old Orange County International Raceway on grudge night. For a daily driver I agree with Mark's comments. The L-82 cam is a perfect cam for a smooth, daily driven and reliable 383. I would even think about keeping the Q-Jet since it has your solenoid for fast throttle assuming you have A/C in the car and run an open element air cleaner. An upgrade to something like Dart Platinum heads would also be my suggestion.
