I've built a fair share of 327's and 350's over the years, but have never built a 383 from scratch.
I've done my research here in the archives along with a few other forums.
What I am looking for is a recommendation for a book that just shows the steps involved in building a modest 500 hp 383. Specifically, I am looking for diagrams or pics showing the clearancing for the crank and the cam.
Most Hi Perf books give you a single chapter on the 383.
I've searched Amazon, Ebay, Waldenbooks, etc for this specific book but with no real success.
Any suggestions out there?
Thanks for the help!
Bman

 

Some of the better machine shops simply CNC clearance your block for the added crank throw. Otherwise you just use a die grinder and take off what is needed after a fit up, taking off only enough material to obtain adequate clearance and not run into a water jacket. It usually takes several mock ups to get it right. There are a few threads with pics of blocks clearanced.

 

Some kits doesn't require grinding of the engineblock, I installed a 383 kit from OhioCrank in a 010 block and no grinding was required to make it fit.

 

Being mostly a BB guy nowadays I've yet to add a copy of it to my library, but have you check out "How to Build Big-Inch Chevy Small Blocks" (Cartech)?

Just to make sure you're aware, one of the things that catches some people out when stroking SB's is potential rod/cam clearance, so consider this a heads up on that as depending on your rods you could be required to go with a small base circle camshaft. Also, some shops only clearance one side of each rod, so watch for that too.

 

[QUOTE=TheSkunkWorks;1564325192]Being mostly a BB guy nowadays I've yet to add a copy of it to my library, but have you check out "How to Build Big-Inch Chevy Small Blocks" (Cartech)?

I have that book sitting in front of me right know. Great book, tons of good info and recommendations. When I built my 383 last fall this book helped more then a few times as I am a novice builder.
Jake

 

Thanks to all for posting!
This is exactly what I was looking for.
I'll post some pics "when" I build it.
Bman

 

Check out the pic that dgruenke posted of his block, it will give you an idea of what to expect. Some castings will require more clearancing than others regardless of parts used.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1910535

 

Thanks Scott. That link was helpful. Pics are always a plus. Especially interesting was the tip on using solder to determine clearance. BTW
I ordered the book used thru Amazon for $13. Picked up the "Engine Builder's Handbook" by Tom Monroe for $12. More night time reading!
Thanks again y'all
Bman

PS Your site is a wealth of info also.

 

Is there such a thing as a "MODEST" 500hp 383ci SBC? To me, something about it (cam, single plane, etc) will have to be fairly radical to get 500 ponies out of that little displacement.

Of course, if you have the recipe, please share!

 

Well modest may have not been the best choice of words, but 500 hp is very doable. and streetable.
In the HP Book Chevy Small Block - Cams & Valvetrains they post dyno tests for 8 different engines. Two of the 383s did 490 and 529 hp. First one with a hyd roller cam and 2nd one with a mech roller cam. The hyd roller setup was: Trcik Flow alum heads 215 cc, Comp Cams Xtreme Energy 282 hyd roller, 1.5 roller rockers, Edeldbrock RPM Air Gap dual plane, no mention on pistons, compression or carb. Mech roller setup was: Scat crank, forged rods and SRP pistons with 10.5:1 compression, Dart Pro heads 215 cc, Crane roller cam 294/302, 1.5 roller rockers, Edelbrock Super Victor and Barry Grant 775cfm Race Demon carb. Definitely a little more radical.
In Chevy High Performance magazine Dec 2006 issue they had a lenghty 383 article. Did 6 different setups. The bottom end was all forged and compression was 10.6:1, heads were AFR 195 Street Eliminator, Comp Cam Xtreme Energy 284 with 1.6 roller rockers, Edelbrock Victor Jr and a 750 Mighty Demon. 523hp was best result with a 2" carb spacer.

As of now I have collected most of my parts for this build. 4 bolt 350 block bored .30 over (3970010 block). I'll go with FastBurn GM alum heads(vortec), forged lower end - mainly Scat, still looking for pistons (looking for 10-10.5 compression when done), Edelbrock Air Gap manifold w/ 1" alum spacer,770 cfm Street Avenger.1.5 or 1.6 roller rockers with stud girdle. 7 qt oil pan and HV Melling oil pump. Windage tray. ARP studs everywhere. Cam choice is still big issue. I have a leftover Crane PowerMax 272 from a 350ci build but that probably won't give me what I want. Still working on it.
Throw in some minor porting and 1 3/4" Hedman headers. Dual 2 1/2" (maybe 3") exhaust with "H" or "X" coss pipe.
So my "modest" is also price wise. All of these parts are new but I found them all for less than retail by shopping Ebay for the last 6 months.

Like I said earlier - I'll document and post as I do it. Then I'll see what the dyno says.
Eventually this will tie up to a beefed up T-5 with 2.95 1st gear and a 4.10 rear end.

Any suggestions or advice is always welcomed. Txs

Peace
Bman

 

You may want to rethink the T5 with a motor like that, esp if you plan on using much of that 500hp and the abundance of torque that will come with it. A Tremec 5 speed or T56 6 speed will handle it no problem, but a T5 is going to be on borrowed time.

 

I agree but cost is the issue for the time being. Also Norvahl ran high HP with his big block and a beefed up T5. And Paul at 5 speeds has the parts to beef this unit up. I just won't be slamming second to third
But thanks for the suggestion.
I'll let you know what happens after it is all back together.

Bman