zz383 Good for Me????

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Jun 13, 2008 | 11:57 PM

lethalassault

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Instructor

Joined: May 2008

Posts: 171

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From: Newportville PA

zz383 Good for Me????

I am looking to get a zz383 from Chevy because of the warrenty issues. My local builder says I will love the engine and it is great for long drives and not too much of a race engine.

Other c3 owners say otherwise that it is a race engine and not good for long distance 200k to the shore. They say just to go with a reg 350 with cams.

Does anyone in the forum take there zz383 on long drives? How does it do/start up? How is the gas mileage?

I just need to know if this is a engine for an individual that drives his/her c3 1k a year. I also am planning to match a t-56 with the zz383 with fuel injection.

Please help this is a big decision!!

Jun 14, 2008 | 12:46 AM

Little Mouse

Le Mans Master

Joined: Apr 2006

Posts: 5,403

Likes: 95

I would agree with your engine builder 222 at.050 int. dur.hydraulic roller and 9.7 compression all very mild stuff for an alumunum head 383 size engine. The L/82 350s came from the factory with a 224 at .050 int. dur. cam. This engine should run about forever.

Last edited by Little Mouse; Jun 14, 2008 at 01:25 AM.

Jun 14, 2008 | 01:49 AM

OzzyTom

Burning Brakes

Joined: Dec 2003

Posts: 1,004

Likes: 7

From: Adelaide South Australia

mate.... nothing racey about the zz383.... it is very mild.

I am running a 383 with etec-200 heads and 242/240@0.050 cam with 0.594 lift ..... quite a bit more than the zz383, and I regularly do 200 mile weekend drives with no issues. Just make sure your cooling system is in good order. I installed a Dewitts alloy radiator

An overdrive gearbox is also a great mod. I replaced my th400 auto with a 5sp TKO600 box. Exceptional change in character of the vette. The ratios work so well with the additional torque of the 383. I'm getting better fuel economy now with more than twice the horsepower I had before.

Fuel injection makes it all nice and modern, and gives some additional advantages in overall tuning.
Better fuel economy and maybe better torque spread, but I'd doubt you would get much additional peak power. Nice to have, but pricey. Having said that, I too have considered FI options for future.
The stealth ram systems look like a good setup....

http://www.holley.com/91405201.asp

Go for it.
Build your car up to enjoy it!

Last edited by OzzyTom; Jun 14, 2008 at 02:00 AM.

Jun 14, 2008 | 02:03 AM

woodlandcorvette

Instructor

Joined: Apr 2006

Posts: 212

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From: Woodland Park Colorado

My 383 is great for long trips with a 2004r trans and all that torq it never has to kick down from 4th and gets 18-20 on the highway. You will be happy with it I think its a great engine and should last you a long time with proper maint.

Jun 14, 2008 | 07:39 AM

CorvetteDave01

Burning Brakes

Joined: Mar 2005

Posts: 1,139

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From: Salina Kansas

I had a 383 with Dart Sportsman II 200 cc ports and a 234/244 duration 488/510 lift hydr flat tappet cam and Edelbrock proflo fuel injection in my '76 for about 12 years. It started perfect, ran perfect, took it on the highway all the time, worked fine with the stock radiator and a flex fan and got 17 mpg with the 3.08 rear end and 4-speed. Really a good motor. In town the gas mileage wasn't so good though...

Jun 14, 2008 | 09:57 AM

lethalassault

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Joined: May 2008

Posts: 171

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From: Newportville PA

Thanks Guys for the fast replies on the zz383. I guess you can’t beat that factory gm warranty. So I will order the sb 383. I also am going to put headers on it. I wonder if I will wake the dead??

WOWOWOWzers!!!!

That Holloy FI is a work of art!! Did anyone install it into their c3? I was thinking about going with a mass flow FI system.

So which FI is the best for this zz383???

http://massfloefi.com/

http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku

http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku

http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku

http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku

I also heard that I can raise the HP 10% with FI. Is that True??

Jun 14, 2008 | 10:25 AM

lethalassault

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Joined: May 2008

Posts: 171

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From: Newportville PA

Here are the links again

Edelbrock Performer RPM Pro-Flo2
http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku

ACCEL DFI Street-Ram Fuel Injection Systems for Small Block Chevy
http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku

Holley Commander 950
http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku

Holley Stealth Ram MPFI

http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku

Jun 14, 2008 | 10:28 AM

lethalassault

Thread Starter

Instructor

Joined: May 2008

Posts: 171

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From: Newportville PA

Also will the below 2 FI systems fit under my stock hood (Holley Stealth or ACCEL DFI Street-Ram )? If not can they be milled down. If so is it a realistic mill job or one mistake and I have to throw everything out

http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku

http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku

Thanks for everyones help....so many choices