C3 Tech/Performance V8 Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Basic Tech and Maintenance for the C3 Corvette
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Old Apr 17, 2009 | 10:25 PM
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Hello, I have a 79 Vette 355, auto, 355 gears. The engine was rebuilt 5000 miles ago. The engine was bored 30 over. I want to build a 383 stroker w/ heads and 962 cam. Do you think the block is fresh enough to rebuild without reboring? I also want to install four bolt mains, looking for torque and about 425hp. Thanks, al
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Old Apr 17, 2009 | 11:37 PM
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you don't install 4 bolt mains,,, the block is either a 4 bolt or 2 bolt... thats it. you will have to buy a new crank... have machine work done on the block for clearance, and it goes on and on and on.... so, $8k later you will have a kick but 383.....
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Old Apr 18, 2009 | 12:31 AM
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i think the op may be thinking of billet splayed caps. this takes a 2 bolt block and it is angle drilled, converting it to a very strong 4 bolt. my 396 has had this done. here is a pic. clicky the linky.

http://static.summitracing.com/globa...esp-c4102s.jpg

Last edited by 2000FRCZ19; Apr 18, 2009 at 12:39 AM.
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Old Apr 18, 2009 | 12:54 AM
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Originally Posted by 2000FRCZ19
i think the op may be thinking of billet splayed caps. this takes a 2 bolt block and it is angle drilled, converting it to a very strong 4 bolt. my 396 has had this done. here is a pic. clicky the linky.

http://static.summitracing.com/globa...esp-c4102s.jpg
I did the same to my stock 350 when I had the 383 built.
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Old Apr 18, 2009 | 04:45 AM
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Originally Posted by 2000FRCZ19
i think the op may be thinking of billet splayed caps. this takes a 2 bolt block and it is angle drilled, converting it to a very strong 4 bolt. my 396 has had this done. here is a pic. clicky the linky.

http://static.summitracing.com/globa...esp-c4102s.jpg
Wow.... I had no idea... never heard... thx!
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Old Apr 18, 2009 | 05:04 AM
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Originally Posted by Al Davis
Hello, I have a 79 Vette 355, auto, 355 gears. The engine was rebuilt 5000 miles ago. The engine was bored 30 over. I want to build a 383 stroker w/ heads and 962 cam. Do you think the block is fresh enough to rebuild without reboring? I also want to install four bolt mains, looking for torque and about 425hp. Thanks, al
I am no expert. But I had a short block done for me about a year ago. I bet you wouldn't have to rebore anything. Just a quick check to make sure nothing got scored during those 5,000 miles. BUT as others have said you will have to have clearance work done because the rods will hit the side walls.
You don't need 4 bolt mains under 500 hp.
From what I understand a torquey 425 hp is easy to get on a 383.
$8K, thats rediculous. Since you had it rebuilt recently you can do what you want for 2-3K if all you need is a rotating assembly and the clearance work. Ad another 2K for heads. I am told that you don't need forged components under 500hp either. That really keeps the cost down.
Again I am no expert and am just repeating what I have learned and then applied to my own 383 which is not running as I am doing a frame off.
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Old Apr 18, 2009 | 09:10 AM
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Not all of the kits need to be clearanced. I had my engine built and they went with eagle over scat for that reason. They said that it was close and sometimes needed clearanced but not always. I think my total rebuild cost about 4000. forged crank, hyper pistons, vortec heads. Mine didnt need bored. we checked it when we brought it in and it was within an acceptable range ( I think .001-.003,but cant remember for sure).
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Old Apr 18, 2009 | 10:11 AM
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Originally Posted by Al Davis
Hello, I have a 79 Vette 355, auto, 355 gears. The engine was rebuilt 5000 miles ago. The engine was bored 30 over. I want to build a 383 stroker w/ heads and 962 cam. Do you think the block is fresh enough to rebuild without reboring? I also want to install four bolt mains, looking for torque and about 425hp. Thanks, al
Forget the 4 bolt mains and get some ARP main studs for your block. These will be more then enough to handle what your 383 will throw at it. I have seen 600 HP motors last with the 2 bolt main studs setup. Get your heads with 190 cc intake runners as these will produce the torque you want for a street motor. Larger intake runners will get you more into the high RPMs used on race track. Use a cam and intake manifold designed for 1500 to 6000 RPMs and you will have a nice 383 for the street. I am using a CS 286H R10 roller cam from Comp which has a .560 lift and will make all of the bottom end torque you will need for street motor, houstonvett
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Old Apr 18, 2009 | 11:48 AM
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I have read many opinions comparing 2 bolt vs 4 bolt blocks. Many people say a low hp 425 hp 383 street driven motor revved up to a max of 5500 rpms is good to go with a 2 bolt w/ ARP studs. I have read that 4 bolts are designed for performance use with higher hp and high revving applications. I was going to add 4 bolt mains to my block, however, I read that the outer bolts on a 4 bolt block can crack blocks. Then there is the splayed caps, many two bolts can be converted with positive results. Any opinions?
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Old Apr 18, 2009 | 12:18 PM
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Originally Posted by Al Davis
I have read many opinions comparing 2 bolt vs 4 bolt blocks. Many people say a low hp 425 hp 383 street driven motor revved up to a max of 5500 rpms is good to go with a 2 bolt w/ ARP studs. I have read that 4 bolts are designed for performance use with higher hp and high revving applications. I was going to add 4 bolt mains to my block, however, I read that the outer bolts on a 4 bolt block can crack blocks. Then there is the splayed caps, many two bolts can be converted with positive results. Any opinions?
Save your money and go with the 2 bolt mains with ARP studs. The 4 bolt mains are for high revving motors, above 8K to 13K applications If you will be in the 5500 RPM range there is no reason to go to a 4 bolt main motor. When adding 4 bolt mains to a 2 bolt motor you will need to get the new main caps aligned bored and not many shops have an align boring machine. Save your money on the main caps and put it towards a good roller cam setup for your SB, houstonvett
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Old Apr 18, 2009 | 01:54 PM
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If it a street motor it is really just up to you. I just did it because I got them cheap. Not because it needed it. 2 bolt mains will run forever on the street with no problems. You won't see any kind of performance boost from doing it so it all comes down to what you prefer.
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Old Apr 18, 2009 | 04:27 PM
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$8K, thats rediculous. I am in process having my tame 350 crate turned into a 400HP+ 383 at a local engine builder. New SCAT crank and I-Beams, KB pistons and Comp Cam. Total cost = $3K

I would expect that at 5K miles you cylinder wear should be nil. My builder told me he could have honed mine out and not bored if I wanted to at ~40k had .005 wear.

I also agree 2 bolt mains are fine with the ARP studs.
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Old Apr 19, 2009 | 10:06 AM
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I like the Idea of having a 4 Bolt main Block But is it really necessary in a Light Weight Vette Under 500hp, I dont really Know.
I do know Chev. 4bolt Main blocks were standard equipt. in heavy 3/4 ton trucks of the 70's For some reason. Maybe the stress of just get the heavy weight rolling thousands of times.
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Old Apr 19, 2009 | 10:30 AM
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My combo is supposed to produce around 460hp at the crank on my 383. I have 2 bolt mains and like 20k hard miles on it with no problems.
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