C3 Tech/Performance V8 Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Basic Tech and Maintenance for the C3 Corvette
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

383 camshaft selection

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 1, 2010 | 11:03 PM
  #1  
Bowerss2's Avatar
Bowerss2
Thread Starter
Safety Car
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 4,435
Likes: 9
From: Kalamazoo Mi
Default 383 camshaft selection

i need some advice on choosing a good camshaft for a 383 build. The goal is in the mid 400s for power (not more then 480hp)

Specs;
Brodix IK180 64cc heads;
.030 over bore;
Full length headers;
11.3:1 comp ratio;
Intake 2X4 carbs (thinking about switching to MPFI)


i hear that 110 lobe separation is best for 383s; why is that?

thanks all
Reply
Old Nov 1, 2010 | 11:41 PM
  #2  
gkull's Avatar
gkull
Team Owner
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
Default

Your problem with 11.3 is enough cam to get your dynamic compression down. You need at least 236 intake with a roller cam. I don't know much about flat tappet cams. But it might take something like advertised 284 to work

180 cc is very restrictive. 200 or 210 215 cc Darts work nice on small motors like a 383
Reply
Old Nov 1, 2010 | 11:41 PM
  #3  
cv67's Avatar
cv67
Team Owner
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
Default

No set rule of thumb on what LSA is best for any engine most go with it because it seems to be popular/everyone esle does type thing.

Depends a lot on needs, driving idle vacuum powerband range etc.
Reply
Old Nov 1, 2010 | 11:56 PM
  #4  
gkull's Avatar
gkull
Team Owner
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
Default

I have a 112 SR 236/242 on my 383 and it is pretty nice with a 5 speed

It depends on your whole motor as to what lobe center works best. 110 and lower gives the motor lots of overlap and the race car idle. Miles per gallon goes down also.

I had bad detonation problems with a 232/238 SR cam

Last edited by gkull; Nov 2, 2010 at 10:03 AM.
Reply
Old Nov 2, 2010 | 09:34 AM
  #5  
gingerbreadman1977's Avatar
gingerbreadman1977
Drifting
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,911
Likes: 2
From: gold coast queensland
Default

your compression ratio is quite high for the rest of your combo but i would go no further than crane 119611 from the powermax series. its a small base circle roller cam retrofit so you will have no clearance issues . its a 112 lobe centre so you will have no vacum issues and will put you right around the 450 hp mark with great torque. you will need a 3000 stall or similar if you are driving an auto and at least 355 gears but other than that you will be smiling all the way from light to light.
Reply
Old Nov 2, 2010 | 10:21 AM
  #6  
DRIVESHAFT's Avatar
DRIVESHAFT
Drifting
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,682
Likes: 3
From: League City TX
Default

Here is a Crane hydraulic roller that will do what you want. http://www.cranecams.com/product/car...detail&p=24188
The next smaller one would probably work too, but the DCR is a bit high. http://www.cranecams.com/product/car...detail&p=24192

Last edited by DRIVESHAFT; Nov 2, 2010 at 10:25 AM.
Reply
Old Nov 2, 2010 | 11:55 AM
  #7  
BLOCKMAN's Avatar
BLOCKMAN
Drifting
 
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,360
Likes: 3
From: NORTHEAST
Default

11:03 with an aluminum heads is really not that bad we have done some 1:05 engines and no issues with Pump gas.

In this link Ken built a 383 engine and used a HYD roller the specs are posted and I talked to him last week and said at 40 miles an hour he can rip the tires off his car.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...-my-383ci.html
Reply
Old Nov 2, 2010 | 01:23 PM
  #8  
pauldana's Avatar
pauldana
Race Director
Supporting Member
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 10,956
Likes: 409
From: California
Default

I am running the Edelbrock signature series retro roller cam... 10.5:1 compression, 440tq at the rear wheels..
but i have fond out how important the heads are in all this, that is to say the valve train itself.... SPRINGS, RR's, and LIFTERS...... in my case in changing out the springs, rr's and lifters, it was a difference of at least 50+HP..... these small things became major problems for me.... just FYI.... dont want to see you fight the same gremlins as I did...
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-6

Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
story-9

2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

 Joe Kucinski
Old Nov 2, 2010 | 01:23 PM
  #9  
Nobody.'s Avatar
Nobody.
Instructor
 
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 138
Likes: 2
From: Buies Creek NC
Default

For my '81 Vette street car, I built my 385 (.040" over) out of an '86up roller block and used a Crane billet HR part# 109841. It's 234/242 @ .050" on a 112 LSA. I used an old set of 487 LT1 iron heads milled to 71cc with 2.05/1.60 valves and professionally ported. Compression is at 9.8:1 with flattop SRP's. Motor is in the car but not running yet. 200r4 trans and a 2800 converter. I'm rebuilding the rear with a new gear (3.73), bearings, and bushings. Should be on the road later this month.
Reply
Old Nov 2, 2010 | 09:24 PM
  #10  
BLOCKMAN's Avatar
BLOCKMAN
Drifting
 
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,360
Likes: 3
From: NORTHEAST
Default

Originally Posted by Bowerss2
i need some advice on choosing a good camshaft for a 383 build. The goal is in the mid 400s for power (not more then 480hp)

Specs;
Brodix IK180 64cc heads;
.030 over bore;
Full length headers;
11.3:1 comp ratio;
Intake 2X4 carbs (thinking about switching to MPFI)


i hear that 110 lobe separation is best for 383s; why is that?

thanks all

It would be a good idea to pour the chambers of your heads to find out what they really are!!

We poured a set of AFR's that were suppose to be 65CC and when we checked them they were actually 67.5 which worked out perfect for our build.
Reply
Old Nov 2, 2010 | 09:31 PM
  #11  
Bowerss2's Avatar
Bowerss2
Thread Starter
Safety Car
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 4,435
Likes: 9
From: Kalamazoo Mi
Default

Originally Posted by BLOCKMAN
It would be a good idea to pour the chambers of your heads to find out what they really are!!

We poured a set of AFR's that were suppose to be 65CC and when we checked them they were actually 67.5 which worked out perfect for our build.
very good idea i will do that tonight
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To 383 camshaft selection





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 05:44 PM.

story-0
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-1
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-4
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-8
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE
story-9
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette lineup vs the world.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-24 16:12:42


VIEW MORE