advise
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1st Gear
Joined: Aug 2011
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advise
I just recieved by first corvette stingray 1972 T-Top. The previous owner stated that it was 350 bored over 60, Hust shift kit and headers but did not have any paper work to show the work was done to the enigne. I will like to upgrade the carb, air intake and the rest of the enigne to get some more power out of it. Just want to know what would be the best performance upgrade for the money. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 805
Likes: 5
From: Naperville Illinois
First let me say that I have not done one of these engines...if I have the money this winter I am going to stroke & bore my 327 to a 383 with new heads, cam, & intake. Roller lifters, roller rockers and headers.
Based on the reading I've done, and assuming you have a good carb (qjet) now, I'm guessing that your best bang for the buck will be heads. I'm sure there are several members that can recommend heads depending on your price range.
Another thing to consider is the rear gear. I went from a 3.08 to a 3.73 and really like it. That change equals a 21% increase in rear wheel torque--I could definitely feel the difference.
Based on the reading I've done, and assuming you have a good carb (qjet) now, I'm guessing that your best bang for the buck will be heads. I'm sure there are several members that can recommend heads depending on your price range.
Another thing to consider is the rear gear. I went from a 3.08 to a 3.73 and really like it. That change equals a 21% increase in rear wheel torque--I could definitely feel the difference.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2000
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From: Southern Indiana
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,231
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From: Seattle WA
St. Jude Donor '14
More information needed - do you have a casting number from the heads? What intake and carb is already on it?
I agree with Mike that I'd start with a solid tune - more HP lost with a bad tune than anything else
I agree with Mike that I'd start with a solid tune - more HP lost with a bad tune than anything else
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 805
Likes: 5
From: Naperville Illinois
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 805
Likes: 5
From: Naperville Illinois
sorry if this is a hijack
Last edited by Rally68; Sep 2, 2011 at 08:04 AM. Reason: misspelling
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,231
Likes: 65
From: Seattle WA
St. Jude Donor '14
I haven't done it or even looked at the concept, but the bore is 4.00, right? I don't know if there are small-journal cranks, but if it has large journals, why wouldn't a standard 383 crank fit? 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 805
Likes: 5
From: Naperville Illinois
Yeah, you can. The large journal 4-inch blocks are all very similar--in fact I've read more than once that GM made engines of 302, 327 and 350 inches from the same casting number.
Most people who have done it seem to agree that the 327 block needs more clearancing (grinding) than the later 350 blocks, but you absolutely can make a 383 from a 327. There are even kits available to stroke a small journal 327.
Most people who have done it seem to agree that the 327 block needs more clearancing (grinding) than the later 350 blocks, but you absolutely can make a 383 from a 327. There are even kits available to stroke a small journal 327.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,231
Likes: 65
From: Seattle WA
St. Jude Donor '14
If structural integrity is the concern due to additional clearancing, a bit of HardBlok at the bottom of the bores would address it and be relatively inexpensive.
If it was me, I'd still start with a newer, roller-cam capable block as they're pretty darn cheap...but it seems that it could be made to work.
If it was me, I'd still start with a newer, roller-cam capable block as they're pretty darn cheap...but it seems that it could be made to work.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,948
Likes: 72
From: Oxford MA-----You just lost the game!!!!
If structural integrity is the concern due to additional clearancing, a bit of HardBlok at the bottom of the bores would address it and be relatively inexpensive.
If it was me, I'd still start with a newer, roller-cam capable block as they're pretty darn cheap...but it seems that it could be made to work.
If it was me, I'd still start with a newer, roller-cam capable block as they're pretty darn cheap...but it seems that it could be made to work.
You should be able to pick up a post '87 350 block somewhere, eventually, for pretty cheap money, use it as the basis for a 383. Single piece rear main seal, roller cam 383 with some nice aluminum heads on it would be a pretty sweet powerplant!
Scott
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 805
Likes: 5
From: Naperville Illinois
vettester can you elaborate? everything i've ever read has said the only differences between the 1968 large (rod) journal 327 and the 350 blocks that followed were 1: main cap size/shape (there were no 4-bolt 327s), 2: cast in-boss for a breather in the top rear of the block by the dist, and 3: crank throw. Cylinder wall thickness, main journal size, etc were the same because the castings were the same. If I am missing something please let me know. I'm going to be bummed if I can't do this...
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 805
Likes: 5
From: Naperville Illinois
That was actually plan A but the motor thats in the car is original (& TIRED) and I don't have anywhere to store it, and I can't afford to do 2 motors.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,948
Likes: 72
From: Oxford MA-----You just lost the game!!!!
I just recieved by first corvette stingray 1972 T-Top. The previous owner stated that it was 350 bored over 60, Hust shift kit and headers but did not have any paper work to show the work was done to the enigne. I will like to upgrade the carb, air intake and the rest of the enigne to get some more power out of it. Just want to know what would be the best performance upgrade for the money. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
You mention that it has headers, but does it have a dual exhaust system with at least 2 1/2" diameter exhaust pipes, and free flowing mufflers? That will give you a good amount of extra power for the money.
Scott
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 805
Likes: 5
From: Naperville Illinois
Yes...
Forgive my thick-headedness in my earlier post...I said rods where I meant mains and vice versa...shouldn't try to post while at work; I can't do 1 thing at once let alone 2...
Also pls forgive the hijack...going to start a new thread
Forgive my thick-headedness in my earlier post...I said rods where I meant mains and vice versa...shouldn't try to post while at work; I can't do 1 thing at once let alone 2...
Also pls forgive the hijack...going to start a new thread