383 stroker kit
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: n.y.
383 stroker kit
some kits say they have to be balanced,are they talking about balancing just the crank or other parts also. im looking at the kit that contains the timing gears valve springs lifters etc,also can i use my same heads and just put the new stuff on them
Pro
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 672
Likes: 0
From: Chesapeake Virginia
they balance the crank/pistons/rings/bearings/rods and depending on if you want internal or external balance the flywheel, so there is no vibration at RPM, the timing set and heads don't have anything to do with the rotating assembly balance.
you can get "kits" that are balanced from the manufacturer or you can get individual parts from vendors and then have a machine shop balance them all together.
you can get "kits" that are balanced from the manufacturer or you can get individual parts from vendors and then have a machine shop balance them all together.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: n.y.
383 kit
thank you,can i use my heads or do i have to get different ones,also do i put the motor togethr minus the heads then get it balanced or does the speed shop do everthing themselves then put it gether
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 818
Likes: 0
From: coon rapids mn
you pick pistons to get the compression you want using your heads .what is the cc of your combustion chamber of your current heads ?the machine shop will balance the rotating assembly before putting the short block together .bring the heads you have to the shop and they can help you decide what to do .
Pro
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 672
Likes: 0
From: Chesapeake Virginia
it depends on what heads you have, if your using factory heads you may want to reconsider the stroker kit, the factory heads don't flow very well so they will negate most of the increase the stroker will gain, if your on a tight budget, just go for a rebuild of the original 350 and maybe bump the cam up a bit, that will gain you a few HP and not break the bank. the 350's have plenty of power for a 'vette if it's a street car.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 8,351
Likes: 75
From: Tampa Bay FL
it depends on what heads you have, if your using factory heads you may want to reconsider the stroker kit, the factory heads don't flow very well so they will negate most of the increase the stroker will gain, if your on a tight budget, just go for a rebuild of the original 350 and maybe bump the cam up a bit, that will gain you a few HP and not break the bank. the 350's have plenty of power for a 'vette if it's a street car.
On my combo, I've gone about as far as I can go without adding displacement and still keeping my car very streetable; it is not a 1/4 miler. 180cc intake runner DART heads with Comp Cams Retro roller K-kit. I have .502/.509 gross lift with 1.52 roller rockers. The car is very responsive. I also have carb/distributor tuned for performance, full length headers & true 2.5" dual exhaust, 700R4 and 3.54 gears. I feel this combo is VERY well matched. It is a result of about 16 years of incremental improvement.
Last edited by TedH; Sep 1, 2013 at 09:34 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,736
Likes: 56
From: anchorage ak
It might help if you posted links to what your looking at. Do your self these two favors, 1 as 7t9 said in your previous post,you have a fordged bottom end now which is pretty tough, going to a cast bottom end doesnt make sense, go forged and quality at that such as sumitt racings sca-1-40760bi youd need to call scat to verify if its stroker clearenced. The second is like ted said, if your going to do it, youll notice way more gains out of it with some good flowing heads.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,039
Likes: 62
From: Kona Hawaii
I would not stroke a 350 to 383ci unless increasing cylinder head flow volume. From the posts here, many 383+ builds like 200cc and larger intake runners. You can boost airflow with your stock heads with more cam but even then, you will leave power on the table if you do not increase cylinder head flow volume. An easier way to boost lift w/out cam is to go with 1.6:1 rocker arms. Will increase duration but you normally increase duration with higher lift cam. If you go with new rockers, be sure to replace the pushrods too as the tips normally wear-match to the rocker arms (a tip I picked up here also).
On my combo, I've gone about as far as I can go without adding displacement and still keeping my car very streetable; it is not a 1/4 miler. 180cc intake runner DART heads with Comp Cams Retro roller K-kit. I have .502/.509 gross lift with 1.52 roller rockers. The car is very responsive. I also have carb/distributor tuned for performance, full length headers & true 2.5" dual exhaust, 700R4 and 3.54 gears. I feel this combo is VERY well matched. It is a result of about 16 years of incremental improvement.
On my combo, I've gone about as far as I can go without adding displacement and still keeping my car very streetable; it is not a 1/4 miler. 180cc intake runner DART heads with Comp Cams Retro roller K-kit. I have .502/.509 gross lift with 1.52 roller rockers. The car is very responsive. I also have carb/distributor tuned for performance, full length headers & true 2.5" dual exhaust, 700R4 and 3.54 gears. I feel this combo is VERY well matched. It is a result of about 16 years of incremental improvement.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
