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I recently spun a rod bearing in the factory numbers matching L-48 350 and ruined the crank. The engine needed .030 over bore to clean up and I've opted to go with a 383 stroker kit. I also have factory GM 1999 062 L31 Vortec heads that I will be using and will be getting the lift issues taken care of by my machinist. My 76 Vette is an a/c car with power brakes and I know I'm limited with my camshaft selection due to needing plenty of vacuum. I have headers with 2.5 inch exhaust and I wish to stay with my stock torque converter. I would like to get your recommendations on a great cam selection to go with my components.
I could've sworn I heard a guideline to just figure out the attributes you want from your cam and use the typical SBC 350 guidelines for duration and just add 10 degrees for a 383.
Straub - any feelings on the SUPER simple guideline?
I could be wrong on this but it is my understanding that the Vortec heads are a little weak on the exhaust side and this has me leaning toward a split pattern profile with more lift and duration on the exhaust side.
I could be wrong on this but it is my understanding that the Vortec heads are a little weak on the exhaust side and this has me leaning toward a split pattern profile with more lift and duration on the exhaust side.
Don't need more lift. Vortec heads hit the wall at 520 lift. 12 degrees extra exhaust duration is plenty of split.
Last edited by 63mako; May 24, 2017 at 08:46 PM.
Reason: typo
I could be wrong on this but it is my understanding that the Vortec heads are a little weak on the exhaust side and this has me leaning toward a split pattern profile with more lift and duration on the exhaust side.
The cam Chris recommended already has 12 more degrees on the exhaust side. More lift on the exhaust isn't going to gain you anything.
My 383 has 222/222 hydraulic roller cam. Plenty of vacuum and torque is good. If I were to do it over, I would probably go with a little more cam, and maybe consider split duration. I think the engine could handle it.
I'm forever the conservative and I'm currently looking hard at Howard's 269/279 215/225 .455 .465 with 112 LC. Again, I have a stock converter, a/c, and power brakes. What do you guys think? Too conservative????
I'm forever the conservative and I'm currently looking hard at Howard's 269/279 215/225 .455 .465 with 112 LC. Again, I have a stock converter, a/c, and power brakes. What do you guys think? Too conservative????
Too conservative, based on my experience. I had a flat tappet hyd cam in my 383, with 218/224 duration. I would get some detonation at part throttle going up hills etc. Switched to a roller with 225/232 duration, and no more detonation.
Another concern I have is the need for a small base circle cam if I go large. Your thoughts?
I do not have a small base circle cam in mine. In fact I was unaware that small base circle cams existed back when I built my engine. I did know that I had to check the clearance between the cam and the connecting rods, which I did, but there was no problem.
Straub has already done the homework on this his recommendtaions are about as good as it gets. 215@050 will act and sound stock on a 383..you will probably wish youd have gone bigger.(will still run good though)
Straub has already done the homework on this his recommendtaions are about as good as it gets. 215@050 will act and sound stock on a 383..you will probably wish youd have gone bigger.(will still run good though)
The 11" of vacuum bothers me. I'm thinking I'll have a hard brake pedal.