To spray or not ?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 644
Likes: 15
From: Clarksville Tennessee
To spray or not ?
I was a little disappointed of my time at the track with my new 383. 
My best time was 13.4 @101 mph...... 60' 1.7.... The rear gear is 2.73's with a 2600 stall stock tranny on street tires (Nov 19 @ Beach Bend in Bowling Green, Ky.) . I would like to hear you guys in put on the idea I was thinking of trying as a alternate to installing a super ram. My 383 has less than 1500 mile on it. I had the bottom end built to with stand nitrous( Roller Comp cam, Dart alum heads). I still have the stock plenum and runners on the engine. With the stock plenum and runners reducing the power on the high end of the power band , I thought of installing a nitrous system that would kick in around 4500 rpm to compensate.
Would this do me good or not in terms of getting better times in the 1/8 and 1/4?
Sticky tires is in the bag for my new editions. swaping the rear gears is something I plan on doing , but Locating a D44 for a reasonable price may take a few weeks.
My best time was 13.4 @101 mph...... 60' 1.7.... The rear gear is 2.73's with a 2600 stall stock tranny on street tires (Nov 19 @ Beach Bend in Bowling Green, Ky.) . I would like to hear you guys in put on the idea I was thinking of trying as a alternate to installing a super ram. My 383 has less than 1500 mile on it. I had the bottom end built to with stand nitrous( Roller Comp cam, Dart alum heads). I still have the stock plenum and runners on the engine. With the stock plenum and runners reducing the power on the high end of the power band , I thought of installing a nitrous system that would kick in around 4500 rpm to compensate. Would this do me good or not in terms of getting better times in the 1/8 and 1/4?
Sticky tires is in the bag for my new editions. swaping the rear gears is something I plan on doing , but Locating a D44 for a reasonable price may take a few weeks.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 781
Likes: 0
How often do you race (1/4, 1/8) and how important is it to you that you turn respectable numbers? What kind of performance do you want on the street. My questions are leading up to recommendations that DO NOT involve nitrous. Definitely a gear change is in order. Your 60' times are decent, so it is obvious that you are running out of motor, which cannot be replaced with nitrous. Stock TPI intakes/plenums will choke a 305, not to mention a 383. Can you guess where I am headed?
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 4,532
Likes: 7
From: Lahaina Hi
That is like squeezing a watermellon through a straw.
Your 60' time is about in the 12's with a 1.7 but the mile per hour and the gearing is not .
Just to change the gears will not do it .
You need to get the engine to breath, some exaust and most likely a chip or TUNE,better intake.If in doubt carb it out!
If nitrous can get in and can't get out then it will go up,like they call me at the track Kaboom!
The gain with the nitrous will be their, but the trans will go and every thing else in a short time.
All the car will do ,with the nitrous is build heat and torque and break stuff.
Your 60' time is about in the 12's with a 1.7 but the mile per hour and the gearing is not .
Just to change the gears will not do it .
You need to get the engine to breath, some exaust and most likely a chip or TUNE,better intake.If in doubt carb it out!
If nitrous can get in and can't get out then it will go up,like they call me at the track Kaboom!
The gain with the nitrous will be their, but the trans will go and every thing else in a short time.
All the car will do ,with the nitrous is build heat and torque and break stuff.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 914
Likes: 1
From: Redding Ca
It seems to me you are trying to compensate for limited breathing. 
Everything you are considering, and is suggested above will help. But you must do something with the stock runners (and manifold?) if you expect to realize the potential of your engine. You should be able to run at least high 12's without nitrous or even a gear change because your 60-footers are good. Sticky tires and decent breathing should put you there. 
Everything you are considering, and is suggested above will help. But you must do something with the stock runners (and manifold?) if you expect to realize the potential of your engine. You should be able to run at least high 12's without nitrous or even a gear change because your 60-footers are good. Sticky tires and decent breathing should put you there.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,379
Likes: 4
From: rome ny
the use of nos in small doses will not break things if used properly. 100 hp shot could be used for years without problems.
the rpms that you motor likes to turn is not going to be changed by adding nos. if you shift at 5500 the you should still shift at that rpm when you spray, maybe even less. i turned faster times shifting 300 rpms less when i sprayed mine.
you really do need a good intake setup, but if for the time being you wanted to spray a 100 shot it should be good for close to a full second on your car.
depending on your cam even if you installed an acell base and large tubes with those 60 ft times you should be in the mid 12's.
the rpms that you motor likes to turn is not going to be changed by adding nos. if you shift at 5500 the you should still shift at that rpm when you spray, maybe even less. i turned faster times shifting 300 rpms less when i sprayed mine.
you really do need a good intake setup, but if for the time being you wanted to spray a 100 shot it should be good for close to a full second on your car.
depending on your cam even if you installed an acell base and large tubes with those 60 ft times you should be in the mid 12's.
Pro
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 635
Likes: 6
From: New Jersey
Change the runners first then spray it, I had the same problem with my 86 it would only go 13.3s and 13.4s til i changed the intake, a good set of heads and a cam is a waste of money if you can't take advantge of the higher RPMs to make more power.
Randy
Randy
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
Originally Posted by rlane5
Change the runners first then spray it, I had the same problem with my 86 it would only go 13.3s and 13.4s til i changed the intake, a good set of heads and a cam is a waste of money if you can't take advantge of the higher RPMs to make more power.
Randy
Randy
Your intake is killing you. Try upgrading before you spray.
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Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 644
Likes: 15
From: Clarksville Tennessee
Hey thanks guys!! I'm at the local track every weekend if the weather is good. Having good numbers at the end of a run means a lot to me. When I invest time and money in my car it's great to see a good end result on the time slip. I plan to put the nitrous on hold for a while. At least until I get the basic items (super ram, sticky tire, and gears). Besides there's this Ford Lightning that I need to put to rest. (He cross the line with a 8.3 to my 8.4 in the 1/8 mile)
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,110
Likes: 0
From: JUPITER FLORIDA
Yeah I was reading about the stock tpi and it was made more for 305's than 350's so if that is true, your 383 problalby feels like its chocking to death. I agree with everyone on the super ram. Im still thinking about a sr too, But I have a huge list of stuff already that im gonna do.
Race Director
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 10,749
Likes: 41
Originally Posted by rssshen vette
I was a little disappointed of my time at the track with my new 383. My best time was 13.4 @101 mph...... 60' 1.7.... The rear gear is 2.73's with a 2600 stall stock tranny on street tires (Nov 19 @ Beach Bend in Bowling Green, Ky.) . I would like to hear you guys in put on the idea I was thinking of trying as a alternate to installing a super ram. My 383 has less than 1500 mile on it. I had the bottom end built to with stand nitrous( Roller Comp cam, Dart alum heads). I still have the stock plenum and runners on the engine. With the stock plenum and runners reducing the power on the high end of the power band , I thought of installing a nitrous system that would kick in around 4500 rpm to compensate.
Would this do me good or not in terms of getting better times in the 1/8 and 1/4?
Sticky tires is in the bag for my new editions. swaping the rear gears is something I plan on doing , but Locating a D44 for a reasonable price may take a few weeks.
My best time was 13.4 @101 mph...... 60' 1.7.... The rear gear is 2.73's with a 2600 stall stock tranny on street tires (Nov 19 @ Beach Bend in Bowling Green, Ky.) . I would like to hear you guys in put on the idea I was thinking of trying as a alternate to installing a super ram. My 383 has less than 1500 mile on it. I had the bottom end built to with stand nitrous( Roller Comp cam, Dart alum heads). I still have the stock plenum and runners on the engine. With the stock plenum and runners reducing the power on the high end of the power band , I thought of installing a nitrous system that would kick in around 4500 rpm to compensate. Would this do me good or not in terms of getting better times in the 1/8 and 1/4?
Sticky tires is in the bag for my new editions. swaping the rear gears is something I plan on doing , but Locating a D44 for a reasonable price may take a few weeks.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,524
Likes: 10
From: Lufkin Texas
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
Originally Posted by 88BlackZ-51
something isnt right, i trapped at 101, and my motor is bone stock.
I run consistant low 12's with a 12.0 best at 111 mph with my mostly stock 90 l98 with lt headers and a 125 shot, 2:59 gears, stock converter and drag radials. It runs high 13's without the spray. That 383 should have alot more in it. I agree with the others in that the stock intake is a restriction. If you dont have headers, that will help also. You gotta get the air in , and out.A dyno tune may yield some hidden ponies. Nitrous will definetly trim your numbers but you should get a tune and have better numbers before adding nitrous. Theres more hiding in that 383 than what your finding now. I suggest you find it then if your not satisfied, if you're built for it, by all means, spray away.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,951
Likes: 3
From: Mount Vernon OH
Spray it
Actually you could spray it now, shift it early at lower RPM's and keep it in the torque band and pull through the gears to probably 4500 rpm. You could put 125 to 150 jets in it and blast past your times and run 12's very easily with this setup. Your intake is not a problem unless you are trying to spin the engine higher RPM. I absolutely agree that your intake is a limiting factor but you could still go 12's with your current setup. If you want some safety margin run colder plugs and premium fuel. When you are making more power and torque you will find your weak links in your car so be prepared.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,524
Likes: 10
From: Lufkin Texas
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
Originally Posted by NitrousSam
Actually you could spray it now, shift it early at lower RPM's and keep it in the torque band and pull through the gears to probably 4500 rpm. You could put 125 to 150 jets in it and blast past your times and run 12's very easily with this setup. Your intake is not a problem unless you are trying to spin the engine higher RPM. I absolutely agree that your intake is a limiting factor but you could still go 12's with your current setup. If you want some safety margin run colder plugs and premium fuel. When you are making more power and torque you will find your weak links in your car so be prepared.
He might find himself easily in the 11's with DR's, a tune and spray. 