C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

Some dumb 383 stroker questions

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Old Dec 9, 2006 | 08:35 PM
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Default Some dumb 383 stroker questions

I was thinking it would be nice to have a bit more HP than my LT1 has now. Thought I would go the stroker route, not sure if it will be 383 or 406. I would like to hear from you guys that have them to see if you are happy with them. There are a few things I would like to know before I start looking into this.
First off let me tell you that I have a 92 LT1 with a 4 spd auto and a dana 44 with 3.07 gears. There are about 25000 miles on them. What I would like to know is...

1. Will the trans and rear end handle the motor or will there need to be work done on them.

2. Will the computer need to be reprogramed or replaced.

3. What about the tack, will I need a new one with a higher red line.

4. Sould I have my motor done or buy one that is built.

5. How much difference would there be in performance with the stroker from the LT1.

6. Is it worth the cost, would you do it again if you had a choice.

I would not be drag racing the car and it is not a DD, it is just for weekend use so gas milage is not an issue. Would you say it is worth the effort and the cost to go this route. I was only looking to spend about 7-8 thousand on this, or am I dreaming?
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Old Dec 9, 2006 | 08:48 PM
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1. Are you sure you have a D44?
2. Yes, the computer will need to be reprogrammed.
3. If you plan on running the new engine above 6000 rpms and want to see what rpms you are turning, you will need an LT4 tach. I use a shift-light to see where to shift.
4. I would at least buy a built short block.
5. Alot more torque with the 383.
6. I would look into doing heads/cam, if your engine is in good shape.
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Old Dec 9, 2006 | 08:52 PM
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I must say, your in the right direction asking these questions and knowing what your about to get into...I just kinda fell into getting my 383 done on my 85, the performance is more, not sure how much more though, haven't dyno'd it since rebuild. But as for the drivetrain, you don't have to mess with that--will handle alot more than 383 upgrade, as for whether to buy a motor or build yours, probably best to build on your motor, I would HIGHLY recommend upgrading the heads and cam--to do it over again I would have gotten the AFR heads instead of the edelbrocks with a roller cam
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Old Dec 9, 2006 | 08:57 PM
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Only 25k on my motor. Yes I have the performance package with 3.07 gears. I could go with the LT4 hot cam and heads but I am not sure that would be what I am looking for as far as torque and HP. What kind of a gain would you think I would get if I went that route?
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Old Dec 9, 2006 | 09:02 PM
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The performance package with the A4 still only has a D36.

With a heads cam package you will see 350-400 rwhp and 330-375 rwtq. Depends on how radical you want to go.
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Old Dec 9, 2006 | 09:07 PM
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Originally Posted by chillcat
I must say, your in the right direction asking these questions and knowing what your about to get into...I just kinda fell into getting my 383 done on my 85, the performance is more, not sure how much more though, haven't dyno'd it since rebuild. But as for the drivetrain, you don't have to mess with that--will handle alot more than 383 upgrade, as for whether to buy a motor or build yours, probably best to build on your motor, I would HIGHLY recommend upgrading the heads and cam--to do it over again I would have gotten the AFR heads instead of the edelbrocks with a roller cam
Thanks for your replies, this is just what I am looking for. I thought it would be best to ask the guys that know and have the setup I am thinking about. The down side is I do not have the know how to do this myself, that why I am here. I am just thinking about it at this point and want to find out all I can.
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Old Dec 9, 2006 | 09:07 PM
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Personally, if I were going to spend the money to stroke the motor I'd go ahead and get the 406 because I know I'd want it a little further down the road if I'd gone with the 383.
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Old Dec 9, 2006 | 09:10 PM
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Originally Posted by hngacurv
Personally, if I were going to spend the money to stroke the motor I'd go ahead and get the 406 because I know I'd want it a little further down the road if I'd gone with the 383.
I've yet to see a 406 LT1. 383, 396 yes, and ocassionally a 409.
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Old Dec 9, 2006 | 09:11 PM
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Originally Posted by STL94LT1
The performance package with the A4 still only has a D36.

With a heads cam package you will see 350-400 rwhp and 330-375 rwtq. Depends on how radical you want to go.
You may be right, but there was a thread on rpo codes and I checked mine. Unless I am mistaken I could have sworn it says Dana 44 3.07
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Old Dec 9, 2006 | 09:13 PM
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No LT1 auto's came from the factory with D44's. It sounds like you do have the 3.07 performance package, but that came with a D36.
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Old Dec 9, 2006 | 09:14 PM
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Originally Posted by STL94LT1
I've yet to see a 406 LT1. 383, 396 yes, and ocassionally a 409.
I guess I would have the first one then just joking you are right my mistake. If I do this it would be the 396.
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Old Dec 9, 2006 | 09:18 PM
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Originally Posted by STL94LT1
No LT1 auto's came from the factory with D44's. It sounds like you do have the 3.07 performance package, but that came with a D36.
Will the D36 handle an upgrade like this? and thanks for the info, you guys have alot to teach me as you can see.
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Old Dec 9, 2006 | 09:19 PM
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With such low mileage on your engine. I would go with a nice heads/cam package. I think you would be very impressed how your stock short-block would run.
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Old Dec 9, 2006 | 09:19 PM
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Originally Posted by STL94LT1
I've yet to see a 406 LT1. 383, 396 yes, and ocassionally a 409.
Are you saying that people choose not to get it due to performance with the intake? Just trying to understand why not.
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Old Dec 9, 2006 | 09:22 PM
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A D36 probably won't hold up to the torque of a 383/396.

The only 406 ci engines that I have seen are a bored 400 block, and you can't run a 400 block with the LT1 heads.
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Old Dec 9, 2006 | 09:29 PM
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Originally Posted by STL94LT1
A D36 probably won't hold up to the torque of a 383/396.

The only 406 ci engines that I have seen are a bored 400 block, and you can't run a 400 block with the LT1 heads.
So with the cam/heads the rear end should be ok then? What cam/heads would you go with?
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Old Dec 9, 2006 | 09:29 PM
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Originally Posted by STL94LT1
A D36 probably won't hold up to the torque of a 383/396.

The only 406 ci engines that I have seen are a bored 400 block, and you can't run a 400 block with the LT1 heads.
I wasn't thinking about the block size too much until you brought it up and the particular 406 I started thinking of earlier was from a 400 block. Scratch my 406 idea then.
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To Some dumb 383 stroker questions

Old Dec 9, 2006 | 09:35 PM
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No RPO number says "Dana 44 3.07". RPO option number G44 says, "Axle, Rear, 3.07 Ratio". All C4 automatics came with the D36 differential. Both the D36 and the D44 were available with 3.07 gears. RPO number G87, "Gear, Ring, 8.50 Inch" is the only RPO that designated a Dana 44 diff.

Originally Posted by scooter1054
I was thinking it would be nice to have a bit more HP than my LT1 has now. Thought I would go the stroker route, not sure if it will be 383 or 406.
The 406's you routinely see on here are a Gen I 400 block bored .030" over sized. The 400 has a 4.125" standard bore. Your Gen II, LT1, has a 4.00" bore. There were never any Gen II engines with the larger bore. The Gen I, 400, will not accommodate your reverse flow cooling nor your opti spark. Nothing is impossible and maybe you will come up with a bore and stroke for your Gen II engine that will make 406 CID, but it won't be the popular 4.155" X 3.75".

RACE ON!!!
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Old Dec 9, 2006 | 09:40 PM
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Originally Posted by scooter1054
What cam/heads would you go with?
I would do some research on the top head porters, most offer a matching camshaft. Then give each one a call. See which one you feel comfortable with, and let him do your work. I chose CNC Cylinder Heads in Florida. Pete from CNC seemed able to answer all my question, and I had many.
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Old Dec 9, 2006 | 11:25 PM
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Contact Chad Golen at Golen Engine Service. He will be able to answer your questions. I think LT-1 heads flow better than the L98's so you may be able to work them a liltle instead of new heads. He is out of New Hampshire. I ordered a 383 short block from him and it shipped to my door in Florida. I have been very happy with it. Look him up on the internet and then call him!
John
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