i had a taste of a 383 the other day, and im seriously concidering a 383 stroker for my 87 now, but there are a few things im wondering about which are holding me back.
the first (and major) one is whether or not my stock auto transmision is going to be ok. the car is an 87 auto with 2.59 gears from factory and the 383 would be of the most basic variety, consisting of

SCAT 9000 SERIES CRANKSHAFT

SCAT I BEAM STEEL CONRODS

FLAT OR DISH TOP HYPERUTECTIC PISTONS

MOLY RINGS

NEW MAIN & BIG END BEARINGS

MACHINING OF BLOCK , BALANCING , NEW OIL PUMP , TIMING CHAIN SET . WATER PUMP ETC

if i go ahead with this ill be getting someone to do it all, as i dont trust myself as yet.

do i also need to get the ecm re-programed?

i will also be doing it before i get some headers to replace the stock units, will this be a problem (other than the fact they will rob power)?

any help is appreciated.

 

Yes, it'll need a chip redone to run right, but dont do this unless youre going to change the camshaft.

What are you asking about headers robbing power? They dont.

What I can say is that if you have a tranny cooler, it should be ok for quite awhile. But you cant say it'll last forever behind one even in that case. As long as its street driven, I wouldnt give alot of thought to it yet, just know that sometime it will need to be beefed up some.

 

thanks Vader, you have always given me good info in the past.

i was talking about the stock headers, i hear they are the first things i should replace on my Vette, cos they restrict flow?
i dont have a trans cooler, but it will be on the list now, the car will be street driven for the most part, but maybe once a year there will be a strip run or two. i realise that the auto trans will not last forever and a beef up will be on the list in the future, i just wanted to make sure for the 'now'.

just so i get this right.... if i dont change the cam, i dont necessarily need a chip... right?

much appreciated

 

If you stroke it definitely do ont use the stock L98 cam. Move up at least 10 deg duration or more. Just do it, youll love it. And yes, it will need a tune. May start and run on a stock tune but I wouldnt leave it like that.

 

hey i was thinking about doing a 383 stroker this winter. where are you going for your kit? Can you post results?

 

Yes the stock manifolds need to go.

You need a chip either way. 383 will need the tuning.

 

2 winters ago, I rebuilt the engine in my Camaro, and bored / stroked it to 383. After considerable study, I went with a local machinist for both the parts and machine work. I assembled and installed the new engine.

you get what you pay for with this stuff. The sub $1000 mail order stroker kits are less than the greatest.

A factory balanced assembly more often than not is less than perfect.

Many if these parts, particularly connecting rods, will require some work before use, even tho they are new. Everything must be checked.

I used the (internal balance) scat 9000 crank. It's a good piece, and will take 550HP or so.

I used Scat 6" I-beam 7/16" capscrew rods. These are ground on the beam ends, and will clear standard base circle cams.

IMHO forged pistons are a worthwhile upgrade, particularly if you use 6" rods. My SRP's are VERY small and very light, the pin goes right thru the oil ring, and the extra strength of a forged peice makes sense here.

The block will require some clearancing for this all to fit. Mine needed some notching at the bottom of the cylinders to clear those big capscrews on the rods. Some will need the pan rail clearanced as well.

Increasing the displacment (without any other changes) will lower your torque and HP peaks 5-700 RPM. I added 56 cubic inches, and kept the same cam, heads, and induction. As a 327, I shifted at 6200. Now I shift at 5500. Low end torque is phenomenal, she's perfectly happy putting around in overdrive (.64, w/3.08 rear) at 1500 rpm / 40 mph. Can smoke the tires at will in first and second, without any help from the clutch.

You for sure will want a bit more cam, maybe 1.6 rockers, and on a TPI motor, some intake help to keep the beast properly fed.

 

Thanks people i think i m going to go down the 383 route.
from what ive learned here, im definitely getting a new cam and a custom tune, its gonna take me till the end of the year... at least to get all this done, but i think it will be worth it
much apreciated