Need some help with 383 questions
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,689
Likes: 1
From: Peoria AZ
Need some help with 383 questions
I have a 383 that I had built for my 90 Vette but I have found a new home for the motor. I have a few technical questions on what to do as far as injectors and also torque convertor for a TH400. I actually had the motor built a few years ago and have yet to install it in the VetteHere is what I remember about the motor. It is a 383 I had the stock Corvette heads worked quite a bit and have larger Manley SS valves in them, it has a TPIS ZZ9 roller cam, a stock TPI except it has had very mild port work and has siamesed runners. I also have a Paxton Supercharger that may or may not be installed on the motor.
The engine is actually being installed in my 60 Cadillac Coupe DeVille and it will be backed by a TH400 trans. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 14,924
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From: Merritt Ils Fl
Sean, at a loss as to why you would want to stay with a TPI in a 60 car. You will need the entire engine management system transplanted from a donor car into the Caddy. It would be far easier, and less costly, to go carb especially since your TH400 is not PCM supported. If you really,really want to stay with EFI my suggestion would be one of the aftermarket systems. There are several out there. I would budget something like 2k for a running and tuned system.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
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From: The Top of Utah
Originally Posted by Sean DunsheeI
have a few technical questions on what to do as far as injectors and also torque convertor for a TH400.
RACE ON!!!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 8,838
Likes: 31
From: Australia
"You won't find a stock TH400 flexplate with the Gen II external balance"
GM # 14088761
Outside diameter is 14" for years 1986-up.
Crank Flange bolt pattern: 3.00";
Converter Bolt Pattern.: 10.75", 11.50";
starter ring gear teeth: 168.
For one-piece crank seal. Torque converters for TH350 and TH400 transmissions are produced with both 10.75" and 11.50" diameter bolt patterns.
GM # 14088761
Outside diameter is 14" for years 1986-up.
Crank Flange bolt pattern: 3.00";
Converter Bolt Pattern.: 10.75", 11.50";
starter ring gear teeth: 168.
For one-piece crank seal. Torque converters for TH350 and TH400 transmissions are produced with both 10.75" and 11.50" diameter bolt patterns.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,689
Likes: 1
From: Peoria AZ
I am looking to to the TPI conversion because I have a couple extras laying around and I like the way they look, perform and the better fuel milage. The 60 Caddy will obviously not be a race car because it weighs a few more pounds than my Vette LOL. I am trying to keep some kind of budget on this Caddy so I am trying to use what I already have. Otherwise I would be running an LS1 or LS2 or if money were no object an LS7 (how sick would that be?
Thanks for the info on the flex plate..It never in came to mind that it would be an issue. I think I will order that one today so its here....so then I have to have it balanced with the engine?? Am I better off with a 700R4? I have an extra one here I just didn't want to spend the money rebuilding it but if it will save me some headaches I may be better off not to mention the lower first gear and overdrive..hmm.
Any suggestions on what torque convertor to use with the combo I am running?
I also have a brand new RamJet fuel injection still in the box if you think thats a better system..but I really like the way the TPIs look...plus the one I plan on using is polished and has siamesed runners.
Thanks for the info on the flex plate..It never in came to mind that it would be an issue. I think I will order that one today so its here....so then I have to have it balanced with the engine?? Am I better off with a 700R4? I have an extra one here I just didn't want to spend the money rebuilding it but if it will save me some headaches I may be better off not to mention the lower first gear and overdrive..hmm.
Any suggestions on what torque convertor to use with the combo I am running?
I also have a brand new RamJet fuel injection still in the box if you think thats a better system..but I really like the way the TPIs look...plus the one I plan on using is polished and has siamesed runners.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
Likes: 33
From: The Top of Utah
Originally Posted by rodj
"You won't find a stock TH400 flexplate with the Gen II external balance"
GM # 14088761
Outside diameter is 14" for years 1986-up.
Crank Flange bolt pattern: 3.00";
Converter Bolt Pattern.: 10.75", 11.50";
starter ring gear teeth: 168.
For one-piece crank seal. Torque converters for TH350 and TH400 transmissions are produced with both 10.75" and 11.50" diameter bolt patterns.
GM # 14088761
Outside diameter is 14" for years 1986-up.
Crank Flange bolt pattern: 3.00";
Converter Bolt Pattern.: 10.75", 11.50";
starter ring gear teeth: 168.
For one-piece crank seal. Torque converters for TH350 and TH400 transmissions are produced with both 10.75" and 11.50" diameter bolt patterns.
GM # 14088765
Outside diameter is 12.75" for years 1986-up.
Crank Flange bolt pattern: 3.00";
Converter Bolt Pattern.: 10.75";
starter ring gear teeth: 153.
For one-piece crank seal. Torque converters for TH350 and TH400 transmissions are produced with 10.75" diameter bolt pattern.
I apologize for my wrong and incorrect info. You have rodj to thank for both part numbers.
RACE ON!!!
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
THat Caddy needs all the low end grunt it can get for a cruiser that may not be a bad idea. Doesnt Painless make a harness for these to be retrofitted to a non EFI car?
It would be neat to see a SC on ther too, but dont know enough about them to say anythign as far as working with ECM, cam, etc.
It would be neat to see a SC on ther too, but dont know enough about them to say anythign as far as working with ECM, cam, etc.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 8,838
Likes: 31
From: Australia
"Am I better off with a 700R4? I have an extra one here I just didn't want to spend the money rebuilding it but if it will save me some headaches"
The flexplate CFI-EFI mentions solves your T400 bolt up problem.
However as the Caddy is not going to be a race car, the O/d function of the T700 goes a long way to helping in fuel economy.A correctly rebuilt T700 should give no problems in a cruiser.
Worth considering
The flexplate CFI-EFI mentions solves your T400 bolt up problem.
However as the Caddy is not going to be a race car, the O/d function of the T700 goes a long way to helping in fuel economy.A correctly rebuilt T700 should give no problems in a cruiser.
Worth considering
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Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,689
Likes: 1
From: Peoria AZ
HEY!! Did you just call my car a BARGE? I prefer the term Land Yacht..LOL
I am really considering doing an LS1 if I can find one worth buying before the time comes to get the motor in. If I can't find one worth the money then I will do the 383 and I am really leaning towards the 700R4, I have an extra one sitting here. I appreciate your guys help even though this isn't a Vette question....but I do have some Vettes too.
I am really considering doing an LS1 if I can find one worth buying before the time comes to get the motor in. If I can't find one worth the money then I will do the 383 and I am really leaning towards the 700R4, I have an extra one sitting here. I appreciate your guys help even though this isn't a Vette question....but I do have some Vettes too.
