Hello,
I am building a 383 stroker motor to put in My 1987 Corvette, I wish to store the factory 350 TPI (L-98) for about twenty to twenty-five years (complete).
This 383 motor will have about 10.1/1 comp (with Vortec heads).
I plan on using near-stock (170 cfm intake Vortec heads) with 2.02/1.60 valves. I plan on using the Edelbrock 'Vortec/TPI' intake base. I also plan on using the Edelbrock 'improved-runners'.

I wish to ask any and ALL input about this Combo.

I want to retain low-end torque and have the option of flat/hydraulic cam or Hydraulic-roller cam.
I also want to know about throttle-body bore size? What is your preference?
I want to hear from everybody! Please! There are people who resist submitting their opinion because they think they will be 'be-littled'!
This is not acceptable!
ALL are WELCOME TO REPLY!
I would appreciate any and all discussion on this issue. I need to know throttle-bore, cam-specs and Fuel-injector specs/sizing.


You All Take Care and PLEASE HELP! BE Safe, -John

 

 

If you are starting from scratch use a factory roller block; better choice of cams.
On paper stock TB is more than adequate especially for bottom end use; however most would go for 52mm.
People run TPI on big cube engines;Jake has one on a 406.But generally accepted that it has breathing limitations in any form at revs.
BUT plenty of low-end torque

 

I'm going a similar route except that I'll be swapping my current motor into my riding lawnmower, not preserving it.

Anyhow, get the base from www.sdparts.com, not Edelbrock. Vortec heads are nice and cheap but the baseplate cost makes up for it. For the price of that stupid intake base you could almost have a stealth ram on there. In fact, why wouldn't you? Obviously you're not going for the sleeper look with Edelbrock runners.

How does a Vortec compare to a corvette 113 head?

I for one will not bother upping the injectors. Guys are on here running 10s on 24# injectors, so surely your 22s can work just fine for you in conjunction with a tune. Of course don't take my word for it (as if you would ). I also won't be messing with throttlebody/MAF/etc. I think plenty of others have proven those to be wasteful places to spend money.

 

Take a look at my website: Corvetteplenum.com

-Mike

 

383's and other big cube engines, will offer you more than enough torque to let you use a miniram or other high RPM intake without feeling like you lost torque from your TPI 350.

I have the TPIS base/runners combo on my 86' and if I was building a big cube motor, I would absolutely put a high RPM intake on it, not a TPI setup.

 

I won't even ask why you would put a 350 motor in a time capsule. Any way....dump the TPI and get a good high revving intake and cam. Several choices out there. You can accept less compression, say around 9.5:1, and trade that off for another 1500 rpm's. Also look at some 180 aluminum heads if you have the dough.

 

I had a couple of 350's built last year for my boat by a very reputable builder.He started with four bolt vortec truck blocks but would not use the vortec heads as he had so many problems with them.He reckoned there was too much material removed to create the "swirl" effect in the chambers.His opinion not mine so don't blow me out of the water.I couldn't use aluminum heads because of the salt but in your case it's the only way to go.

 

I appreciate all the info so far. I am using a new-model (one pc seal) 350 block that is already built as a 383. I built this engine, sold the vehicle and am buying it back. It only has about 15,000 miles on the engine(I'll freshen it up anyway). The heads that were(are) on that motor are factory 14102193 (basically smog-junk). The motor is strong and has a flat-tap/hydraulic cam in it now. It is the good high-nickel strong block and has the provisions for the roller-cam. Cam options are open.
I have 2.73 gears and really love the top-end so I'm interested in what I can do to keep the Torque to the max. I am open minded about the induction but do wish to retain TPI 'based' FI.
I have the set of Vortec heads and they are great for torque. I understand there have been some problems with Vortec heads, but most of what I heard of was in extreme power/racing conditions. My friends and I have abused these heads on drag and clay round tracks down here in Georgia and they are pretty tough(if you don't mill or grind on them too much).
The TPI unit I have is a 305 out of an 86 IROC. It has been sitting a little while and the injectors are both small and probably junk (from sitting). I will have to buy a set of injectors so I just wanted opinions. If you are buying a set anyway, buy what is best for the setup.
I am using this setup for good street performance and based on a combination of good parts I already have. I don't want to take anything off of the factory motor. It Is going to be a time-capsule! I have 'screwed-up' enough in My life with performance cars and just want to store ALL factory parts off this car for the next 20-25 years. It will add to the value of my car then and if not I can probably get more for the stuff then versus now!
The 52mm throttle body sounds OK. I haven't measured it but what is the bore size on the factory part?
I hope I clarified where I am trying to go with this project. I like the cold-starting, driveability and torque of the FI. I don't want a 'cold-natured', hard to start 'hot-rod/race-car'! I want this to be a somewhat 'mildly-mannered' daily driver!
I was in the mountains(smokys) last week. I had come-down with the flu and wasn't real UP about the trip. It had been planned for a month, so I went anyway. My wife and her friend wanted to spend all day shopping. I tried for a little-bit the first day, I couldn't handle it! I decided the best plan was to let them go shopping and take cabs. I just went driving on the mountain roads! That was real enjoyable. That is the vehicle I wish to retain. I don't want a 'temper-mental' 'race-car', I don't want a 'high-strung' anything. I want a good performance 'driver'!

Thanks for all and You All Take Care, -John

 

PS:
I have the short-block, Vortec heads and the factory TPI.
I need to pick-out and buy: A. Camshaft kit, B. TPI parts for Vortech heads, C. Fuel injectors, D. Any and All parts I don't have yet!
Thanks Again Everyone, -John

 

If you want torque buy my lingenfelter plenum and runners off me.PM me if interested.

 

staugur,
PM sent!
Thanks and Take Care, -John

 

"The 52mm throttle body sounds OK. I haven't measured it but what is the bore size on the factory part? "

Stock is 48mm
Some with more top end setups , Mini Ram , etc are using the 58mm version

 

John, my engine a 388 with Vortec heads, SDPS Vortec intake, Super Ram, 52mm throttle body, Crain Cams CR113801 non roller cam. The heads have the normal Vortec upgrades to handle higher lift cams. I will be pulling the engine out this winter to upgrade to roller lifters and a 219 cam. The engine has great torque. You might want to look into getting a Super Ram, I ran mine with the Stock runners and plenum it ran OK but the SR was a big improvement. You will probably need a chip burned no matter what combo you go with.
Dave

 

Thanks Opel,
Where do I find info or this super-ram for sale? I have PM'd Stauger about his lingfelter plenum, runners and a ported base. This might be where I am going.
I am leaning toward a hydraulic roller cam myself. I think with the Vortec heads with the 2.02/1.60 valves and the 'right' cam can get me where I want to be. Exactly what roller are you considering? Just Curious.
Anyone have a used 52mm throttle body for sale???????????

Once again I appreciate all the info! I want to save my factory engine but only want to build this engine once. I might even lean a little toward a conservative Hyd-Roller so I don't go too big. I can always install 1.6 rockers later If I want a 'tad' more.

You All Take Care and Be Safe, -John

 

Opel,
One more qustion, SDPS Vortec intake? Where do I find, read about this intake?

I keep seeing blurbs for Corvetteplenum.com. When I go to this addy I find no info, pricing etc.. It said it is under construction(?)!

Thanks again, -John

 

[QUOTE=Johns87;1563101865]Opel,
One more qustion, SDPS Vortec intake? Where do I find, read about this intake? /QUOTE]


SDPC = Scoggin Dickey Parts Center.

http://www.sdparts.com/product/12498...Baseplate.aspx

 

Thanks ALL!,
I have looked around and seen 'some' of want is out there, I would still like the opinions of those who have been there and done that!
I know some of the experts know where to start looking for a hyd-roller, camshaft that is in the category I need.
Any help Is Always Appreciated, Thanks and Take Care, -John

 

John to run Vortec heads with a TPI you need a special intake base with the proper mounting holes, thats what the SDPS Vortec intake is.

Thanks Opel,
Where do I find info or this super-ram for sale? I have PM'd Stauger about his lingenfelter plenum, runners and a ported base. This might be where I am going.

The Super Ram was made by ACCEL and sold by lots of places. If the set up stauger is selling is the one in his avatar, thats a SR, you will not be able to use his base unless it's a Vortec base. But you can always sell his base. The bad part of running a SR on the Vortec base is It's not a direct bolt on, you have to do some mods to the SR just a little grinding for clearance on the out side of the runners.

The cam I'm going with is the lingenfelter 219 http://www.lingenfelter.com/store/lpe-74219.html it was made to use with the SR.
Dave

 

Opel,
I appreciate the info. I understand about the vortec heads. I'm just trying to learn what is best for street perf. versus total horsepower.
I don't think the super-ram is what I need. I need some of the improved performance (mostly torque and not horsepower). I think I need more of the parts in the way of improved-'FACTORY'-'DESIGN'.
Thanks for all the info, Take Care and Be Safe, -John