Dr.Huxtable

Hey Guys, Well i sold my Black auto 89 vette that i had in order to get something with a much better base for me to work off of!

I picked up this gorgeous 1989 Corvette from a member here on the forums.















So here is what the car currently has:
ZF 6-speed (Black Tag)
Single Mass Flywheel
3.54 gears D44
355 ZZ4 based short block
Forged crank
Edelbrock Performer heads
GM “Hot Cam” with 1.6 roller rockers
TPIS Mini Ram with fuel rails
58mm Throttle Body
30 lb injectors
Hooker Ceramic Coated headers
Grand Sport exhaust with i believe Flowmaster mufflers


Well things have changed alittle! After talking with Jim, a guy I'm sure alot of you know on these forums, I'm going to be doing a 396 build. gonna get some more cubes

So here is the build list, tell me what you all think!:
-350 hydraulic lifter block
-SRP Flat top pistons w/ 2 valve reliefs 4.030 bore
-Crower Stroker I-beam rods, 6-inch
-Hydraulic or Mechanical roller lifters (to be determined)
-Comp cam ultra gold roller rockers
-AFR competition heads
-Scat, eagle, or callies forged crank 3.875 stroke (to be determined)
-Comp cam or crower camshaft (specs to be determined)
-Gonna need a bigger fuel pump (to be determined)

Any input you guys have is great! Jim and i are already hashing it out, i gave him the green light to go ahead and start looking for a block for me. Hoping to get this project started in late Jan!

Thanks
-Caleb Huxster

tpi 421 vette

If you plan on doing a 383, plan on starting from scratch. You can't reuse your pistons, the compression height is different. You can reuse the stock rods if your trying to keep cost down. But you need to consider what you are doing with the car. I have built motors for people that are on a budget and cut costs, then when it's done they want more power. NOS, blower, turbo, and with the added power of a power adder, the bottom end won't handle it. So plan ahead. If you think you might run a power adder in the future, plan on building a shortblock that can handle it.

mseven

I don't know what the "gm 400 cam" means, but above it is stated it has a hot cam (218/228 duration). I assume when he stated "full roller" he was talking about having full roller rockers and hydraulic roller cam.
ZZ4 Engine Specifications: (355 hp) (from the GMMP parts book)
Block Part Number: 10105123
Block Type: Cast iron with 4-bolt main caps
Bore x stroke (in): 4.00 x 3.48
Camshaft duration (@.050 in): 208 degree int./ 221 degree ex.
Camshaft lift (in): .474 intake / .510 exhaust
Camshaft Part Number: 10185071
Camshaft type: Steel hydraulic roller
Compression ratio: 10:1
Connecting Rod Part Number: 10108688
Connecting rods Type: Powdered metal steel
Crankshaft Part Number: 12556307
Crankshaft Type: Forged steel
Cylinder head Part Number: 12556463
Cylinder head Type: Aluminum; 58cc chambers
Displacement (cu in): 350
Engine Name: ZZ4 350:
Engine type: Chevy small-block V-8
Ignition timing: 10 degree BTDC @ 800 rpm 32 degree total @ 4000 rpm with vacuum advance disconnected
Maximum rpm: 5800
NOTE: Distributor with melonized steel gear MUST be used with
long blocks and partial engines with steel camshafts, or engine
damage will occur.
Piston Part Number: 10159436
Pistons Type: High-silicon aluminum with offset pins
Recommended fuel: 92 octane
Rocker arm ratio: 1.5:1
Rocker arms Part Number: 10089648
Rocker arms Type: Stamped steel
Valve size (in): 1.94 intake / 1.50 exhaust
If you're pulling it apart to do a 383 there will probably need to have some clearancing done and having the rest of the block gone over by a machinist is wise for a fresh build. A good machinist will be able to tell you more after actually measuring everything (deck, bores etc.etc.).
I would also strongly consider what TPI 421 vette mentioned above...consider the future. When planning on really hitting it hard on the track, and if ever doing add-ons, build the bottom end well.
JMO

Dr.Huxtable

Thanks for the help. I agree with what your saying completely, would be wise in the end to just start from scratch. I have a great machinist shop down the road from me and i know the guys there. When i pull the motor i'll prob tear it down it give to them to go completely through.

You are also correct i would in the future consider doing a nitrous power adder possibly. I'm not trying to do a budget build, so I'm willing to lay out the money to do it properly! I not only want the block to preform but i want it to last. I don't wanna have to rebuild the motor in 10k miles or 20k.

Would you guys recommend a different cam than this one for my applications or will this one be "perfect" or "ok" but i could get something better?

Also Scat pistons and rods work in this block? Or would you recommend something different for drag racing? anyone who drags their car and has had good experience with a certain setup if you could let me know i would greatly appreciate it!

Oh and one other thing i'm planning on running solely E85. There are stations around here EVERYWHERE and i've had great experience with it on my other cars. I've already contacted a member on here that has used it alot on his vette but if anyone else has had experience please chime in!

383vett

The answer to a lot of your questions depends on how thick your wallet is. The more you have to spend, the better motor you can build. If you have a couple of extra $$$, I would nix the Scat crank and pistons. These are on the lower end of the scale. If $$$ is short, then you've got to make do and save where you can. Figure out your budget and work backwards.

Dr.Huxtable

Gottcha. Ok well i'd better talk with my machinist and mechanic friend. in terms of cost my wallet ain't super thick but over the course of 6 months i can throw 6 - 7 k at the motor alone. The transmission and rear end are all set. You recommended any certain type of pistons? What is your engine setup?

Looks like Mahle or Srp Forged would be a better route for me to go with

383vett

Jim (tpi421vette) should be able to answer this for you. He has built a number of forum motors. I use JE pistons in my 406.

engle1147

Congrats on the new ride!

Dr.Huxtable

Thanks man! this car is amazing! i've found a whole new love of cars! never owned a true muscle car before or a V8. I'm lovin every second of it!!

GREGGPENN

I was drooling all over those new superlight SRP forged 4032 pistons myself. With a fresh build and AFR 65cc heads, that's the route I'd go.

The cam is a very, very tough choice. When, you're considering the extra flow of AFRs vs lift vs wear/longevity, I'm not sure anyone here is an expert. There may be one or two people who've run a 383 well beyond 50-100k miles but are they still here?

Based on some of the feedback with the release of XFI cams, having ramps in the .520" lift range isn't that "bad". When you're you're getting up much above .550" lift, I think longevity starts to go down. How much/many miles is damn hard to figure. OTOH, the hotcam is widely considered one of the mildest "performance" cams in terms of ramp rates. That directly transfers into valvetrain longevity! The hotcam was even considered for use in a production C4! (long story).

Furthermore, when you really start putting a close eye on things, you'll see the trade-off for that maximum longevity (by using a hotcam) doesn't come with a huge price. Why? Because you may only sacrifice 10-20HP over something a bit more aggressive -- yet still designed for the long haul. You might even get 30hp more out of a really aggressive build but you, like myself, may be willing to compromise.

If I were redoing my build again, a HOTCAM with 1.6 (or even 1.65) Scorpion roller rockers would be my vote. And, as such, it's my recommendation to you -- if your cam has low mileage. Of course, it presumes, your goal is really to build something that ends up running very high mileage.

cv67

Really liking that shade yellow on that year, seems to work.

Dr.Huxtable

updated opening post with new info. Let me know what you guys think!

tpi 421 vette

I found a nice 4 bolt hyd roller block, so I guess the project is under way!

Dr.Huxtable

awesome!! I tell ya what when we get things rollin here i'll make a full build thread like pete k did and we'll get it to be a sticky! The block he built was a more original 383. This one is a drag inspired badace 396

cv67

Jim builds a stout stroker motor youre in the right hands no doubt.


Edit: Manual AC car too, super cool. Never seen an 89 with that option

cumbercr

Looks like you and I are headed down the same path. Just talked to Jim tonite. Sounds like he found your block and mine. I'm also having him build me a 396 for my 85. The build will be much the same.

- 350 Roller Bock with 1 Pc Rear Seal
- Eagle 4340 3.875 Crank (you'll find that 3.875 cranks are hard to find for roller blocks.
- Crower Stroker Sportsman 6 in Rods
- SRP Forged 5cc Pistons
- Most likely a Crower 221/230 Hydraulic Roller Cam
- AFR 195 Street Eliminator Heads (I already have these)
- Super Ram Intake (I already have this as well)
- TPiS 1-3/4" Headers (ditto)
- 58mm Throttle Body
- I have a Walbro 255 l/hr pump ready to go in
- 36# Injectors

This should be fun. Feel free to PM me. We might be able to share some shipping costs.

Craig

88BlackZ-51

Who's old car is this? Also did you think about a 421? Jim's speciality!

88BlackZ-51

Any luck I'll have mine started next month, but then again aren't cars supposed to fly by now?

88BlackZ-51

Is that the one that Helen benches for reps? All kidding aside you are in very good hands with Jim. We have become good friends over the years.

tpi 421 vette

This will be pretty cool building two 396's at once! They will be the same shortblocks, but the top ends will be different. The Super Ram 396 will make more torque than hp, and pass Cali emissions. The Miniram 396 will make more hp than torque. But they should both haul azz!!!