L83 questions
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L83 questions
Lets start by saying i have a 84 corvette with the stock L83 350 now with a carburetor
first question i have, is there anything wrong with the L83 block itself. Reason i ask is i am planning to buy a 383 stroker kit and put it in this block. This is a way cheaper option then buying a already assembled 383 short block from like blue print, and with the money i save i can buy the 383 kit with forged internals.
Second is about cylinder heads in general. I will use the stock L83 heads as a reference, the stock heads have a 76mm combustion camber and with the stock block is 9:1 compression. I see people buying 72mm and smaller combustion camber heads and increasing the compression ratio. Now my question, wouldnt a bigger combustion camber make more power over a smaller one? For example since i am building a new motor and can choose what pistons i want to control my compression ratio, wouldnt i want to stay with a 76mm bigger combustion camber and buy domed pistons to up the compression ratio?
first question i have, is there anything wrong with the L83 block itself. Reason i ask is i am planning to buy a 383 stroker kit and put it in this block. This is a way cheaper option then buying a already assembled 383 short block from like blue print, and with the money i save i can buy the 383 kit with forged internals.
Second is about cylinder heads in general. I will use the stock L83 heads as a reference, the stock heads have a 76mm combustion camber and with the stock block is 9:1 compression. I see people buying 72mm and smaller combustion camber heads and increasing the compression ratio. Now my question, wouldnt a bigger combustion camber make more power over a smaller one? For example since i am building a new motor and can choose what pistons i want to control my compression ratio, wouldnt i want to stay with a 76mm bigger combustion camber and buy domed pistons to up the compression ratio?
Last edited by phucking-low; Jun 17, 2015 at 06:38 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2009
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The short block L83 as a whole wasn't to bad for an early 80s engine, it had forged pistons, compression ratio of 9.0, heavy duty oil pump.
Me, I'd find a later block to build up because they are made for factory roller cams, the retrofit cam & kits cost a lot more.
Do your homework when choosing pistons & cylinder heads (& cam), you don't want too much compression that won't allow you to run pump gas.
Me, I'd find a later block to build up because they are made for factory roller cams, the retrofit cam & kits cost a lot more.
Do your homework when choosing pistons & cylinder heads (& cam), you don't want too much compression that won't allow you to run pump gas.
Last edited by ex-x-fire; Jun 17, 2015 at 07:30 AM.
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I dont think i will make enough power to need a roller cam motor, as of now i have swapped it to a carb and have a flat tappet comp cams 270H with matching comp cams valve springs and lifters and i went ahead and bought the comp cams high energy push rods. Next is to buy the eagle 383 stroker kit and then aluminum heads. How high of compression can be run on pump gas?
Race Director
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I dont think i will make enough power to need a roller cam motor, as of now i have swapped it to a carb and have a flat tappet comp cams 270H with matching comp cams valve springs and lifters and i went ahead and bought the comp cams high energy push rods. Next is to buy the eagle 383 stroker kit and then aluminum heads. How high of compression can be run on pump gas?
Team Owner
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From: PA
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 26,745
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From: PA
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
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From: indy indiana
the L-83 block is basicly the same block made since 1955. Nothing wrong with it for your ap. The heads on your 84 , well,to be honest, suck. I f I am thinking correctly, the larger cc chambers will slow down the speed of the incoming air. That's why vortec heads work so well with the 64 cc. All that stuff on top will be choked down if you run stock exhaust.
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For exhaust I am running headman full lenght headers w/3" collectors, no cat, MagnaFlow x pipe 3", all 3" piping, back to 3" MagnaFlow staight through mufflers and I added the LT1 style corvette exhaust tips to them
Racer
Joined: May 2013
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From: Long Valley NJ
3" out from collectors and no cats on an L83. I can't imagine how anyone could stand next to that car without a bottle of visine..... but let's see.
Racer
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From: Long Valley NJ
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: PA
If it is pig rich at idle then yes, it wouldn't be good, but proper tuning shouldn't make your eyes dry/hurt/itch.
I am starting a cross-fire build in the near future. I am.sure I will have a load of questions too. Lol
I am starting a cross-fire build in the near future. I am.sure I will have a load of questions too. Lol
