383 Stroker, daily driver
Thread Starter
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Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 50
Likes: 2
From: Wilmington North Carolina
383 Stroker, daily driver
Hi guys, buying a 1989 C4 with a 383 Stroker swapped into it. Would this make for an ideal daily driver? It takes me 15-20 min to go to work and then the same to go home, this includes traffic. Is the car good for this kinda driving?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: Life is just one big track event. Everything before and after is prep and warm-up and cool-down laps
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St. Jude Donor '12
Auto or manual?
Easy commute (not much stop and go)?
Not an ideal daily driver - that would be one of those new cars with a warranty and stuff
Easy commute (not much stop and go)?
Not an ideal daily driver - that would be one of those new cars with a warranty and stuff
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 144
Likes: 4
From: Chandler Arizona
It depends how the car was built. I used my 383 1988 C4 as a daily for 3 years on a 60 mile commute. Here are some issues I had:
- Check the cooling system, I had to upgrade the cooling system to cope with the Arizona summer with A/C on. you may not have to do this depending on how hot it gets.
- About 2 months into it the 700R4 input shaft snapped in two and took out the transmission. the 700R4 is a weak transmission in stock form.
- Is it EFI or carb? if it is EFI make sure the tune in spot on, Mine was a pain in the behind to get though emissions due to the idle being to rich.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 50
Likes: 2
From: Wilmington North Carolina
It's automatic. Stock TH700R4 transmission with 116k miles on the body and tranny. The 383, no clue but the a/c is disconnected. I live in NC. We get lots of humid weather but the summers can be unforgiving at times. My other C4 I just drove around with the targa top off. So a/c I don't care about really. And it's carbureted.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 2,931
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From: Ashland Alabama
Motor wise my 87 does great in town driving with the 383 it has. Highway wise with the 3.73 rear end it gets a bit high in the rpms for my liking for long range driving but the motor has done fine. I don't daily drive it though.
I don't see why it would bother it for a daily driver though.
I don't see why it would bother it for a daily driver though.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,097
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From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
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I would have no issue driving mine daily but I don't in bad weather.
If your cam is a little radical then I could see it being an issue in stop & go, mine can be.
If your cam is a little radical then I could see it being an issue in stop & go, mine can be.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,353
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From: Hartford WI
You do understand that you are going to get better mileage with say a Prius, Volkswagen TDI or something smaller so if you are willing to give up that, play ball. Obviously in the winter it sucks so I'd park it for a $1000 beater or get a new $500 beater every year.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Hartford WI
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Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Hartford WI
[*]About 2 months into it the 700R4 input shaft snapped in two and took out the transmission. the 700R4 is a weak transmission in stock form.
Is it EFI or carb? if it is EFI make sure the tune in spot on, Mine was a pain in the behind to get though emissions due to the idle being to rich.
Is it EFI or carb? if it is EFI make sure the tune in spot on, Mine was a pain in the behind to get though emissions due to the idle being to rich.
Not sure I follow. If it is EFI, you are going to need the chip tuned or it won't run right whether it is a DD or not. Best to get a dyno tune instead of a piece of guesswork in the mail.
Drifting
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,440
Likes: 19
From: SW Chicago Burbs IL
I have a 383 that I often drive for my 50 mile round trip commute.
As far as yours, I wouldn't expect that good of gas mileage with a carb'd 383. With 116k on the original trans, expect a rebuild in the very near future. And not having a/c can make for some uncomfortable travel time.
Other than that, the car is a lot of fun to use as a DD.
As far as yours, I wouldn't expect that good of gas mileage with a carb'd 383. With 116k on the original trans, expect a rebuild in the very near future. And not having a/c can make for some uncomfortable travel time.
Other than that, the car is a lot of fun to use as a DD.
