C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

Building a stroker on an old block?

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Old Sep 10, 2002 | 07:53 AM
  #1  
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Default Building a stroker on an old block?

I am planning on building me a 383 from an old block (69). Since money is an issue (as always) I want to do it step by step.

First I am going to stroke it. Putting in all forged parts. Then I will drop that old block in my 1991 Vette. Put my old TPI and heads on top of it. I will put in a 74219 camshaft because I know I will upgrade to a Superram later.

Questions are:

1) Can I use my old heads (from the L98) on the new (old 1969) block?
2) What about compression ratio? When I decide can afford) to change to aftermarket heads will I find some with 58cc combustion chambers? Is it better to optimize the bottom end for bigger combustion chambers at once?
3) Will the Superram with base fit on the old block (1969)?

Thanks in advance.
:cheers: :cheers:
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Old Sep 10, 2002 | 08:59 AM
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Default Re: Building a stroker on an old block? (Cratzy)

You'll be fine :seeya
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Old Sep 10, 2002 | 09:01 AM
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Default Re: Building a stroker on an old block? (Cratzy)

L98 is just a typical SBC, everything should bolt up fine.
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Old Sep 10, 2002 | 09:09 AM
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Default Re: Building a stroker on an old block? (Cratzy)

Because of the amount of power possible with the 383, and overall expense, I would make sure that the 69 block is a sound block. Have you had it crack tested or anything? If your heads are aluminum I would port them and the intake runners and you should be fine. That would put you up to around 183cc. Then later maybe upgrade to APR 195s. I'm not sure about the specs on a Superram, but there are plenty of more knowledgable people on this than me in this forum.
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Old Sep 10, 2002 | 09:31 AM
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Default Re: Building a stroker on an old block? (castivers)

Thanks for the answers. :)

I haven't had it crack tested; I bought it from a friend though... :eek:

I am going to port my heads and when I can afford AFR heads I will upgrade, but what about compression ratio? If I chose pistons for my present heads (58cc) and change to new heads I will have to chose heads with 58cc combustion chambers or put in other pistons if I want heads with bigger chambers... or? :confused:

BR
:cheers:
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Old Sep 10, 2002 | 09:36 AM
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Default Re: Building a stroker on an old block? (Cratzy)

Since you are going all forged components you will be replacing the pistons. If you know what compression ratio you want, you need to know the desired stroke 3.75 with a 383. You will need to know the CC of the heads, the thickness of the head gasket and any dish/dome on the piston.

You can build it to have whatever compression you want. I would call SRP and tell them what you've got and what you want for compression, they will be able to help you pick out a piston.
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Old Sep 10, 2002 | 09:55 AM
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Default Re: Building a stroker on an old block? (Cratzy)

You need to set a compression ratio to shoot for to select pistons, and know what heads youre gonna possibly change too so you dont go too high
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Old Sep 10, 2002 | 11:01 AM
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Default Re: Building a stroker on an old block? (vader86)

I haven't decided on what heads I am going to go with, but I think AFR.

What difference does the size of the combustion chambers make? If it doesn't matter what sizes they are perhaps I can just find a pair of heads with 58cc or as close as possible?

:confused: :confused:
:cheers:
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Old Sep 10, 2002 | 11:05 AM
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I will put in a 74219 camshaft because I know I will upgrade to a Superram later.
Keep in mind that if you do not use a rollerblock to begin with you will have more work/parts to do to be able to use the 219 in it.
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Old Sep 10, 2002 | 11:05 AM
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Default Re: Building a stroker on an old block? (Cratzy)

A 64 cc head will have less compression than a 58 cc head will. Also a dished piston will less compression than a flat top or domed piston.

It's all about volume before and after. By that though if you currently have 64 cc heads and have X for compression, you can still obtain X compression with a 58 cc head but you will need a thicker head gasket or more of a dish on the piston.
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Old Sep 10, 2002 | 11:06 AM
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3) Will the Superram with base fit on the old block (1969)?
The SR base bolts to the heads, not the block. You'll be fine.
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Old Sep 10, 2002 | 03:08 PM
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Default Re: Building a stroker on an old block? (Cratzy)

I haven't decided on what heads I am going to go with, but I think AFR.
What difference does the size of the combustion chambers make? If it doesn't matter what sizes they are perhaps I can just find a pair of heads with 58cc or as close as possible?
What i'm going to do is select the AFR 190s with the 68cc chamber and then pick the correct piston (flat-top or dished) for the compression ratio i want, which will be about 10:1 or 10.5:1 so i can run pump gas.
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Old Sep 10, 2002 | 03:49 PM
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Default Re: (scorp508)

I will put in a 74219 camshaft because I know I will upgrade to a Superram later.

Keep in mind that if you do not use a rollerblock to begin with you will have more work/parts to do to be able to use the 219 in it.
Yeah and the cam button is the easy part. Roller cam blocks also have provision for a one piece hyd roller lifter retainer which is a piece of sheetmetal that bolts to the lifter valley. An older block doesn't have any cast-in holes for this.

This is where a hyd retro roller cam would be a good fit. They don't use that retainer and drop right into older blocks. The bad part is they're $1000 for and they're on back order.

I'd consider getting a custom hyd flat tappet grind from Comp Cams with specs similar to the LPE 74219 cam.


[Modified by jmr302, 1:50 PM 9/10/2002]
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Old Sep 11, 2002 | 07:42 AM
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Default Re: (jmr302)

Thank you for all the answers :)
I will have this topic printed so that I can have a look at it when I start buildning my new engine :)

I'd consider getting a custom hyd flat tappet grind from Comp Cams with specs similar to the LPE 74219 cam.
What is the specs of the 74219?

What about install a set of retro-fit hydraulic roller lifters? I have heard that something like that is available from Crane or Comp Cams?


:cheers: :cheers:


[Modified by Cratzy, 7:58 AM 9/11/2002]
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Old Sep 11, 2002 | 11:51 AM
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Default Re: (Cratzy)

you need to have the block machined to accept ANY roller cam. :)
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Old Sep 11, 2002 | 12:15 PM
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Default Re: (Cratzy)

The LPE 74219 cam has 219*/219* dur at .050" lift. Also .560"/.560" max lift with 1.6 rockers. Most importantly the LSA = 112. You may not be able to get the same max lift in a hyd flat tappet because they can't have ramps as steep as roller cams.

Like I said before, Comp Cams retro-roller lifters are on back order. Production hasn't been able to keep up with demand. Also the cams are $400 and the lifters are $600 from Summit. I believe you only need a cam thrust button and shorter pushrods to run that setup. I'd find a roller cam block to work with or just stick with hyd flat tappets.
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