1986 corvette with a 383 stroker performance upgrades
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Dec 2021
Posts: 5
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1986 corvette with a 383 stroker performance upgrades
A few months back I bought an automatic 1986 corvette with a 383 stoker with about 55,000 miles. This is my first car and I want to learn the ins and outs. I have no clue what hp and torque its putting out at this time. If anyone could give me some tips and point me towards bolt-on upgrades or anything that could help performance. My goal is to enhance overall performance and make the car a little faster. The following is all the modifications done already to the car...
Other than what I listed everything else is stock. What modifications make sense considering the upgrades already done to the car? As of right, the car runs a 5.50 0-60. I would thankful if anyone could give me tips on my car. Thanks.
- performance chip
- Lunati roller cam
- ported heads with larger valves
- roller rockers
- pro comp steel crankshaft
- pro comp rods
- Keith black pistons
- Mahle piston rings
- z51 handling package
Other than what I listed everything else is stock. What modifications make sense considering the upgrades already done to the car? As of right, the car runs a 5.50 0-60. I would thankful if anyone could give me tips on my car. Thanks.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
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From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
No way to tell from that info
Would need to know the PN or grind number for the cam
What kind of intake manifold? Headers or manifolds? Type of exhaust system?
Flow numbers for the heads or at least who did them to get an idea
Compression ratio, what size CC head, piston type etc many variables.
Sometimes finding the engine builder, installer or if its a mail order engine that info will tell us a lot.
Cast or steel crank, piston material makes 0 difference in power just strength.
Are you able to find the seller? TPI's generally dont make big hp #s due to their intake design. They can make a buttload of torque at a low pm though, so coupled with a 3.07 or taller gear will pull pretty hard from 0 to?
Would need to know the PN or grind number for the cam
What kind of intake manifold? Headers or manifolds? Type of exhaust system?
Flow numbers for the heads or at least who did them to get an idea
Compression ratio, what size CC head, piston type etc many variables.
Sometimes finding the engine builder, installer or if its a mail order engine that info will tell us a lot.
Cast or steel crank, piston material makes 0 difference in power just strength.
Are you able to find the seller? TPI's generally dont make big hp #s due to their intake design. They can make a buttload of torque at a low pm though, so coupled with a 3.07 or taller gear will pull pretty hard from 0 to?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 6,943
Likes: 1,490
From: New Jersey
The casting number of the heads helps some, bur without knowing the cam grind it's all a guess. Being you said 5.5 to 60 it probably isn't anything radical but still.
While things like compression and piston dish are important, at the power level it's probably at there isn't a lot being left on the table if it's 9:0 say vs 11:1. Info on the heads like casting and flow and the cam grind will paint a pretty decent picture imo. If you have that info we can move from there but chances are, there isn't much that can be "bolted on" unless it is still the stock l98 exhaust. That can be somewhat restrictive and improved on. Be it by using a later exhaust system or aftermarket.
While things like compression and piston dish are important, at the power level it's probably at there isn't a lot being left on the table if it's 9:0 say vs 11:1. Info on the heads like casting and flow and the cam grind will paint a pretty decent picture imo. If you have that info we can move from there but chances are, there isn't much that can be "bolted on" unless it is still the stock l98 exhaust. That can be somewhat restrictive and improved on. Be it by using a later exhaust system or aftermarket.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,160
Likes: 1,733
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Not enough information. We need to know the specs on the cam, need a grind number or P/N, etc. I'd think its safe to assume the chip is custom to the cam, but you'd be surprised what morons do.
Need to know what heads are on the car, casting number might help. Can't guess your CR until that, but its only a guess without knowing what KB piston they put in.
All that aside, a 383 needs more air. If the intake is still the TPI stock-style, that needs to either be heavily ported out, or replaced with a used SuperRam or a Miniram, but it would be necessary to know what heads/cam are on it now to know which might be the best route.
Headers, to let it exhale, for that its just some 1 3/4" longtubes if emissions tests are not required, then rework the exhaust.
86 already has a good 2000rpm TC, so that should be fine for you.
Need to know what heads are on the car, casting number might help. Can't guess your CR until that, but its only a guess without knowing what KB piston they put in.
All that aside, a 383 needs more air. If the intake is still the TPI stock-style, that needs to either be heavily ported out, or replaced with a used SuperRam or a Miniram, but it would be necessary to know what heads/cam are on it now to know which might be the best route.
Headers, to let it exhale, for that its just some 1 3/4" longtubes if emissions tests are not required, then rework the exhaust.
86 already has a good 2000rpm TC, so that should be fine for you.
