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383 Crate Engine... few questions

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Old Aug 20, 2003 | 06:18 PM
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Default 383 Crate Engine... few questions

I have been researching and asking (here) about major engine mods to increase HP. 86 auto. I have a shop that will install the motor for me. My questions are: What should I make should that they replace will installing motor, ie- new water pump, for sure. Is there anything I should make sure to ask the shop, check on? How much HP will the motor put out? My current vette has cast iron heads. The crate one should be aluminum, correct? How bout new wires, cap, rotor, coil? MSD? Accel? what's best? Okay, that's enough for this subject. NEXT Post to follow.
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Old Aug 20, 2003 | 06:21 PM
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Default Re: 383 Crate Engine... few questions (dbwade36)

You talking about having them build one or buying a crate, because a crate can come with some of the peripheral components already, depending on where you get it from.

No way to tell how much HP it'll make without knowing what cam/heads/intake are going on it.

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Old Aug 20, 2003 | 06:33 PM
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Default Re: 383 Crate Engine... few questions (vader86)

Shop is going to do some reach as to price of purchasing full crate engine. They will merely insall it. Should I ask what peripherals come with it, it so, what should I try to make sure is part on the package?
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Old Aug 20, 2003 | 06:35 PM
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Default Re: 383 Crate Engine... few questions (dbwade36)

You need to know EVERYTHING about that bottom end.
All peripherals, what materials used, etc.

It would depend on your final goal for the motor what to really make sure is in the package.
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Old Aug 20, 2003 | 06:44 PM
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Default Re: 383 Crate Engine... few questions (vader86)

final goal, simply speaking is about 100 HP gain at crank and decent durability. I don't track race and don't use as daily driver. I like to take it out on weekends and mostly do street driving, no "street racing" per sey, but I do like to gun it occationally and want to feel that neck snapping power. You are a technical expert, so I can't really say specifically what I desire.
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Old Aug 20, 2003 | 09:15 PM
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Default Re: 383 Crate Engine... few questions (dbwade36)

If you want ONLY +100hp at the crank, theres no need for a 383. The 383 will allow you to make over 400 at the crank, but its not necessary for a 330-350hp engine.

You could get that much out of a 350 quite easily. It would still involve cam/heads/intake changes. Most people go with the ZZ4 crate for the 350. They sell those at places like Scoggin-Dickey Parts.
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Old Aug 20, 2003 | 09:30 PM
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Default Re: 383 Crate Engine... few questions (dbwade36)

Does Travis still have an auto hobby shop? If so, they should be able to get a discount on a crate motor. As said before, you can build a 425 hp motor with just heads, cam, roller rockers, exhaust and leave the lower end alone. Take a look at http://www.moreperformanceinc.com for some of their packages for top ends. This might answer some of your questions.
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Old Aug 20, 2003 | 10:58 PM
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Default Re: 383 Crate Engine... few questions (dbwade36)

Just jumping in here with a few questions for you motor experts. With a crate engine can you just reinstall your TPI setup or do you need to do some porting of the runners and such? If no changes to the TPI setup are needed what type of gains will you see with the zz4 motor compared to stock. Do you need a new chip? I like the idea of the crate motor for proven performance along with durability and reliability.
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Old Aug 20, 2003 | 11:44 PM
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Default Re: 383 Crate Engine... few questions (86Pacecar)

The ZZ4's cam is small enough that a chip is not crucial to drivability, but its still needed for smooth idle and best performance.

It would be a good idea to port everything while you have it off, if you have to reinstall it on the crate.
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Old Aug 21, 2003 | 01:56 AM
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Default Re: 383 Crate Engine... few questions (dbwade36)

Better beware who's crate engine you are going to buy. There are lots of unscrupulous engine builders out there. I would buy from someone reputable such as LPE, Moore Performance to name a couple. It may cost you more in the begining but its well worth the extra $$ rather than the headaches of trying to recoupe from a bad deal.
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