I sat down tonight and put together a list of everything I have bought (so far) to put my car back together and complete the engine swap. This got drastically more expensive when I realized I had to replace the block halfway through the process. The heads, carb, and headers were bought when this was just going to be a simple rebuild and carb swap. It has gotten to be more than that. Those items concern me now. I don't think they'll match up well to the 383. Car: 1988 Camaro Iroc-Z Purchase Price 0 Item Price Phoenix Performance Stall Converter 399.99 2600-2800 RPM Stall 383 Short Block (T&L Engine Development) 2,411.00 Scat Cast Crankshaft Scat 6" Forged I-Beam Rods MAHLE Forged Pistons Moly File Fit Rings GM 4-Bolt Main Roller Block Dura-Bond Cam Bearings King High Performance Bearings Melling Oil Pump Gasket Set Replacement Dash 225.00 Non A/C Heater Box and Controls Replacement Dash Pad 100.00 Comp XR276HR-10 Cam 420.00 Duration @ 0.050": 224° / 230° Lobe Separation: 110° Max Lift w/ 1.5RR: .502" / .510" Wysco HEI Distributor 65,000V Coil (SkipWhite) 50.00 601 Casting GM Heads - 2.02/1.6 vales, .550 lift springs 399.00 Heads are thoroughly cleaned and inspected Pressure tested to ensure no cracks or leaks Machined with 16 BRONZE THICK WALL GUIDES 3 ANGLE Valve job / Pocket Ported All new 3/8 screw in studs and guide plates GM 10-Bolt Posi Rear w/ 4.10 Richmond Gear 350.00 1.5 Ratio Steel Roller Rockers 100.00 Std Length Hardened Pushrods 50.00 Poly Transmission Mount 20.95 Hooker 2460HKR Headers 159.95 Mallory 3-Port Fuel Pressure Regulator 76.88 700R4 Universal Lockup Kit 78.88 Edelbrock Performer RPM Intake 129.74 Holley DP 650CFM Carb 314.25 Misc Brackets/Hoses 100.00 Labor for the machine shop to tell me my block was cracked. 50.00 5435.64 ---------- Oh yeah.. Alston SFC's (don't build a thirdgen without em) 189.00

same thing happend to me man, i planned a simple cam swap for my L98 and now its turned intoa fully forged 383 buildup with new everything pretty much. SOOO much invested over the simple cam swap idea

heads i'm not sure what the flow numbers are, but most stock castings are not very good. But everything else you have there looks good. carb/intake/cam should work well. Only thing i could see is upgrading heads to better units but it should run ok as is

do you plan on spraying this car? i see forged pistons there with cast crank and i beam rod.

I was thinking the same thing about the heads. Ah well, I'll stick em on there and see how it runs I guess....

Nah, this car will be NA as far as my current plans go. The forged pistons are likely overkill, but I didn't want to be caught by another "gotcha" if plans change later so I bought a short block with decent internals.

yeah that shortblock will handle some mods thats for sure. 150 shot should be no problem at all.

Consider it a lesson learned for me. Plan for larger/faster/more than what you have in mind at the moment..

Those headers also concern me. With this build I wish I had some lt headers. Not sure what I am going to do for exhaust yet.

yeah granted shorty headers arent the best for higher performance and bigger engines, but still can make some power

A good shorty header setup would be one of the 1 3/4" setups like SLP's or Dyno Don's. SLP isnt made anymore i think, but dyno don has some and they are pretty good headers capable of making loads of power

If I replace the 2460's I'll probably go for a set of long tubes. You're right though, some of the shorties aren't too shabby. Just mine, lol.

Took some pics of the short block today before we start assembling. Crappy phone camera quality...

nice, looks like mine red block is nice!

Actually, it's "Chevrolet Orange." Stinkin camera makes it look more red than it is. Thanks though!


I ordered an A/C delete and smog delete pulley. Got those in yesterday. It's starting to come together...

oh ok, my red block looked somewhat orange in the pics i took