I'm about 2-3 weeks away from firing up my 383 powered K5 with SD system. I'm a little worried about it right now to be honest. I'm hoping it will at least start and run on the stock AUJP bin without hurting the engine (sizeable chunk of $$) so that I can start the tuning process... I'll have to shut off VATS well as EGR I'm sure (old vehicle and no emissions tests in KS).

I think I'll have to adjust the injector constant for my 24lb/hr injectors (actually bench tested closer to 25!) and adjust the VE tables for the volume of the 383 before I try to crank it. Is there anything else I may want to adjust before I turn the key and potentially melt down my toy?

As far as sensors and vacuum lines, I plan on triple checking them for proper operation before I start. Oh yeah......and I had a brain fart when I took the original distributor out.....forgot to mark it, so the new one could be 180* off that might leave a mark.

Any advice from you guys and gals out there that have experience with this is appreciated!
Thanks!

 

Don't worry about anything. With no load on an engine it's darn hard to damage it, and the stock tune is not agressive in any way. Just get your base timing roughed in at first (if you have a flat tappet cam), and rev it up soon for break in (move the dizzy around a little to get smooth running). Keep an eye on things, and shut down if you see problems (some smoke coming off the outside of the exhaust is normal on a new install, but keep an eye out for melting plastic). You're more likely to have problems with the installation than the calibration. Keep an eye on the temp gauge and oil pressure, and look for leaks. Set base timing correctly before you drive, and be easy on it for a while.

For the dizzy, just pull the number 1 spark plug, and rotate the engine by hand until you feel air being pushed out the plug hole (helps to have all plugs removed, and a friend to rotate the engine somehow), and then bring it to 0degrees on the balancer. Point the rotor to the #1 cylinder, and drop it in (or do all of the above with the dizzy in, and see where it's pointed when at TDC and compression).

 

Thanks for the reply RednGold86Z! So if I understand you correctly, a mildly built 383 will still start and run well enough on the stock AUJP.bin to begin tuning (with the initial adjustments mentioned above of course) without hurting anything. Cool!

You mentioned watching the temp guage..... I did notice when the 383 had a carb it ran great when it was (IMO) really warm (190*+or-) So I put a stock TPI temp thrmostat in it (195*) and hope that will make initial tuning a little easier. (engine previously had a 180* thermo)

This may not be the correct place for this thread because I'm going from carb to TPI and 350 to 383. However I asked here first since I was most concerned about the .bin tune. If anyone thinks of something else I may want to watch please let me know!

Thanks!
Russ

 

[QUOTE=plowboy77]Thanks for the reply RednGold86Z! So if I understand you correctly, a mildly built 383 will still start and run well enough on the stock AUJP.bin to begin tuning (with the initial adjustments mentioned above of course) without hurting anything. Cool!



Should have no problems. I started my 436 up with the stock AUJP Bin. I have #36 injectors. Except for being real fat at idle, it should start and run, and be ready for some tuning.

 

Excellent! Time to go read up on tuning!

Thanks for the help.
I just have to say that the experience and knowledge of the people on this board has been indispensable in my project!