well, i was toying with getting a fuel injected 350 and goint 383 with it and modding everything, heads, cam, pistons, everything.
but i been lookin at the engine bay pics, and the TBI motors with no wiring in the bay look really sweet, so easy to work on etc. etc.

how much horsepower can i get out of a 383? i wanna get in the 400 range...how can i do this with a TBI?

 

You sound pretty decided on TBI =)
Why not old fasion carb?Less wiring and get rid of puter =)
I'm far from being capable of advising you on performance upgrades but I have heard A lot of people say TBI sux and someone explained that it was strictly made to get by emissions. Old carb is a lot better from a performance stand point. (So I hear)
TPI is suppose to be better but so damn expensive.

Again I wouldnt take any of this input as solid refrence. LoL

GoodLuck on your mission!!!

 

thanks! whats the difference between carb and TBI? is 400 hp capable in a carb or TBI?

 

I'm, by all means, not an expert either. But from what I have gathered, you can get more power, cheaper with a carb, probably a 4-bbl. If you want 400HP from your 383, a 4-bbl carb will be the easiest way to go. I have a 305 TBI in my car now, and I'm fine with it. I want a 383 also, and I am planning either TPI, or a 4-bbl. TPI, from what I understand, has a brouder(sp?) torque curve than TBI, meaning that it makes more torque, longer. But you can tune a carb, for whatever you want.
I believe the main difference between carb and TBI is that, the TBI is a 'fuel injected carb'. I'm not sure the exact difference, but TBI is probably more fuel efficient since the injectors are controlled by the computer, rather than just a vacuum controlled carb. I hope this helps a little. But, as I said before, I'm just starting too, and this is what I picked up along the way too. If I'm wrong, sorry. Others on this board, are more qualified to answer these questions than me, but I tried.

 

sounds about right.
I would go with ether TPI or Carb.
you can get a Carb engine looking really clean.
i thnk everyone will say 383 and TBI don't mix....
biker

 

If you want 400 horsepower, do not go with TBI. TBI can only support up to 400 horsepower, and then on it can't give the needs of the motor. I you want 400 hp, you don't need the extra cubic inches of a 383, but it will help. Car Craft has done quite a few buildups for sbcs. Their 383 in their Nova makes 580 hp. The motor cost em 4,800.

 

TBI is not good at supporting high HP engines......It's just not effective....

Carbs get worse gas mileage without tuning and modifying.....

TPI is better then both...IMO....but it's more expensive....

 

if you want a clean engine bay go with a carb, if you want a clean vehicle (ie pass emissions) TPI is the best

 

A clean TBI-TPI post... amazing.

You might be able to pull 400 out of a hat with a TBI, but I dont think anyone has done that yet, or at least hasnt come to this message board to say so. Not naturally aspirated anyway. Might be a bit of a challenge with no end in sight.

TPI, yea it could be done. I think if you siamese the stock base, port match it all, cut down the EGR wall, and use a speed density setup with a custom chip for simplicity and a good tune, you could hit 400 on a 383 without too much trouble. It'd more than likely make more with better intake parts or a different induction though.

Carb would be easiest. No issues with being too small or too restrictive. Fuel mileage, you can do that too, contrary to popular opinion. Everyone seems to think FI is the savior when it comes to fuel mileage, but its just a matter of proper tuning. FI affords some part throttle driveability because, mostly, of the adjustment available with timing. I still dont think its all that in comparison to a properly setup carb, when you look at the dollars and tuning headache involved in a nice FI setup.

Pick what floats your boat. Just keep in mind if you use the TBI, you are really treading in uncharted territory and may not get to where you want. TPI and carb, been done.

 

Carb is the cheapest by far. You can buy the best off-the-shelf carb for ~$450, and a great intake for ~$200, and you'd be in heaven.

If you'd like to go TBI, don't even try and mess with the factory computer. Do yourself a favor and get the Holley Commander 950 series 700cfm 4 barrel TBI setup with the ECM for $1350. It doesn't come with an intake manifold, but it's set up to use on a standard bore 4 barrel intake which you can buy as cheap as ~$100.

I know that sounds like a lot of cash, but the next step is the Stealth Ram which is ~$2300, but comes with an intake manifold. And FYI, Car Craft did an article on the Stealth Ram system, and tested it next to the Commander 950 on a ~400HP engine. The Stealth had a 1000 cfm TB compared to the 700 cfm TBI, and it only averaged ~10 HP more. IMO, that's not worth $1000 more.

Plus you can spend the extra $50 for the 900 cfm Commander TBI and you'd be right there on HP.

You can find either system at www.holley.com , www.jegs.com , or www.summitracing.com

AJ