I just started ordering parts for my 383 build. My goal for this engine is to have 500 fwhp and around 500 torque. This engine is gonna be a weekend warrior so i want a lopey idle cam. The parts i ordered already are.

gm performance parts 383 block 4 bolt mains
powerhouse 383 forged rotating assembly, Flat top pistons supposed to be 10.7:1 compression with 64 cc heads
Dart pro1 215 cc heads
Dart single plane intake manifold
Mighty demon 750 carb

For the cam i was thinking of running a solid roller, The one i was thinking of using was the comp cams xr286R kit with cam, lifters, timing set.

Pls tell me what u think of my setup and if this cam is a good choice and if not pls recomend one. Also do u think this engine will hit the 500hp mark. As i said before this is not a daily driver its a street/strip car so i want a big cam. Also can i run this engine on premium pump gas.

 

aluminum, or iron heads?

10.7:1, with that cam, should work on premium, with iron heads, i'd think. AL would be ok as well.

That sounds like a really good setup, make sure the rest of your drivetrain is ready for that.

 

Thanks alot sonix for the reply The heads are aluminum, thats good to here that it will run on pump gas, with the price of gas these days.
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As for the drivetrain i was thinking of buying a racing th350 with 3500 stall convertor and 4.10's in the rear.

 

rear end? 4.10 gears, but in what? ford 9"?

 

Well i am looking for a car to put in right now, I want a first gen camaro. I already have an 86 iroc z. I want to restore a 69 camaro and put the 383 in it. Isn't it against the rules to mix ford and chevy parts lol. Im not sure on the drivetrain yet that will come later. right now im focused on building the engine. This is my first engine build so im really gonna take my time to build it and make sure i do everything right. So u think that i will have no clearence problems with the parts i selected?

 

Sonix do u think this engine will make my 500hp goal?

 

probably. That's a big motor you're planning. You'll be doing a mess of tuning though.

Of course i'm going to say put it in a 3rd gen, because, well, look where you are.

 

Yea, that was a mistake to say i wanted a first gen on a 3rd gen site. But i have an 86 iroc the reason i dont wanna put it in my iroc is because its just too nice to start messing with. Its only got 69000 original miles and is a mint condition car. Also im doing this to gain experience so i want to do a whole car rebuild.

 

How rough of an idle do u think this cam will have?

 

not too bad. 800RPM idle, 12" vac say. It'll be pretty rumbly, but not undriveable.


sofakingdom may chime in, I think he may have experience with that very cam, in a similar sized motor (400cid).

 

Thanks alot sonix thats exactly what i want a nice rough muscle car idle.

 

Another question i have is can i use the springs that come on the dart pro 1 assembled heads with this cam or should i use the springs they recomend.

 

not sure what springs come on the dart heads. Got the spec in front of you?

got the spec the cam calls for too? They're probably in the same ballpark, but if you have the info...

 

Thats the problem im having i cant find the spec of the springs that come on the dart heads. Im gonna have to check again, but u said that they should be near the same range. The heads are made for racing so im sure they have to be strong springs.

 

I rechecked and found the specs.
Comp cams recomends using these springs #977-16, Dual, 1.460 in OD, 441 lbs/in, 1.195 coil bind.
From Dart i have a choose of three different springs pls tell me which one u think will work best.
1. Single, 1.254in OD, 417 lbs/in, 1.150 coil bind
2. Dual, 1.430 in OD 344 lbs/in, 1.150 coil bind
3. Dual 1.535 in OD, 483 lbs/in 1.170 coil bind

I think that the third choice are the closest to the recomended springs and will work best. Please give me ur opinion of which ones i should choose and will work best.

 

Take a look at what lift the cam has vs. how much lift Dart says the different setups will handle. I think the small springs support up to something like .510 lift.

 

hmm, I was hoping you'd say what seat pressure, and open pressure comp wanted that cam to have, and the seat and open pressures that Dart gave.

I think option #2 would probably work, that sounds like comp986's. The #3 would be better though.

 

Thats what i thought that the #3 is better, ill try to find more info but im probably gonna get the pro 1 heads with the #3 springs. Thanks alot sonix for ur advice.

 

I found more info
#1 are comp 981
#2 are comp987
#3 are comp 954

 

One more question do u think i should get the cam ground on a small base circle or do u think there be enough clearence.