Ok Flame suit on.
Before the Flames start flying about search and this and that. Ive been reading threads sense I bought the camaro days ago. Im still as confused as I was then.

Just bought a 88 IROC in Dire need of paint and engine. 5 speed trany and so on. Engine idea
350 block bored .30 over with a stroker kit havent decided on one or another as of yet.
HERE is my issue I want to stick with a 80's block like 82-88 vintage with 4 bolt mains. AND I want to stroke it and retain the TPI set up off a 88 I purchased from a freind. well most stroker kits require externally balanced. going stick I know good luck. What heads are recomended for t his set up was thinking of the casting 113 but I see more people going aftermarket or vortec. Will vortec heads even work on this block LOL Im more confused now then when i started reading as to what block is made when and nick named what and so on. AND no im not a moron actually late 70's early 80's I was a certified mechanic working in dealerships ........just been away from this world for a longg time and allot has changed

 

The first camaro I built was the first one I ever owned a 87 iroc with a 350 tpi and 700r4 trans. I used the stock block and built a 383. This was back in 94 to 95 when I built it. I had entertained running a aftermarket block with splayed 4 bolt mains but had a friend talk me into using the stock block. I used trick flo heads, mini ram intake, accel digital fuel injection setup, forged rods, forged pistons, and a full roller assy. I over built the engine because I was planning on running a power adder of some sort.

I had the trans rebuilt by a company in Co and ran a ford nine inch rear end. I had the car finished for all of one month before a cop in Albuquerque ran a red light and hit me totalling my car. I did have it tuned and went to the track once and ran in the 12's Seems like so long ago now though.

Ive been away from the car scene for awhile also. Im not sure about the vortec heads working on the early 80's block.

Here I am with a 400 out of a old rv it still runs but rough lol. Was planning on the 400 carbed with a six speed but now not sure about that. I also have a 350 out of a late 70s rv that is a 4bolt main and thought I might build that into a 383. I really want to go with a 383.

Wondering why you will have a hard time running a stick with a stroked engine. Like I said been out of the car thing for almost 10 years and now Im playing catch up also.

 

My understanding is most stroker kits are externally balanced like the old 400 small blocks where. Thats where Im getting fuzzy.......And the head choice of course

 

you can get the stroker kits either way, internal or external balance.

 

AWSOME
All Ive seen I swore where external Much like the old throw a 400 crank in a 350 block home brew 383 back in the day........Dam Im getting old.

 

The transmission doesn't care whether you're internally or externally balanced.

 

I was contiplating getting a flywheel and taking it in to be balanced. All the external kits Ive found where Flexplates. Im using a stick so would require getting the kit trashing the flexplate and taking the assembly in with the fly wheel to be balanced again. Kinda thought a internally balanced assembly would be cheaper in the long run

 

You can just run an off-the-shelf externally balanced flywheel if your 383 kit is balanced to stock 400 specs like most externally balanced kits are.

 

REALLY
This I didnt know. SO I just need to find a externally balanced Flywheel compatable with my stock 5 speed tranny/clutch. That will make things much cheaper. I was under the impression the flywheel/flexplate .....Harmonic Balancer and rotating assembly was balanced togethor.