While this project has been a long time coming I figure I will finally get a start on this thread and put up what pictures I have. The idea behind it was to replace my tired old L98 with a fresh drivetrain. keep all the creature comforts but get something a little more stout under the hood without breaking the bank. goal HP numbers are 300-350 but i'm sure I will be happy with however it turns out.

Here is yarding out the original engine

 

Ok so to star things off I picked up a block from Summit
(SUM-150100-30)
30 over one piece rear main seal and all the clearancing was done for a stroker crank.

Then I picked up an Eagle rotating assembly
( ESP-B13405L03053)
All the odds and ends either came with the kit and hardware was ARP

Very happy as always with Summit and the products from them and Eagle.

 

So far all that has been done is mating the block and the rotating assy. Hope to get more done when I get back home here in a few weeks.

 

Will be interested to see how this turns out as I am looking to build a similar setup. Looking good so far, hope it goes smooth.

 

I will try and update soon. Michigan winter prep has kept me from getting back to Nevada. I have some pictures with the oil pump/pickup and pan on with the block painted. hope to have more soon with part numbers

 

How did the block and rotating assembly check out for clearances, bore alignment, etc. Have read mixed things about summit block. They are on sale until end of year at $630! Even with companies that say blocks or rotating assemblies are machined (Dart SHP), you still need to do some minor clearancing work. Nothing is ever ready to go out of the box. Just curios since looking to build 383 also. Not sure if I can get everything myself and assemble or pay a local shop.

 

where are they on sale? I looked, but the price was $699

 

everything has checked out so far, very minimal surface rust in one or two places when I got it, but the green side of a sponge took it off. that's really the only thing I can stretch to complain about. I hope to get more part numbers and pictures up soon, had a intense course load over the fall but santa was good to me this Christmas so I have quite the pile of parts just waiting to be put on.

 

last progress that was made before it was lubed and bagged was got the block painted and the oil pump, pan and the bottom end misc. stuff, rear main seal and housing ect. together.

 

cant wait to see how this turns out

 

So I apologize for being so hit and miss on this, Michigan hasn't been the wonderful adventure I thought it would be over the last year and the car sadly has spent much time in storage back in Nevada. None the less I should be back to Battle Born by may and I did manage to sneek home for a weekend and mock up some of the parts I have been collecting. I will post part numbers for everything from the crank to the bolts for the fuel pump block off plate when I get settled back there, but for now here is another few pics to keep the anticipation building.

 

Look good, getting closer! What other engine parts are you using? Will you upgrade any of the TPI intake? Larger runners would really help on the 383.

 

Initially just going to run the stock setup, I have heard good and bad on the high flow runners so I'm going to see where im at and then go from there. Just dont know if the gains will be worth the extra cash. As im sure everyone has dealt with, this was supposed to be a budget build which I quickly got carried away on. Still relatively cheap, but I could have shaved a lot off but not gotten the performance I hope to have.

 

The stock runners are going to choke a 383 to a short weeze. They choke a 350 to under 4500 rpm. If you stay with original style tpi then check the classified boards for ported aftermarket parts. I understand it looks like more expense but the factory stuff isn't a match to a 383. And I've said it more than once, a holley stealth ram is a performance bargain.

 

I agree with this 100%. The stock TPI set up was designed to enhance the torque of the 305. In the 1980's GM wasn't sure if the 350 would be able to meet the emissions and fuel economy requirements the government was mandating. When they figured out that the 350 would be able to meet these requirements they just slapped on the TPI system on the 350 since technically the 305 & 350 are in the same engine family. Only mechanical change was a switch from the 305's 19 lb/hr injectors to 22 lb/hr injectors for 350's. Those long intake runners promote torque production by having a volume of air flowing in to the cylinders at low rpm's. Shorter intake runners shift that activity higher in the rpm band. To do it right they should have redesigned the intake for the increased air requirements of the 350 but, that would have cost more money in time, development, certification, etc.

I've got a ported long tube runner style TPI set up on my 350 - edlebrock base, SLP intake runners, ported plenum and 52mm throttle body. I've also got a cold air duct work so the intake draws in air directly behind the fog lights.

My motor is all stock but I've to full exhaust and intake boltons. You'll see an increase in torque with the ported intake parts. The biggest difference I have noticed is that from 4,500rpm-5,500rpm the engine will be able to breath and will hold power in that range longer than the stock TPI set up would.

Granted long tube runner TPI systems are centered around torque so if you are looking for a high-rpm screamer this intake setup won't work. I wanted power in the idle - 5,500rpm range so all of the mods I have made are oriented towards that goal.

A 383 TPI motor is a serious torque monster and will be really fun to drive. If you're going to keep the long tube runner TPI set up ported parts are the way to go if you don't want to switch over to a Holley Stealth ram or another kind of intake set up with shorter intake runners.

 

Subscribed!

 

That all great information, I knew these motors were more torque oriented but I had no idea about the system being developed for the 305. I have done some real minor port work on my runners, just smoothing out and massaging what I could reach up into the bend. how do you feel about those Edelbrock high flow TPI bases that summit carries?

I was looking on Hawks, the weiland stealth ram doesn't look too unreasonable but it says the bit about "Ample hood clearance". I'm not trying to get rid of my stock hood just yet, anyone know how much room "ample" really is?

 

If you stay with a long runner design you'll want ported aftermarket parts to support a 383. I would not pay over $800 for new unported intake parts. There were/are problems with the edelbrock castings leaking coolant at some point but that doesn't mean they all leak. A lot of people run them. The classified boards are your best option for long runner intake parts. The stock runners won't port out enough to be effective on a 383.


As far as the hood clearance with a HSR, they seem to fit fine under Camaro hoods without modification. Firebirds tend to make contact towards the throttle body so people usually cut a small section of the hood's underside. This is with normal rubber motor mounts and k member. Changing those may change clearances.

 

Edlebrocks intakes are good but they really need to be ported. I haven't had any leaks or problems with mine but out of the box they aren't much of an improvement over the stock TPI intake without porting.

 

well I have all but talked myself into the HSR, just a few details I need to know first.
1. Can we use the factory throttle body or is it also a point of restriction?
1b. if it is a problem are the twin 58mm's worth the money?
2.people seem to be having a hard time with injectors fitting with the Holley rails (534-186). looking for a good set of 24lb injectors that will go in without a hitch. from what I can find it seems the Bosch style are shorter and allow the bolt holes to line up properly I have heard good things about the following:
http://fuelinjectorconnection.com/sh...product_id=295
or
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/tf...t/model/camaro

 

The throttle body isn't a real restriction. Larger ones may gain you some power but not enough to be worth the cost of a new one. If the old one has worn out then buying a new one isn't a bad idea. You may score a good one on the boards if you keep an eye out. I can give you a reliable answer about the injectors. Best to keep searching the boards and/or talk to Southbay for answers to that.

 

How about something like a TPIS mini-ram intake - do you guys think that would work? With a 383 there shouldn't be any loss in torque and a lot left over to gain on the top end.

 

Mini rams are great. That's the best way to make max horsepower without switching to a single plane. And a FIRST is probably the best way to make max torque. Both are good choices depending on the goals of the builder/driver. The thing with a hsr, it's doesn't fall short in either category for significantly less money than a mini or FIRST. Owners goals and choice really.

 

TPIS has some bad A$$ stuff for upgrades. you will have serious torque with that tpi and it will be reliable, responsive and most important, FUN! Looks good man! keep the posts coming!

 

So will the stock TPI throttle body mount on the HSR? if so that saves me about 300 bucks over the 58mm one.

 

If I remember correctly, 88 and earlier tb's work fine. 89 and later needed a spacer or something of the like. You may want to research that before believing me.

 

So you guys won over my wallet and the HSR is at the shop. I'm getting anxious to get back home and get everything together. plan now is to head out of MI after this semester ends at the tail end of April, I am then taking a hiatus from work and school to focus on the important things in life, like my car, for a few weeks. So I will get all the data and pictures compiled shortly after that. till then more teasers.
Just the HSR and the last time I had the car on the road, about three days before this all began.

 

I think you made a good choice. It's the least expensive way to properly feed the 383. If I were in the same place I'd be reading every hsr thread I could find.

 

What oil pan are you using? I see its a morose but what's the part number?

 

I'm about two weeks from being back in Nevada and with the car. Once I get there I will put a full list of part numbers from head bolts to main bearings that were and will be used.
Without my receipt or my well inked up summit catalog in front of me, I think it was the 20182 but I will verify that when I get back out west.
I appreciate the interest in this project and I wish it could all come together quicker.

 

Let us Know if the HSR fits under the stock hood.Thanks,Steve

 

Stealth Rams will fit under a stock hood with some clearing to the underside of the hood. or the top of the tunnel itself. Doing one or the other will work for a camaro. you'll have to do both for a firebird.

 

I read a sweet article from gm performance that they built a stout 383 and they started with factory tpi and they made kike 450 tq and 750 tq. They then went to ported factory ones and then edelbrock ones and end with a hsr and the numbers balanced out to about 540/550. So with some extra dough you can make a crazy Street machine