OK. I've researched so many engine combos my head is spinning! However, I have come up with this combo for my 383 project:

Hypereutectic flat top pistons; 10.25:1 compression; 5.7" rods; AFR 190 heads; TPIS ZZ-409 cam; Stealth Ram; N/A; fresh air kit; long tube headers; Borla exhaust; Accel DFI; 700R4; 3.73 gears.

It'll go in the '87 Z28 in my sig. Does that cam/head/induction combo sound OK to you guys? Since this is my first EFI buildup, I'm open for your suggestions/comments.

Thanks.

 

Take the money you have for that Accel DFI, spend $200 of it buying PROM burning equipment, take another $100 and convert to speed density, and take the leftover $1000+ and spend it on something more worthwhile like slicks, a Spohn torque arm, or a night on the town with a hot woman in each arm. DFI is totally unneccessary for what you have listed. The factory EFI computer is more than capable of handling what you're going to throw at it.

 

Looks like a good setup. I like it.

I agree w/ trying to burn your own PROM's first, unless you just don't have the time and DO have the money to spend on DFI.

 

I was sitting on the fence about the DFI, but I think you are right, Brad. I don't mind burning my own chips; I would welcome the challenge. I knew that you guys would give me your unfettered opinion and I appreciate it. Being a relative newcomer to EFI hot rodding, I've had to alter my thinking about a lot of things, and this forum has been a great help.

FWIW I was gonna go with Lingenfelter's 74219 stick and the SR, but I have thought from the beginning that the SR is overpriced. No offense to those who run it and like it, but to me, it just seems like a glorified TPI and not a fresh idea. Not that its such a bad thing; it obviously works. To each their own.

Thanks for your input and all comments are welcome!

 

Honestly, if it were actually easier to tune DFI to run your new combo I would say it might be worth the price of admission. However, being that you are relatively new to hot rodding EFI applications, it will be no more difficult to learn to burn your own PROMs as opposed to tuning DFI. Remember, the engine is not going to want different tuning based on what computer it is running. It will want the same tuning regardless of what electric box is behind it. Therefore the learning curve is the same for either application, the price difference is what makes one worth the effort over the other.

 

Well then I will go for the setup I listed above. And I will stick with the stock ECM and convert to speed density. I do appreaciate the advice.

BTW, I hope my SR comments didn't offend you. I notice you both run them and I know they do work well. Mr. Lingenfelter can certainly build some fire breathers with it and many folks use them with good success. It just don't seem like my thang, ya know?

 

No problem. If the Stealth Ram would have been around when I built my engine, I probably would have went with it. The SuperRam is a proven intake though when matched with the right parts. A lot of Vette guys in the 11's N/A, where I hope to be this year.

I hope to see some good times from the Stealth Ram too, I think it has potential to be a solid 11 sec intake with the right combo and I'm looking forward to seeing what cam and heads work best with it.

 

I think in the long run you will find tuning your own proms very rewarding. You can use that money you saved from the DFI and put it to use somewhere else in the car.

 

While that cam is proven - an LT4 Hot is $200 cheaper and works well. I believe it is what Mike Davis runs in his 11 second Stealth Rammed 350. The cat back - been there done that, I think you can buy something just as good or better for less. I also have to agree on going w/ SD and the GM 7730 ECM. Other than that - looks like you have a killer set up IMO.

 

Well, gentlemen, I had a thought today........

I have to collect the rest of the parts to build the killer 383 mentioned above, which may take a little while. So, in the meantime, since the old 305 still runs reasonably well (in spite of its 188,000 miles), I think I will use it as a test mule to get the car changed over to S/D. That way it will be ready for the new engine. I will also use the time to plumb up my fresh air intake system (homemade) and practice burning some PROMs. Also, its not my main transportation so I don't have to rely on it.

Whaddya think?

 

That is a good idea. Swap the ecm and start tuning with the 305.
Then you will be familar with the concept so when your big, bad stroker graces the fenders of your ride it will be better for you.

What are you going to use for your internal parts for the long block? What crank, rods, piston, bearings, etc.? I'm just curious?

My 383 has an 80 block, Cola 4340 forged crank, Eagle H-beam 4340 forged rods, JE forged pistons. I used Clevite bearings through out with Fel-pro gaskets.

Good luck with your swap.

 

What I already have:
2 bolt block from an '87 truck w/1 piece main seal.
Steel stroker crank
Eagle H beam rods
Speed Pro flat top hypereutectic pistons

What I need:
Clevite 77 bearings
Speed Pro plasma-moly rings
ARP main & head studs
Windage tray and oil pan
ZZ-409 stick
Comp Cams lifters & roller rockers
Cloyes True Roller timing set

Of course, the usual blueprinting and balancing.

More or less, that's the plan.

 

Just in case anyone other than me cares, here's a quick update on my project. The block and rotating assembly are at Simons Balancing in Charleston, SC being blueprinted and balanced. Here are the specs: bored .030" over w/torque plates, decks trued and cut for .005", deck plugs, full balancing on rotating assembly.

I have also acquired all the parts necessary to convert to the 730 ecm and will start doing that next week, time permitting. So there you have it, just a little update. I'm excited anyway!

 

Sounds like you're right on track. If only my projects could go so smoothly...

 

Sounds good man. Just curious though, roughly how much would you say the parts were to convert over to Speed Density? Just an "estimate" would be cool since you have recently gotten the parts. Thanks and good luck with the rest of your project. later

 

Well, I paid $67.50 shipped for the ECM, MAP and pigtails. Found it on ebay. The guy's user ID is mickey@kyonline.net He usually has some ECMs up along with other cool used parts so check it out. The local yards wanted too much for them ($100 and up!) Now I just have to get it done. I need to get a burner and some software now so I can start the learning curve. I have lots of challenges ahead!

 

thanks for the quick response! Yeah, i have been looking around on ebay and it seems that may be the route i may go. Thanks for the help and once again, good luck with your set up! later man

 

Well here we are 6 months later and I'm just starting on the ecm swap. I'm in the HVAC repair business and as such the summer months don't afford me much time to play. But things are easing up now and today I started repinning the plugs for the 7730 ecm. I'll let you know how that turns out. As far as the motor I'm happy to report that the bottom end went together well with no major clearance problems, but 2 rod bolt/cylinder bottoms were close so we went ahead and relieved them all. Now, if the cam clears I'll be in good shape. Next up: getting the cam and timing set ordered.

Its a slow go but that's where I stand as of now, again, if anyone else is interested.

 

in my opinion, switching to speed density would be a waste of time. it is just as easy to tune maf as it is SD. just my 2 cents.

 

Too late! Waste of time is almost complete. Now I just need a V8 Memcal, a '92 knock sensor and she'll be ready for a smoke test.

I'm aware that there are different schools of thought in the debate over MAF vs. S/D and I made this decision consciously, with much research here at these forums as well as other resources. So, clippjr8, while I do respect your right to your opinion, and welcome your input I don't want this to become another MAF vs. S/D flame war. I've seen those here and they always get ugly. Its just my little ongoing thread about the progress of my project.

 

Wow, you switched to SD as one of your first mods. What a waste, no really. I guess Buckeye did that too and it made such a big difference. Wait a minute he runs a lightly modified MAF chip. :lala:

 

Actually tuning MAF is much easier. I just don't see why so many people recommend swithing ecms when you can run fast with either. The poor guy is just going to waste that much more of his time on earth fiddling w/ the more complex aspects of the SD system. I say fiddle with what you got and the lucky ones are the ones with MAF to start with.

 

Hopefully the debate is over at this point, the guy doesnt care and it doesnt make a difference.

What's important now is what you do with your combo, and I can't wait to see your results! I have a 92 SD TPI and am planning nearly the exact same combo, with the exception that I know NOTHING about cams. I'd like to see what you get out of your selection, it'll help me make mine! Good luck with your tuning!

 

Thank you jamesbob02. I refuse to enter the debate because its one that nobody can win. Besides, its a moot point now, for me at least and I'm not interested in sparring with anyone over it. FWIW I spent many hours researching this and its not something I decided on the spur of the moment. Everyone here has been very helpful to me so far and I appreciate this vast wealth of knowledge.

 

On this whole MAF/ SD debate, I wish it could be outlawed here at TGO. Its so silly to even discuss because as you said you can research it all.

Good luck with your engine, you should really enjoy the 383, lots of torque = big smile when you wast a Z06 on your way to get groceries!!! Man, that guy was pissed...

 

Well I got the car running after the 730 swap, haven't had as much time to devote to it as I had hoped. It did go off without a hitch and fired right off with the 730 ECM. I started with a virgin AUJP .bin which I copied off a new MemCal and saved, then used TunerPro to change the injector constant, cylinder displacement, disable VATS and change the fan on/off temps and burned it to a new chip. I almost felt guilty about hacking up that new MemCal, but since it turned out so well it doesn't seem so bad now.

It was pig rich when it first fired off, and I remembered that I hadn't disconnected the cold start injector. So I stopped it, disconnected the CS injector and that fixed that. Did an oil/filter change just in case, and the oil did have a gassy smell, so I suppose some fuel got into the crankcase. Tomorrow I'm gonna use my friend's scanner and log some data, then I can start practicing the tuning.

As far as the engine, I have everything here to finish the short block, we'll get back on that after Christmas. That's all I have for now........