I want to build a hot 383 or a 388 for my '93 but I also use it as my daily commuter car. I live 10 minutes from work so its not as bad as it sounds. Is it a good idea or am I asking for trouble?
Any input is welcome!

 

It's not a bad idea if you take that you want it for a daily driver into account.

This is probably going to get moved to LT1 tech.

Bret

 

depends, you can go as radical or tame as you want. small cam, low revs, good parts, GOOD engine builder- sure. it will be just as relaible as new.

Infact, some people can actually argue a rebuilt engine is MORE reliable if built the same as a new one. and for another $300-$500, you can drastically improve the quality of parts like bearings and rod bolts. the added stroke isn't helping much though.

 

Sorry about that. I saw that this thread was for strokers and whatnot, so I put it here.
So it would be alright? How bad will my mpg suffer? I had a carborated 383 once and it drank gas like no other. Not really worried about gas mileage, just never had a fuel injected stroker before and wondering what to expect.

 

I want a reliable engine, but about 350-400hp at the flywheel. Maybe more if I can get away with it. Not looking to have the badest on the road. Just a good toy.

 

400hp at the flywheel is cake.

355, ported heads, VERY mild cam, headers and roller rockers and supporting bolt ons should get you there. I wouldn't even bother stroking. But theres more than 1 way to do it. Thats just my 2 cents.

My 383 got about 20mph on the highway

 

I'm too new at this FI buisiness. I have a feeling I'm about to sink a grip of cash into a motor that will be a dog.

 

Do you see the SStrokerAce user above? He can help you. Seriously. And your motor will definitely not be a dog, and Bret's work is worth the cash.

 

More general engine tech should be discussed in LT1 Engine Tech for your year car. Transferring- thanks.

 

No reason it can't be, it's just another 33 cubes. Build it for the street and you will be fine.

 

Ive got a fairly large cam and its very streetable..I only have a mail-in tune also...I love my 383 I get around 14-17MPG depending on my foot..

Cody

 

Boost is right, you don't need to go crazy to get fuel economy and 400hp.

400hp is about 340rwhp or so.

Cubes and Cam Overlap (low LSA's) will degrade your fuel mileage. So if you get good head flow and a mild cam you can do well over 400hp with bolt ons.

Bret

 

Ok, so good head flow and a mild cam. What specs should the cam be? And what bolt ons do you suggest other than good headers and exhaust?

I have always been weary of messing with FI cars. All I have ever worked with is big carbs and insane cams. I can throw a regular stroker together or build a destroked engines all day, but when it comes to putting injection on top of it I'm lost! I got a few how too books on FI but that was a waste of money. I'm not tryin to build a $50,000 engine and thats all they describe in them.
So thank all of you for your help! Trust me.... I really need it!

Oh yeah, this is my 1st LT1... I never knew it was the same but so different than regular small blocks.

 

I'm getting 20mpg with mine high-way driving

 

my buddy put down 340 rwhp or about 400-410 flywheel hp with just bolt ons and a 224/230 cam. He now thinks that isn't enough and he is adding heads. My car is a daily driver. I drive it no matter what the weather is like. I've heard that adding cubes tends to make a bigger cam act smaller so a cam similiar to mine should be very livable. If you have good heads and a 230+ duration cam you can put down 400 to the ground.