im going with a high rpm 383 setup when i get my motor back...

my question is, what should i be looking for in a cam to get to my goal of 550whp

my engine builder is gonna want to go to about 8k rpm. he wants me to take part in the build and learn as much as i can about it while he is going through the whole process. so he told me to do some research on cams and come back with some suggestions.

so anything you guys tell me will be a great help

 

Why does he want you to turn it that high? You are aware you are going to need a standalone computer because the stock pcm will only go to 7K right?

 

no i was not aware of that

i do have a nice laptop, will that be enough or do they need specific things

 

You need a complete replacement for the engine management functions of the stock PCM to run >7,000rpm. Anyway, no street motor with a 3.48 or 3.75" stroke will last if revved that high. You need to rethink this whole thing. What you to approach that kind of power NA is a killer set of heads and a good cam. 8,000rpm just is not where you want to go.

Rich

 

i wanted to pass emissions thats why we figured wed go with a high rpm setup rather than a big cam....unless i heard him all wrong

 

You can't turn high rpm without a big cam. You will not pass any kind of emissions testing with a 550rwhp NA small block. You will need a blower or nitrous to do that.

Rich

 

YIKES high rpm stroker. That would cost alot and probably not last so long. If emmisions are a problem then just move to Wyoming...hehe we dont have to pass em.

 

the whole engine rebuild costs alot..... every time i talk to my builder he seems confident that we can do it, and ive seen a few of the 383's he has done and they are top notch stuff. but then i get on here and get discouraged. you guys have never driven me in the wrong direction so i totally believe what your saying

 

I think you are taking the wrong approach. How much do you want to spend and how do you plan to use the car? What limitations are there on the configuration, such as emissions (which you already mentioned). There is just not enough info to even guess at what cam you will need. But forget 550rwhp NA unless you are prepared to spend $25-30,000 and you will then still not pass emissions.

Rich

 

You really dont want to spin a 383 that high... Maybe a 377, 327, or 302, but not a 383! I had a 383 that made power up to 6600 rpm and when I was flogging it, I would be shifting at 6800... Needless to say.. Its broken now... This is what will happen to that motor if you spin it that high...

http://64.81.235.17/~mleaf/engine/ka...24x768%20pics/

If you want to make that much power and turn a lot of rpms, you will need a fairly HUGE cam, some kickazz heads and a super stout bottom end... It will cost you way more than it would be worth in a street car..

If you want to make killer power, put a blower on there.. The right setup with a good blower would be good for 600+rwhp and it would still be streetable.. Besides.. ATI knows what the hell they are doing!

 

ouch

 

Honestly... it CAN be done, but it wouldnt be wise to do so... 550 rwhp requires alot of high dollar parts that you probably arent ready to spend that kinda money on. You are looking at possibly 18* /RR heads, custom manifolds, custom headers, custom valvetrain w/ offset rockers and lifters, stand alone PCM....

The cam required for that application might not be as big as everyone claims (depending on the heads) but it will not pass a sniffer. The only way cars like s2000s get that high is with their dual pattern cams.

If I were you, I would follow everyone elses advise and look towards a blower. NA horsepower is VERY expensive once you get over 400 rwhp in an LT1.

Could he possibly mean 550 fwhp... because there is a BIG difference.

 

ive been out doing alot of reaserch
and (not that i didnt believe you) it will be very expensive, but this engine builder is used to unlimited budgets...
wich i dont have

i do have a good amount of money and i def believe what you all say...
but if i do go with forced induction i would want more like around 650 whp closer to the 700hp mark....

i have the car 100 percent stripped of everything and i plan on running it at the track, driving it on the street but just to go to car shows with it. and then for the bragging rights

any thoughts?

 

You can definitely get this setup going but like everyone else said, its going to cost you. I dont know what all you have done to your car now but dont forget about suspension. You will need at least 2500 bucks to get it ready for that power but realistically you will spend closer to 3500 (thats still getting really good prices on items and possibly purchasing some used) when its all said and done. an upgraded rear is ~2000 bucks while the clutch you would want to use will be a McCleod Dual disc which is 1000 bucks. Then you will still need subframes and other complementing components. I am by no means trying to discourage you rather just making sure you know what you are getting into. If you are seriously interested in this setup, get ahold of Fast93Z. I think thats his screen name. His real name is Tony and i know he has a setup similar to what you want and makes great power.

good luck
Bobby


**edit** found his website: www.fast93z.com

 

well doing things NA isnt the way to go if i am going to be rebuilding the car eveyr year or so.... i dont have the money for that or the time

i need something to be semi reliable and have lots of power
i have been searching some superhcarger info and they make some really good power.... but then ive got to choose a supercharger and how much boost and different heads and...... these decisions have been whats keeping my car off the road for almost a year now