Hello, I am considering getting an LT1 and 4L60E and doing a 383 conversion to put into my 1971 Camaro. Besides all the retrofit things I had a few questions about the 383.

1. In our fuel mileage conscious world we live in, does the 383 get reasonable mileage?

2. Who is the best business to go to to get the 383 kit for the LT1?

3. For those who have a 383 LT1 how do you like it?

4. Is there anything in particular I should know, pros, cons, etc.?

Thanks for your help!!

 

I like my 383. I really don't find the mileage to be any worse than when it was a 350. 383 stroker kits are available from a variety of places - as long as you stay with good parts (Eagle, etc.) and have a good machine shop to do the block, you're in good shape.

 

Thanks for your help, that all sounds good.

 

If you go with Eagle I hear it is best to get it balanced from them because they can sometimes take a lot to balance, let them deal with it and I believe it is flat rate.

 

i still get about 22 MPG on my 383.

it doesnt matter who as long as you buy the parts you'll be using. nos? buy forged. NA you can get hyper pistons and cast crank. boost? you'll need all forged internals.

i'm wondering what took me so long to do it...i love having all the torque i would ever want.

i have a cc306 cam and i regret going so small. for another 50 bucks i wish i had gone with a custom cam from an expert's opinion. also, if you have an auto you'll need a high stall converter...about 3200 stall. while you're at it, go ahead and rebuild the tranny with high performance parts. you dont need to make it bullet proof but it does need better parts. invest in ECM programming software and learn to use it properly. do your own tunes. depending on your power you'll also need bigger injectors...a lot of people are running 42's but i wouldnt go less than 36.

 

that's a 400 dollar option from eagle. BTW, it took my kit 350 in weights to be balanced...no charge for actual balancing my assembly by my builder.

other manufacturers also offer kits that are ballanced, for the best performance go with Callies dragonslayer kits. fully forged race ready kits that are ballanced.

 

Eagle has some nice stroker kits, but for a little more you could have a Compstar Speed Pack. And if you are looking for something a little higher end we can put together a package with a Callies Dragonslayer, Compstar connecting rods, and Diamond Pistons.

 

id do the callies...i've never heard of anything bad from them. everyone else i've heard something bad about...scat has crappy cranks, eagle's expensive for what you want...whatever the case...but i've never heard of any bad from callies.

if i did it over again i'd go callies. but...i had no money when i ordered my kit so i only spent about 1300...and actually was never charged for it. i contacted the guys 3 times about taking my money and they never did...free rotating assembly. if i'd know that i wouldnt have skimped for money.

 

Callies crank, Oliver 5.85" rods, JE pistons...hasn't been touched since assembly in 1995! 20 mpg highway and runs 11s on radials...maybe low 11s as I haven't been to the track this year after some changes, but I have been very happy with the rotating assembly...It wasn't cheap, but after 11 years it doesn't owe me anything...Its also nice to not rev to the moon to make power..shift points are 6300rpm...I also use a weenie 226/234 cam, too...Its a friggin blast to drive...

--Alan

 

Dont go with Eagle, always 300 or so off on the crank. Will cost you as much to have it balanced as it would for a forged crank. I regret going with Eagle, go with Lunati or something.

 

Personally, if you get ahold of a 96+ LT1 block, do what I did. Reuse the PM Rods and get them floated with ARP bolts, (I regret) Eagle 3.750" crank, cc468 .584/.579 (great cam), ARP Main kit, Clevitte bearing set, Hyper KB Pistons floated 11.7:1 compression with Hastings race rings, HV oil pump from melling and 7qt pan. You can use some other stuff but that's what I did. M6 though. I have 388 due to 4.060 bore which I would recommend, makes more power and more lower and top end power.

 

What are your longer term plans? HP is addictive; if later you're going to want to add nitrous or a blower, you'll wish that you added forged internals.

 

First of all, thanks to everybody for all the replies!

As for long term plans, I do not think I will be adding anything like a blower or nitrous. A blower is tempting, but I hope after going from a mild 350, to a LT1 383 in my '71 Camaro, that it will be enough.

I was originally looking at a 383 kit on eBay with Eagle products but now Eagle does not seem to be getting a sterling review.

 

Well contact Victory Racing Engines and see what they can do for you. I have only heard good things about them....Can't hurt.....

 

I have been satisfied with my assembly which is eagle. but it is all forged, and I really don't know how hard it was to balance, the shop did it for me, got it under a gram