To make a long story short, my LT1 recently had a head gasket failure. No internal damage, but since it has 125,000 miles of fun under it, I figured now was a good time to do what I really want to do with the engine.

I'm having a 383 built, with the following specs:
cast crank (Eagle or Scat)
forged pistons, 10.5-11:1
stock intake and heads, both ported (gasket matched)
52mm TB
shortie headers (Edel.)
CAI

As you can see, this is not too exotic a build-up. The car is driven daily (well, not at the moment ). My conservative goal is roughly 400 (crank) hp in a package that will be civilized. I'd like a cam that will give me good power across a wide band, a little bit of lope at idle, but reasonable enough to live with every day. I don't want something that will barely idle or surges while cruising in 6th.

Basically..... as much power as I can get out of this package without sacrificing too much drivability. I'm willing to go off-the-shelf or custom ground for the cam, BTW. Just having a little trouble translating all the #'s into real-world info.

Thanks for any input.

---Dave

 

If you are willing to go custom, contact Bret with Bauer Racing Engines. He should be able to get you a custom cam matched to the rest of your combo.
If you want off-the shelf, I would try the GM847. Actually, I have almost the same combo and that is what I will be using.

 

I dont think i would run a 383 with stock heads.

If you only wanted around 400 flywheel horse power you could slap in an LT4 hotcam kit for $700 bucks and be all set.

If you were willing to get some heads that will support your 383, having 400RWHP would be a very attainable and even conservative goal on a streetable setup.

 

If your goal is only 400 flywheel hp than no need for a custom cam. Just pick an off the shelf grind like the hot cam or GM846 and you'll reach your goal. These cams in a 383ci motor will idle and drive almost like stock.

 

Thanks for the help, guys.

I've been thinking of the GM847 & hotcam. Could anyone compare the 2 of them for me?

Valkyn71: I agree that a good set of aftermarket or heavily reworked heads would be preferable... maybe I'll be doing that down the road.

Any more opinions out there?

Also, I have not decided yet on RR's vs. stamped pieces. I know that stamped rockers aren't cool, but I'm not sure that rollers are worth the $ for this build-up.

 

Dave
Do you have any head flow numbers.If you do I will run it on my set up and see what it comes up with for cam number's.

 

Thanks for the offer, but I don't have any #'s on the heads, since they've just gone to the machine shop, along with the block.