383 engine build

[jseal-57]

so i finally decided what i wanted to build. im going to be building a all forged 383 LT1. i would just like to know whats a good out of the box H/C/I i could use for the build? i want around 500hp and keep it pretty street friendly and possibly run NOS. i was looking at AFR, trickflow, and edelbrock heads and then a LT4 intake and a cam to match it up. im looking at spending 7000 to 8000 on the build plus tuning. any help would be great thanks

[96LT1355Z28]

Try searching H/C/I setups and see what others are using and who has the results you want. I suggest setting a performance level goal like 1/4 mile ET or lap time rather than HP. This is because HP numbers can vary so much given the setup and dyno. Unless of course you just want a dyno queen with big numbers that is out performed by cars with better performance and lower said numbers!

To answer your question an LE2 or AI 200cc H/C/I with a quality assembled 383 short block will get you your 500 HP goal pretty easy with a simple 150 shot. The LT4 cam and intake are not worth buying unless there is a problem with your LT1 intake and the LT4 is under $100.00. The LT4 cam isn't really an upgrade from the LT1 cam and especially if your doing heads on a 383. I believe the LT4 intake will require a different intake gasket but don't quote me on that. Remember to build the car for the engine not the other way around. RWHP is useless if you can't put it to the ground. Putting either of the listed engine combo's in an otherwise stock car will result in broken parts and disappointment.

Your budget should allow you to do either of the engine combo's I suggested.

[jseal-57]

ok i guess i want to run mid 12's on motor and high 11's on nos but that would be on very good conditions. if i can get the car 12 flat on nos i would be happy. thats on a normal sunny day. the 8000 is just for the motor the little stuff to go with it. i will be upgrading the rear end and tranny as well. along with suspension upgrades. the car is mostly going to be driven on the street and highways. also i am going to a 3.73 or 4.10 gear.

[jseal-57]

so i was checking out the heads and cam for elliottsportworks. im thinking of going with the LE2 heads and 226/232 .578/.574 110 LSA cam. should i use my stock intake the way it is or get it ported or buy a new one? also what size of injectors should i use? im new to this efi world and used to using carbs.

[RamAir95TA]

You could buy my entire car for $1500 more if you're interested.

Okay...continue thread...

[96LT1355Z28]

Nice sales pitch Joe!:D OP, An AI 200cc or LE2 setup will get you a 12.0 time slip without a doubt and easy 11's on NO2. Email them and they can tell you if it's worth your $ for them to port your intake. As far as cams go that's a question for them as well, I'm not knowledgeable enough in cams to offer spec advice. There are some injector calculators that will help you figure out what size injectors you will want but as a shot in the dark I think you'll be good with 30# injectors.

Another thing to consider is what pcm your gonna use. OBD2 is what your 96 has now, many switch to OBD1 for cheaper software but if there's emission testing where you live that may not be an option. I still use OBD2, there's no real performance advantage of one over the other it's just how much your willing to spend on tuning.

[joelster]

Where in Canada are you from?

To run a 12.0 you don't need a 383, you might be fine with your stock shortblock. There are so many ways to hit that ET from every company out there.

[spikester7878]

take a long hard look at what you want to do man i built a pretty stout 383 (AFR 210, custom cam 238/248 .565/.565 106LSA, LT4 intake and running 30# injectors) for mine and i full admit its a bit over kill for what i use the car for as its mostly a street machine and still hasnt been to the track with the new engine(about a year and a half old). as joelster said ive seen a well cammed/head bolt on lt1 run 12s. and as far as EFI to Carb thats all up to you i thought about doing that myself for a bit but stuck with EFI as once you have the tune right you dont really have to worry about it. plus data logging is nice.

[jseal-57]

ok thanks. ya im keeping the EFI. im from alberta, so i dont really know any big lt1 tuners but i know a couple performance shops.

[spikester7878]

could always do a mail order tune.

[jseal-57]

thats what i was thinking. im just going to try to get it dyno tuned first.

[spikester7878]

I would if you can up there. i got a mail order tune and im not to happy with it so im going to end up paying for a dyno tune once i fix the year of neglect haha