383 build,HP HELP!

Hey, guys. I've been reading this forum for some time, just decided to join now.

here's my situation: I have a sbc 350, just blew a head gasket. I was probably making 330 hp, but it was not good enough for me. SO, I want to rebuild , but into a 383 instead. I'm PRAYING for 500 hp, hoping for 450, will settle for 425 hp. 500 is the GOAL.

Of course, money outlay is an issue. I may do it this fall, or wait til next winter...it all depends.

I am curious what a set up like this would create - please make any and all suggestions that could bring me closer to my goal- i think a big factor is my heads, i dont want to spend 1200 on new heads quite yet, but it is in the near future:

383,SBC - cast pistions(flat or domed suggestions),cast crank(havent bought rotating assembly, suggestions welcome, want to avoid forged b/c of cost if i can)
approx 10.4:1compression,
2.02/1.60 "camel hump" from a 67 vette, ported and polished (64cc chambers?) HAVE THIS
dart single plane intake HAVE THIS
cam: 248/248 .525/.525 OR 260/260 555/555(suggestions)
holley 4150 650 cfm carb HAVE THIS
Built th 350 trans, 3000 rpm stall tc HAVE THIS

I'd appreciate anyones input on this . I'm looking for a lot of torque, HP, and would love to run in the 12's. 81 camaro, 3600 lbs



THANKS

My only input would be to NOT cut corners if your trying to build H.P. If it takes a little longer to build it right ........... wait until you can afford it. If you save a few bux on the parts only to have it blow up, you will be deeper in debt then if you just do it right the first time. If you plan to build a 500 H.P. engine make sure ALL the parts you buy will handle in excess of 500 h.p. Just my opinion.

THANKS. I kinda learned that the hard way in the past. I dont plan on cutting corners, but was under the impression that cast crank/hypereutecnic pistons would be sufficient for a near 500 hp beast. Other than that, what are you referring to? thanks !

Look at the Autocenter web site....they give a curve for their
engines, even the stock GM Crate motors.

http://www.goautocenter.com/383_small_blk.htm

This page is for two 383 motors, one the stock GM job with iron heads and the other with the fast burn heads and a cam.
Other suppliers (except for the "fake crate" guys) will also give
some curve info......most probably present their best face so take it with some doubt. The point is that you can survey the reputable suppliers to see what they supply for components to get the HP that you want. Aint gonna do it with old style stuff without a lot of work. Look at Richard's dyno combos.....good idea of what is what. Five hundred is tough with a street driven small block.

mike in tucson

first of all if 500hp is in your future then good flowing heads are too! Those are the essential key to making good power....Forget all about those camel backs you'll only be shooting yourself in the foot with those...AFR and Dart make good heads in the 190-200 runner styles which is where you want to be...Then and only then should you pick a cam! Your engine should be built around the basis of the head you choose....From experience 500hp from a 383 don't need 10:1 compression.....with the right combo it can be done with 9.5:1 which be easier on your wallet....

Horsepower cost money so be prepared to shell a little....If you want to be conservative build a 350hp and put a 150hp of juice to it...you'll have the best of both world this way....mellow and mean....good luck

THANKS FOR THE ANSWERS GUYS. LIKE I MENTIONED, I DO PLAN ON GETTING SOME AFRS IN THE FUTURE, JUST PROBABLY NOT THIS YEAR. IW ANT TO GET HER UP AND RUNNGING THIS FALL, AND MAYBE DO THE HEADS NEXT WINTER. BUT I AM TRYING TO SEE WHAT KIND OF HP TO EXPECT FROM THIS SETUP.

ALSO, DR_BOWTIE, YOU SAY 500 HP IS DOABLE AROUND 9.5:! FROM A 583. WHAT KIND OF COMBO DID YOU USE,SEE TO ACHIEVE THIS. THANKS

THEFED. If your looking for 500HP, it's called $$$$. If you want the 425HP range, it's easier.

I had a 383 in my Vette and it was super. A lot of torque. I had a speed shop in S. Amherst, Ohio build the motor and price wise it was very reasonable. If you want his name, e-mail me. He's built ALL my motors since the 60's.............:D

Again, thanks all of youfor your input. I do realize that 500 hp=money. my goal is to have 500hp=least $$ possible. Any specific suggestions would be great.

I've been looking at the AFR 195 heads, they seem to flow well, and I only hear good things about them. they're about 1300 shipped.

Anyone want to guess what kind of 1/4 mile an 81 camaro weighing 3600 with driver would turn pushing say, 475 hp with a good chassis hookin up well?

Anyone built a 500 hp 383 successfully? want to lend any tips? or even YOUR recipe? Thanks

FED. You got mail.................:D

Tips and tricks cost money.....I'd put my money on those 195 AFR's and the "Right" cam

Heres your one free tip.....light weight recip

If you plan on putting that much power in that car I hope you have it tied tight.....frame and suspension...or it won't last....

You need to focus on 2 critical parts of the engine in order to make 500hp from a small block. Head flow and rpm. You're going to need be able to spin that engine at 6500+ rpm and you're going to need heads that can keep up. It might be cheaper to put it on a little boost.

NEVER THOUGHT ABOUT BOOST, BUT AGAIN, I DIDNT THINK TI WOULD BE CHEAPER EITHER. I DONT SEE CHARGERS FOR UNDER 2000, AND FOR THAT PRICE I COULD HAVE SOME AFRS, NICE CAM, AND PART OF A ROTATING ASSEMBLY TAKEN CARE OF...

Those high rpms rotating assemblies get kind of pricey, and if it's a street driven engine, it will probably be easier to drive and last longer. I know of a lot of people who make 500+ hp with boost from a small block in their "daily" drivers and very few who make 500+ without boost in their daily drivers.

wow , i've looked into it and can pick up a weiand 6-71 from summit for 2000. not too bad. just dont know much abt. superchargers. i see weiand 142 and 6-71 as my options. any suggestion as to which would be better( im guessing 6-7 1makes more hp), but how much diff? if my motor;s making 330 hp NOw at 10:1 compression, what would a 142 and 6-71 make, obviously lowering the compression first? 6-71 needs 2 carbs, from what i gather.

the 142 can be hidden under my 4" cowl, can the 6-71?

the 142 is a smaller huffer and will get you there and you may be able to conseal it all under a hood....giving it that sleeper look...Or with a 671 you'll be out of the hood and no way to hide it....but that itself is part of the itimidation proccess!

The 142 will fit under a 4" cowl where as the 671 will NOT

Also the 142 operates with one 4 barrel carb while the other with two....also 500hp with the 142 will be the extent of it's size while the 671 can go way higher with the right parts..

I don't know too much about boost, but if you drop your compression ratio down to something between 8:1 and 8.5:1 and run 10-14 psi of boost, that should run on pump gas and make 500 hp. Turbochargers are an excellent way to go if you can find the right one for the right price. It may be easier getting a cheap turbo than exhaust manifolds for the engine. It is my beliefe that manifolds are better for turbocharged engines because they are stronger and can support the weight of the turbo better, and they hold in more heat which is what the turbo is using to turn its turbine. Oh yeah, big chamber heads, 76 cc, work well with boost.

SOUNDS INTERESTING. IM DEFINATELY CONSIDERING THE 142 WEIAND CHARGER ON MY 355, WITH LOW COMPRESSION, BECAUSE ALL i WANT TO ACHIEVE IS 500.

IS IT NECCESSARY TO HAVE FORGED PISTONS/CRANK WHEN RUNNING A HUFFER TO 500 HP? I'T'S ALWAYS BETTER, BUT IS IT NECCESSARY?

I HEAR YOU NEED SOME SORT OF SPECIAL TIMING/IGNITION SYSTEM WHICH AUTOMATICALLY RETARDS TIMING WITH BOOST. ANYONE ABLE TO POINT ME IN THE DIRECTION OF ONE OF THESE SO I CAN LOOK INTO IT?

I LIKE THIS IDEA, AND IT SEEMS MORE COST EFFECTIVE THAN A 383 NA 500 HP. WHAT, OTHER THAN THE CHARGER, LOW COMP PISTONS, TIMING SYSTEM WOULD ONE NEED TO ENSURE A RELIABLE HUFFED MOTOR?

Do a search under superchargers or turbochargers. You should find fairly detailed threads dealing with the set-up of supercharged / turbocharged engines. Best advise can be gotten from a supercharger or turbocharger dealer. Tell them exactly what you are looking for out of your engine and take their advice.

I would use forged. Why push your luck. Better to spend a little extra on a solid bottom end. IMO.:)

THEFED....yes forged pistons and a FORGED crankshaft! 500hp and you may snap a cast forging....I hate it when that happens....