camaro, yeah im sure i will want more but i think im gonna go with a 383 and start saving or call and ask about a payment plan...i just want a mild 383 i guess because i want to have a pretty mean engine but its also my daily driver so i'd keep it pretty mild. whats the big benefit of having roller rockers? and how much would it lower the rpm range compared to a 350?

 

Roller rockers do the same job as stamped rockers, but with mich less friction, therefore reducing the amount of wasted energy. Full roller rockers are pretty expensive, they're not a necessity but if you can afford to get them then they're nice to have.
I can't say this with 100% assurance that it's true, but I've heard and read that a 383 lowers the lower rpm number in your range by 800-1000rpm. In other words, if you have a cam that says it starts making good power at 2000, it should start at 1000rpm. Of course, as I said I can't say this 100%, I'm sure someone else will be able to give more input...

 

oh ok..how much are full roller rockers? so then since they dont waste as much energy do they produce more HP? oh well that would be sweet if your right! can anybody else confirm this?

 

Yep, roller rockers do free up more ponies. They cost anywhere from $300-$400+. Get steel ones, not aluminum. The stainless steel ones should last longer on the street if I'm not horribly mistaken.

 

oh well thats not to bad in price to get them compared to how much im going to have to spend for the engine lol..ok i will get steel ...what kind of cam and crank shaft do you reccomend me getting with the 383? and manifold and carb?

 

What power range are you shooting for? I would say go with the Eagle Street Performance roatating assembly, http://www.jegs.com/p/Eagle/763943/10002/-1 and if you want a low-end good driver cam go with a nice mild one from Comp Cams, or maybe Lunati. I would be inclined to go with this cam from Lunati but it's up to you to determine what's best: http://www.jegs.com/i/Lunati/638/60100LK/10002/-1# Check out the cams, figure what RPM range you want to work with and go from there. I would take the time to learn some cam terms just so you know what you would want to look for, I can find some links for you if you'd like.
I'll say for intake get an Edelbrock Performer, RPM range is idle-5500rpm. Good for a street driver car. Carburetor, I'll suggest a 600cfm Holley with vacuum secondaries.

 

well im aiming for between idle-3000 for the peak of torque..yeah i was thinking of that intake, what about the performer EPS or air gap manifold? what is EPS? ok so i shouldnt' get a bigger carb with the 383?

 

With a mild cam I think 600cfm should be plenty for it. I have an EPS on my truck motor now,a crate 350. Good intake, it's a bit higher than the regular performer manifold so you'll have to make sure you have room. It'll add about an inch to the height.
For a good low end driver cam with good torque at 3000rpm... http://www.jegs.com/i/Comp+Cams/249/CL12-206-2/10002/-1# I'd go with this cam from Comp Cams. You'll be making good power (provinding you have good heads) in that range, max torque according to CamQuest is at 3500rpm. Power is still good, roughly 390 horses according to the dyno simulation, between 425-450 ft lbs of torque averaging my two simulators.
Watch your compression too, you don't want to go too high for a driver. I'd say get the Eagle bottom end kit with 9.4 CR on 76cc heads, that should be good for you. Check out the World S/R torquer heads, if you look in the right place you can get them for $350 a piece assembled.

 

ok well i dont have much room so i'll just stay with the performer manifold ..ok and do you think i should get fast burn heads? ok and where can i find the eagle bottom end kit? how much of a HP gain would i get if i changed the rear end gears to like 4.11?

 

You can purchase the kit from Jegs, and there are some good businesses on Ebay that sell it as well. Fast-burn heads will add some good power to the motor, and should kick up your efficiency too. They work best with flat-top pistons, which corresponds with the Eagle rotating assembly. If you can get them in the right size, go for it.
The 4.11 gears will launch a lot better, but they will cost you in the high end especially with a mild cam. You can compensate a bit if you put in an over-drive transmission, either way. A 700r4 will give you a first gear ratio of 11.4 with a 3.73 rear end, a TH350 will give you 10.35 with 4.11 gearing. If you can make any room for a new transmission, a 700r4 would benefit you a lot. You can get better cruising and a better bottom end with it. If not, and you plan on re-using your TH350 (assuming that's what it is) You should still be making enough low end to launch pretty effectively with a 3.73 rear end. On the other hand, if you plan on using it for mainly city driving, and not every-day use 4.11 gearing is a lot of fun, though maybe a bit impractical for a daily driver with a 3-speed transmission on the highway.