Finally get to build a motor.
#1
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Well over the years I have built some motors but for one reason or another I have not been able to just build one for fun. I am at a point in my life where I can afford to do it and I don't have to rely on the vehicle for daily transportation. I have found another IROC at a local used car dealer that has no motor or tranny. It was a TPI car but they took the harness and ECU out and I think it would be better off with a carb. The plan is to build a 383 for the street but I don't want it to be a pain to drive. Lumpy but not too lumpy, does that make any sence? The only thing I am having a problem deciding on is the cam. I want to keep the power brakes and don't want to have to get crazy with a high stall converter. Can that be done and still end up with a cam that make lots of power and has "that sound"?
Phil
Phil
#4
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Phil
#5
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There are alot of variables which will decide how cranky a cam is in a particular engine other than the cam specs themselves - compression ratio, cubic displacement and vacuum are a couple of them.
The duration and lobe separation are the specs you want to look at when deciding how streetable a cam will be.
A 230 degree cam with 110LSA will be quite cranky in a 305, but in a 383 it will be alot more sedate. A cranky cam in a 383 might be something like 250 degrees duration with 108 LSA, which would be basically undrivable in a 305.
For a 383 street cam in a car that isn't a daily, that will make good power and have that nice lumpy idle, while still be streetable, I would be looking around 230 degrees 110 LSA and around .500-.520" lift. Operating rev range will be from around 2000-5500 maybe 6000 if the heads and intake etc are up to the job.
Going for wider LSA will calm it down a bit, as will less duration, going more duration will make it lumpier and crankier.
Hopefully that gives you some idea of a good middle-ground for a 383 cam.
The duration and lobe separation are the specs you want to look at when deciding how streetable a cam will be.
A 230 degree cam with 110LSA will be quite cranky in a 305, but in a 383 it will be alot more sedate. A cranky cam in a 383 might be something like 250 degrees duration with 108 LSA, which would be basically undrivable in a 305.
For a 383 street cam in a car that isn't a daily, that will make good power and have that nice lumpy idle, while still be streetable, I would be looking around 230 degrees 110 LSA and around .500-.520" lift. Operating rev range will be from around 2000-5500 maybe 6000 if the heads and intake etc are up to the job.
Going for wider LSA will calm it down a bit, as will less duration, going more duration will make it lumpier and crankier.
Hopefully that gives you some idea of a good middle-ground for a 383 cam.
#6
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There are alot of variables which will decide how cranky a cam is in a particular engine other than the cam specs themselves - compression ratio, cubic displacement and vacuum are a couple of them.
The duration and lobe separation are the specs you want to look at when deciding how streetable a cam will be.
A 230 degree cam with 110LSA will be quite cranky in a 305, but in a 383 it will be alot more sedate. A cranky cam in a 383 might be something like 250 degrees duration with 108 LSA, which would be basically undrivable in a 305.
For a 383 street cam in a car that isn't a daily, that will make good power and have that nice lumpy idle, while still be streetable, I would be looking around 230 degrees 110 LSA and around .500-.520" lift. Operating rev range will be from around 2000-5500 maybe 6000 if the heads and intake etc are up to the job.
Going for wider LSA will calm it down a bit, as will less duration, going more duration will make it lumpier and crankier.
Hopefully that gives you some idea of a good middle-ground for a 383 cam.
The duration and lobe separation are the specs you want to look at when deciding how streetable a cam will be.
A 230 degree cam with 110LSA will be quite cranky in a 305, but in a 383 it will be alot more sedate. A cranky cam in a 383 might be something like 250 degrees duration with 108 LSA, which would be basically undrivable in a 305.
For a 383 street cam in a car that isn't a daily, that will make good power and have that nice lumpy idle, while still be streetable, I would be looking around 230 degrees 110 LSA and around .500-.520" lift. Operating rev range will be from around 2000-5500 maybe 6000 if the heads and intake etc are up to the job.
Going for wider LSA will calm it down a bit, as will less duration, going more duration will make it lumpier and crankier.
Hopefully that gives you some idea of a good middle-ground for a 383 cam.
Phil
#7
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Another thing to remember when looking at a cam spec sheet, is that the 383 is not really a standard size. Alot of cam manufacturers will quote cams based on a 350 engine.
The additional displacement of the 383 means more vacuum, and will dumb the cam down a bit.
So if a manufacturer lists a 222/224 .480" 112 LSA cam as having a lopey idle, good mid range and effective power band of 2000-5500, then you need to compensate for the extra cubes. So a cam like that will probably have a slight lope in the idle, good low to mid range and effective power band around 1700-5000rpm in a 383.
It works the other way too - if you were looking at a cam for a 305, you will probably need to compensate it up a notch - good mid to top end, effective range 2500-6000rpm etc.
The additional displacement of the 383 means more vacuum, and will dumb the cam down a bit.
So if a manufacturer lists a 222/224 .480" 112 LSA cam as having a lopey idle, good mid range and effective power band of 2000-5500, then you need to compensate for the extra cubes. So a cam like that will probably have a slight lope in the idle, good low to mid range and effective power band around 1700-5000rpm in a 383.
It works the other way too - if you were looking at a cam for a 305, you will probably need to compensate it up a notch - good mid to top end, effective range 2500-6000rpm etc.
Last edited by Quinny; 05-20-2009 at 10:25 PM.
#9
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I have built many engines and right there is your best answer!
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