383 LT1, what rods?

[Samckitt]

I would like to build one with 6" H beam rods. Anyone know which rods have the best clearance?

Thanks,
Scot

[Lowend]

They are I-Beam's but you will be hard pressed to find a higher quality and better clearance rod than the Crower Stroker Sportsman.

H-Beam is no stronger than I-Beam - that is a myth

[Samckitt]

Wow, those are about twice as much as I was looking to spend.

[Lowend]

Well - good old Scat 6" I-Beams with a small base circle cam will get you a long ways in this world. What kinda money you wanna spend and kinda power/RPM you planning to make

[rocketman]

Eagle rods or Oliver billet rods.

[Samckitt]

I thought my clearance problems is between the rods & the block, not the cam...? What kind of money do I want to spend? As little as possible :-) A couple grand? Would like to make around 450hp.

[Samckitt]

What do you think about buying engine parts off of Ebay? Found these:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-SBC-6-SCAT-4340-CONNECTING-RODS-7-16-CHEVY-GM-383_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33623QQihZ011QQitem Z320187752571QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW


Never mind, looks like they are less from Summit racing.

[Lowend]

Ebay engine parts make me nervous - they are often factory 2nds.
Go to reputable shop they are all gonna charge about the same, apples for apples

[rocketman]

A 6 inch rod in a 383 will hit the cam if it's not a small base cirlce cam, a 5.7 is better option if not wanting alot machine work. and if 450hp is all you want a 355 will make that or build a 406 cheaper

[Samckitt]

What could I get from a 383, hp wise? I want fuel injection & I like the LT1 looks over any after market throttle body looking setup. Would rather stay with the Gen I or II small block.

[rocketman]

I have seen 500hp 383 Lt1's, there kinda common. I have a 94 Z I have a 355 and it makes it at 500hp(lt1)

[Samckitt]

Naturally, turbo, blower? What specs on the cam, compression heads & so on?

[rocketman]

Afr 195 Lt4 heads, basicly out of the box, ports cleaned up and matched to Lt4 intake, 2.05/1.60, 11.5 comp, Solid roller 240/248@50 585/595 lift 112 cl,

Now this isn't a proven 500hp set-up I've never dyno'd it, I finished the motor and put it in the car, But from my exp building engines, it's should be real close give or take a few hp.

I have the bottle on it but haven't sprayed it yet.

[Samckitt]

Well - good old Scat 6" I-Beams with a small base circle cam will get you a long ways in this world. What kinda money you wanna spend and kinda power/RPM you planning to make

If I was to use 6" I beam rods, are you sure a small base circle cam is required. A guy I work with has a 406 with 6" rods & a normal base circle cam with no problems.

[MarkM66]

I ran the Scat 6" I bean 7/16" rod bolts rods on a non small base circle cam in a 383 and it worked just fine. I think they were about $300.

[Lowend]

You won't know for sure if you need a small base circle until you get the motor together and turn it over by hand. Considering that a ordering a cam on a small base circle costs ~$20 extra - its cheap insurance

[Samckitt]

So that would also require different pushrods, & obviously the cam is different, both of which I already have. So if/when the day comes I will just have to try it & see what happens. Thanks.

[rocketman]

You could also skip the 6 inch rods and use 5.85 rod. 9 out of 10 383 will need a small base cam, the small base circle cam keeps from grinding the head of the rod bolt.

[MarkM66]

Use a rod that uses cap screws.

[rocketman]

Thats what I normally use, I wasn't sure if he was or not, so I made that comment.

[AButler]

I second these. They appear to clear but i dont have my cam in yet to say that 100%. The cap screws on these help also. Just my.02

Aaron


I ran the Scat 6" I bean 7/16" rod bolts rods on a non small base circle cam in a 383 and it worked just fine. I think they were about $300.