Well, it was fun while it lasted...

[StaticCling]

Looks like the old stocker L-82 350 on my '73 Corvette is on its last leg. :sadangel:


Long and short, blew white smoke this morning BAD. Pretty sure it's the passenger side head.

Welp, guess I'll be buying that 383 sooner rather than later. :dance::D

Oddly, I'm actually kind of happy. :Jeff '79:


It'll be a few months, but I'm almost there financially to swing it. :yesnod:

[Marc]

Sorry to hear this :hurray::hurray::cert::cert:

[StaticCling]

Sorry to hear this :hurray::hurray::cert::cert:

:D

I'm looking at a couple of different 383 Strokers, I have the cash for the engine, but I need to save a few extra dollars for 'extras' and stuff. I want to go with a March Pulley system, and of course a new Radiator. Installing a new engine with an old radiator is like putting on dirty underwear after you shower...Oh, new clutch/flywheel also. Lots of little extra shit that costs dollars ...

This one looks interesting, but I'm not totally sure I want to go with electric fans/electric fuel pump. Thinking about it tho.

http://www.skipwhiteperformance.com/detail.aspx?Item=383STG2TK

[JRD77VET]

Sorry to hear this :hurray::hurray::cert::cert:

:iagree:

"shame" you are forced to upgrade :yesnod:

[vetteman9368]

Looks like the old stocker L-82 350 on my '73 Corvette is on its last leg. :sadangel:


Long and short, blew white smoke this morning BAD. Pretty sure it's the passenger side head.

Welp, guess I'll be buying that 383 sooner rather than later. :dance::D

Oddly, I'm actually kind of happy. :Jeff '79:


It'll be a few months, but I'm almost there financially to swing it. :yesnod:

I could probably help you out with that 383

[Mirroredshades]

Vacuum modulator.

[StaticCling]

I could probably help you out with that 383

PM Sent.

[Jeff '79]

Congrats!!! That 383 looks awesome and the specs are pretty impressive.
How much is Option #1 ?
I would have gone with a 350ci but after reading all that, I like the 383ci just as well.
Is there a difference in cost between the 350ci and the 383ci build?
I have to start thinking of a new power plant for my '79. It's getting near that time to start toying with it. :cert:

http://i999.photobucket.com/albums/af113/jeff79/383_zps80a8300b.jpg

NICE!

[StaticCling]

Congrats!!! That 383 looks awesome and the specs are pretty impressive.
How much is Option #1 ?
I would have gone with a 350ci but after reading all that, I like the 383ci just as well.
Is there a difference in cost between the 350ci and the 383ci build?
I have to start thinking of a new power plant for my '79. It's getting near that time to start toying with it. :cert:

http://i999.photobucket.com/albums/af113/jeff79/383_zps80a8300b.jpg

NICE!

I haven't bought it yet, it's just one that I am considering. The only thing is, I'm not sure I want to go Electric Fan and Electric Fuel pump, that particular engines requires it.

Honestly, I am Leaning toward one of Smeding's 383 builds, and they are quite a bit less pricey. Ben Smeding has a really good reputation to boot.

Crate Engines - Turn key & High Performance | Crate Motors (http://www.smedingperformance.com/)


As far as 383 vs 350, I want the extra Torque a 383 provides.

[Mike Mercury]

in 2005, Yvonne bought a 1973 coupe with 60k original miles; L82. We drove a few 1973's... 350, L82, 454 leading up to that cars purchase.

The L82 was a strong motor, and lightweight. I preferred it over the 454.

http://www.tim-yvonne.com/mikemercury/heritage/VONS-73C.JPG

http://www.tim-yvonne.com/mikemercury/heritage/his-hers.jpg

[mrvette]

My '72 Muncie 336 rear car came with a L48, stock as a stove....the car drove OK, but not a lot of performance, that and the freeking CARB, so far inferior to DPFI I had on the '87 vette, one of the first changeouts was to ditch the carb and put on L98 injection.....as much on demand torque as any carb'd 383, for street driving, anyway, my engine builder and I discussed it, and that was his recommendation....course the year was '95 and so 400 cranks were getting rare then....

I have a '89 4 bolt main roller truck block with L98 aluminum heads and NOW it's a highly modified LT1 induction.....instant throttle, decent fuel economy, and don't have to be fighting a carb all the time.....

:seasix::hurray:

TODAY, I would go LS engine in a heartbeat and don't look back....:seasix:

[NeedSpeed]

Your numbers won't match, blasphemy.

[SnikPlosskin]

:iagree:

"shame" you are forced to upgrade :yesnod:

Yea, I'm super bummed for you. :dance:

[snide]

If the L82 in my '76 ever pukes, I'll probably go the LS route.

[Fastguy]

Looks like the old stocker L-82 350 on my '73 Corvette is on its last leg. :sadangel:


Long and short, blew white smoke this morning BAD. Pretty sure it's the passenger side head.

Welp, guess I'll be buying that 383 sooner rather than later. :dance::D

Oddly, I'm actually kind of happy. :Jeff '79:


It'll be a few months, but I'm almost there financially to swing it. :yesnod:

Why not just put a head gasket in it?

[vetteman9368]

Why not just put a head gasket in it?

because that's all the work with none of the fun.

repairs= pain in the ass
upgrades=fun project

[DJ_Critterus]

heh heh...I know where there's a strong 396 roller motor that's internally balanced with dual quad tunnel ram set up that might be for sale in a little while after I finish the two big blocks I have sitting in the garage now :D

[StaticCling]

After a few hours of phone conversations, Mark Jones (Vortecpro) will be building a Small Block for me. If you haven't heard of this guy, he has a solid reputation on the Chevelle and Camaro forums. The guy absolutely knows his shit, and I am pleased with the amount of time and effort he has spent addressing my wants and needs. The deposit has been sent. :)


Motor should be ready in a few months. In the meantime, I'll be saving my ass off for the additional's I will need for the swap. I'm going at this myself, and I have never done an engine swap. Fortunately, all of my friends are motorheads so I should be good to go. Plus with the support network here and at the other place, I should be good to go.

I'll also be having my Muncie freshened up (rebuilt) in the process of this, and while I need to address some suspension issues, that can wait until funds allow. Just need to get this Bitch rolling and reliable for now.

Pics to come over the spring and summer. Excited! (And a Bit Scared)

[Fastguy]

I'm going at this myself, and I have never done an engine swap. Fortunately, all of my friends are motorheads so I should be good to go. Plus with the support network here and at the other place, I should be good to go.


A smallblock in a C3 is actually pretty easy. The hardest part is getting the hood lined back up.

[StaticCling]

A smallblock in a C3 is actually pretty easy. The hardest part is getting the hood lined back up.

I have heard to scribe/scratch around the hinges before removing the hood to simplify this issue. Any tips?

[Fastguy]

I have heard to scribe/scratch around the hinges before removing the hood to simplify this issue. Any tips?

On your first motor swap, spend $10 and get a roll of masking tape, a sharpie and some ziplock bags with the white area on them for writing. Mark everything you disconnect with tape, bag bolts and label them. Pay extra special attention to the starter wiring harness. There are some wires that go to the positive lug and some that go to the block as a ground. If you mix them up, you immediately fry the wiring harness. I usually pull C3 motors from the side. It's easier to pull the motor and tranny as one on a 4-speed car because the trans crossmember is welded in. On an automatic car, its removeable. Also, if you can, install the oil filter after. I poked a hole in it removing it from the white car.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b71/saltysearay/cars/IMG_5821.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b71/saltysearay/cars/IMG_5811.jpg

[JRD77VET]

What Fastguy said plus take LOTS of pictures of how everything is run. Wiring placement, the way hoses are run and pay special attention to vacuum hoses. :yesnod:

I would get a can of KROIL and start soaking exhaust bolts and other "heat soaked" bolts a week in advance.

[simpleman68]

What Fastguy said plus take LOTS of pictures of how everything is run.

Yeah man :yesnod: Saved my life on many occasions. I used to make templates for head bolts out of cardboard and number them so each one could go back to its correct spot.

Only thing it didn't help me with was when I mis-wired the distributor of a '73 Olds incorrectly.
Took me hours, and a local mechanic, to tell me Olds and Caddy spin counter-clockwise. :lol:
Scott

[Fastguy]

I use my cell a LOT now. I snapped pics of my wiring harness routing on my C5 because I knew it would be a while before it got back together. I have made cardboard templates for intakes to remind me which bolts had stud heads. Keep a note pad handy as well.

[onedef92]

On your first motor swap, spend $10 and get a roll of masking tape, a sharpie and some ziplock bags with the white area on them for writing. Mark everything you disconnect with tape, bag bolts and label them. Pay extra special attention to the starter wiring harness. There are some wires that go to the positive lug and some that go to the block as a ground. If you mix them up, you immediately fry the wiring harness. I usually pull C3 motors from the side. It's easier to pull the motor and tranny as one on a 4-speed car because the trans crossmember is welded in. On an automatic car, its removeable. Also, if you can, install the oil filter after. I poked a hole in it removing it from the white car.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b71/saltysearay/cars/IMG_5821.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b71/saltysearay/cars/IMG_5811.jpg

That joker's got a BIG oil filter cannister on it, don't it? :yesnod:

[Fastguy]

That joker's got a BIG oil filter cannister on it, don't it? :yesnod:

Yeah, you can see where I poked a hole in it and threw a plastic bag on it to keep it from leaking everywhere.

[American Made]

Gonna be one awesome car! :cert: Can't wait for the pics.

[StaticCling]

Gonna be one awesome car! :cert: Can't wait for the pics.

And you have actually seen it! I might need a helping hand with this shit, and I'll definitely provide the liquor and food. :)

I'm building up a network of fellas to assist, including my one of my best buds, a beaner Mexican that's into old VW's, an old school gearhead and his son up the street that is always working on some bullshit, my buddy Mark that is a full time King Air pilot that used to be a professional wrench at Pioneer Oldsmobile in North Hollywood, Larry that has worked on just about everything from Nissans to Triumphs, and a handful of other scallywags including Ron (cuisineartvette) from the other place (who probably knows cars better than anybody else over there)


I officially mailed the deposit for the engine today. I'll post a build sheet and other details as the become available. Just know that it will be a roller cam 350 with legit internals and Vortec Heads by a respected builder good for at least 440 HP. :)

[Jeff '79]

http://i999.photobucket.com/albums/af113/jeff79/BurnsExcellentSticker_zps6838254b.jpg

[StaticCling]

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d186/Air1070/DSC_0001_zps1a24197b.jpg

Here is my Vette. :seasix:

Car is Torch Red, but it the camera did something funky to the color.

[simpleman68]

Pretty girl! :cert: And she rolled craps :dance:
Scott

[StaticCling]

Update...

Engine builder received my deposit...

Mark Jones of Vortecpro will be building me one of his small blocks.


http://www.vortecproperformance.com/

One man shop vs assembly line. Easy decision.


Currently researching parts and additional components for the swap....This is costing me some coin for sure.

[simpleman68]

Update...

Engine builder received my deposit...

Mark Jones of Vortecpro will be building me one of his small blocks.


VORTECPRO (http://www.vortecproperformance.com/)

:metal::metal:

One of the best feelings in the world is that first drive after a major modification.
Looking forward to pics and first impressions. :cert:
Scott

[StaticCling]

:metal::metal:

One of the best feelings in the world is that first drive after a major modification.
Looking forward to pics and first impressions. :cert:
Scott

Mark came highly recommended by a few folks over at the other place and several other forums. The guy has an excellent reputation on the Team Chevelle and Team Camaro Forums.

One thing that really sold me on him was his attention to detail. I spoke with him for well over an hour about my wants and needs on our first conversation. This was even before he agreed to build something for me. He has never hesitated to take the time to address any questions or concerns that I have. The support is absolutely top notch. I've called him almost daily with questions over the last two weeks and he has been there, without attitude, helping me out. It's gonna turn out good.

I just want a sold and reliable street worthy small block with more horsepower than I really need, and I'm gonna get it. :D

[simpleman68]

Mark came highly recommended by a few folks over at the other place and several other forums. The guy has an excellent reputation on the Team Chevelle and Team Camaro Forums.

One thing that really sold me on him was his attention to detail. I spoke with him for well over an hour about my wants and needs on our first conversation. This was even before he agreed to build something for me. He has never hesitated to take the time to address any questions or concerns that I have. The support is absolutely top notch. I've called him almost daily with questions over the last two weeks and he has been there, without attitude, helping me out. It's gonna turn out good.

I just want a sold and reliable street worthy small block with more horsepower than I really need, and I'm gonna get it. :D

Now THAT is really great to read. I've worked with a few builders over the years that talked a good game to get you in but lacked the follow through.


Mark sounds like one of those that passionate about what he does for others. :cool:
Scott

[Milton Fox]

Car is Lipstick Pink, some funky color.

We already knew... :dance: