Big454blockchevy

I am thinking of going with a 383 instead of a BBC. the main reason being the weight. Anybody have any replies regarding this?

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Big 454 '86 Camaro Z28 '72 Nova w/454 BBC

AlkyIROC

The BBC is only about 170-200 pounds more. If you use a bunch of lightweight parts such as aluminum water pump, mini starter, mini alternator etc, the weight can be reasonably close. The disadvantage is that the BBC is longer and the length and weight is moved forward since the tranny doesn't change position between the 2 engines.

I already know what my car weighed with the 383. Once I'm ready with the slicks mounted, I'll weigh the car again to see if there is any change with the big block. I expect about 100 pound increase on the nose but if I relocate the battery to the rear it will be even less.

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Follow my racing progress on Stephen's racing page
and check out the race car

87 IROC-Z Pro ET Bracket Race Car
383 stroker (carbed) with double hump cast iron heads and pump gas
461 Big Block installed and ready for the 2001 racing season

Best results before the 383 blew up
Best ET on a time slip: 11.857 altitude corrected to 11.163
Best MPH on a time slip: 117.87 altitude corrected to 126.10
Altitude corrected rear wheel HP based on power to weight ratio: 476.5
Best 60 foot: 1.662

Racing at 3500 feet elevation but most race days it's over 5000 feet density altitude!
Member of the Calgary Drag Racing Association

87 IROC bracket car, 91 454SS daily driver, 95 Homebuilt Harley

Big454blockchevy

How much did it weigh with a 383? Down in my area I can get either a 383 and a 454 for about the same price. I have noticed the prices on the internet and the prices down here are different. That's good I guess. Also I am thinking of adding TPI for my 383. Good or Bad ? I was even thinking of adding an aftermarket FI . It 's kind of pricey at just over $1900.00.

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Big 454 '86 Camaro Z28 '72 Nova w/454 BBC

Get Blown ?

Well remember there is other ways to make up that extra weight. I.E. there's a 40 or so pound drop on a SBC with aluminum heads over iron heads alone, so there has to be similar if not more of a drop on a BBC. Aluminum water pump as said above (10-15lbs?), fiberglass hood is a good 30-40lbs off the front too.

Shaving an extra 100lbs can mean an extra .1th in your quarter, but the torque of a big block can easily surpass that extra .1th.

Check out this page, two similar built blocks one big block the other a small block. http://www.hotrod.com/editorial/article.jsp?id=6230

In the end it all comes down to what you want to do.

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1989 Camaro RS LO3 WCT5 0-60' 2.34 1/4 15.8@87mph
http://350.StreetRacing.org
The posi unit breaker.

AlkyIROC

Last fall with the 383, the car weighed around 3045 pounds, race ready with me in it since that how much it's going to weigh going down the track. My eventual target total weight is 2800 but that extra couple of hundred pounds won't be cheap to get. If the big block comes in somewhere in the low 3100's I'll be happy for now.

What I need to do is shift weight. The 383 was 1800 on the front axle and 1200 on the rear +/- a few. Trying to shift 400 pounds to the back is hard. It's easier to find ways to lose the 400 off the front. Aluminum heads and rad, fiberglass fenders, lexan or margurad windshield but those are all expensive ways to remove weight. The tubular front crossmember was looking like a good option when I was putting in the BBC. I still might pick it up before the race season is over. http://www.paracing.net/