caribbean 85

Well I finally completed & installed a 383ci - my first radical build -

did all assembly myself (so I am very proud ) from clearancing block/bearing clearance check/cutting rings/degreeing cam/valve lash & short block and general assembly up to carb ( my mechanic did the distributor)

030 GM 350 - 2pc seal - zero decked -
Ohio 3.75 crank/6 inch rods/ SRP 7cc domes/ 1.125 c/h/ 12.5:1
AFR 210cc Eliminator CNC chamber option/ 65cc/upgrade 8003 springs (250# seat/ 610# open)
comp. solid roller 268*/275* - 108* - .720"/.700" @ 1.6
Motown intake - (fully ported/gasket match - Mike Theroux)
Hooker 1 3/4 inch super comp for 82-92 camaro
for carb - I have to run my current Pro Systems rebuilt 750 Holley DP (74/84 jets supplied as flowed per flow chart) until I can afford something else


I did a baseline compression check on #1 cylinder after start up and got 180#

given all the tight P/V clearance issues (.070" exh / .056 int) - I expected more cranking compression but I guess the cam etc may be coming into play

very quick throttle response - typical roughness around 3000rpm - and then she rocks and doesn't appear to want to stop

I now have a better appreciation for what the professional builder does on a daily basis - basically everything was out of whack and needed massaging - two or three trial fittings - and you have to be prepared to pull something apart if you want to make it work

**** got basic video of first pass on the 383ci motor - at last - track was not prepped she got loose and and switched lanes mid pass

the 383ci has bales more torque on motor for sure than my trusty 355ci -
check out my youtube video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EyhT_ppi_A

AlkyIROC

Holy &$*@ that's a big cam for a SBC. My BBC is only .740". Your 1-3/4" headers may be a little small for the amount of power you should be making. What's the converter stall speed?

I've seen roadways wider than that track.

greezemonkey

iTrader: (14)

HOLY GEEZEUS!!! Thats one potent SBC...Sounds Great!!

camaro597

dude that sounds awesome. i just got off the phone with a guy about getting a 1983 camaro. its all torn apart but comes with a 350 4 bolt. im dying to do a 383 so its awesome to see one like yours.

caribbean 85

thanks guys - the engine does sound mean - a real surprise it has proved to be considering I saw it built from scratch

I can honestly say - I feel almost cheated to have waited so long to put a stroker motor together

Stephen - I am afraid that's all we have here for a track - family ownership/succession issues have caused it
to deteriorate somewhat over the years

joeblue83

iTrader: (8)

where is that track. It could of been very dangerous if someone was in the lane next to you

greezemonkey

iTrader: (14)

Hahaaa LOL Your U tube video title says "yellow breast" Very cool though, a helper of mine at work is starting a 383 build, very radical like yours, I`m copying that vid and bringing it in this morning for him to see

caribbean 85

yeah LOL I am beginning to have some thoughts about this title now

just for clarity though - its actually written correctly - the "yellowbreast"
is a common bird here on my island and its recognized (wait for it )
by its bright "yellow breast" similar to colour of my camaro

actually I have since found out it is the official bird of the US virgin islands also - go figure

Anyways - tell your guy that a stroker is worth it in the end - he will be surprised

bart91406

I thought our local track seemed backwoods, not now though! Cool car though, there is a lot more pride in your motor when you do it yourself!

AlkyIROC

I wasn't even paying attention to the location. Antigua W.I.

Where exactly is the track on the island? I guess having that track is better than having nothing.

This is the last year of our local track. The city is forcing it to close because it's on leased land and they have other plans for the land. Next year if I want to race, I need to haul my car for at least 2-1/2 hours to the next closest track.

Aha! Found the track on the south side of All Saints Road with Google earth. There's a cloud over the starting line making it hard to find. The return road looks like a dirt road and it's got a really short shutdown area. If you can do at least 100mph in the 1/4, slowing down in time would be scary.

speed88

Did the guy walking next to you wave you down the track? Cause it doesnt look like the tree was working??

caribbean 85

this Google earth is amazing - just as if you were her - you have described all the faults/issues we have with our track - unpaved return road and a short runoff -

thats why anything from 10.5 seconds down usually puts you up in the 1/8 mile - most of the heavy racing here is done on 1/8 mile format

small world we live in since the internet -

Speed 88 - it was just an open track day - no lights and very little prep - thats why he was waving me on when he thought I was near the start line

bart91406

When you say no lights, you just mean the tree? They did have the timers on right? Why in the world would they turn off the tree, save electricity?

KWIK84

iTrader: (5)

WOW the return road at the local track is wider than that whole surface from the looks of it! Takes some big ones to power down that track...my hats' of to ya man!

bart91406

I tell you what though, I would take that track over none at all, our local track is 2 hours away, now that MAR in wentzville closed down. It sure seems like a lot more tracks are closing down than that are opening up.

AlkyIROC

Our track is only being shut down because of lease issues. During the summer, it's a full blown business. We also have an oval and road course track. Every day and evening of the week, the tracks are in use from rentals, testing, driving schools etc. There's a lot of businesses that are going to be hurting when the track is forced to close. We always think of track use only during weekend events however the track couldn't survive with just those events. Renting it out all week is a good money maker.

The local drag racing club is trying to get some time for the last couple of weeks to go and do some repairs to the track before the weekend. Tonight is the only time available that the track isn't in use this week. The dragstrip is the front straight of the road course so when the track is rented, we can't get access to it.

Building a new track to meet NHRA, IHRA, AHRA requirements? Minimum $10 million not including the cost of the land. That doesn't include the road course and oval. You would need about 100-160 acres to build a new facility. With land prices around the city, I can't see a new facility being built unless it was on private land or at least an hours drive away from the city where land prices are a bit cheaper.