How do I rebuild my Chevy 350 LT1 to a 383 LT1?

Question

How do I rebuild myy 350 LT1 to a 383 LT1? Are there special kits to this project? It's a 1996 350 LT1 with about 95,000 miles on it. I want to put the 383 LT1 in my stock 1996 Z28 Camaro. I will be useing this car in the hot temps. of Tucson,AZ. Do I have to wory about it over heating? I want the car to be street-strip. I will be driveing the car back and forth to work and I would like to take the car to the srtips about once a mouth. What is the est. gas mi. and HP of a 383 LT1? Do you think an 1996 Z28 Camaro with a 383 LT1 would beat the new ford, cobras?

The 1996 Z28 Camaro that I'll be putting the 383 LT1 in has a T56 transmission, with the stock posi rear end, and the stock alloy Camaro rims.

Answer 1

A Chevrolet "383' - 3.800 crankshaft. rods and bolts will not clear your 350 block beneath the center of the cylinder sleeves without some careful machine work. As the other person said a new 383 block from Chevrolet may be a better deal since a light hone job would condition in the bores instead of having to bore and hone the old block. Chevrolet part number 12499106 is a 383 partial motor and may be more apealing in the long run money and horsepower wise. The right engine machine shop could get an excess of 600 hp. out of a 383 with carefully matched parts. What were you saying about Cobra's?

Answer 2

You can buy the kit from any of the major performance parts websites like Jegs and Summitracing.com. Basically turning a 350 into a 383 is done by taking the 350 crank out and replacing it with a crank made for a small block 400, the extra displacement comes from the longer stroke of the 400 crankshaft. You will also need connecting rods, which come with the kits and usually new pistons and rings do as well. Some 350 and 350LT blocks need additional machining in order for the counterweights on the crankshaft to clear the block, which is where a 350/383 conversion starts to really get pricey. If you are looking to make some serious HP, I would just re-build the 350 with a forged bottom end and add on a supercharger or turbo, get a nice set of heads and install headers instead of doing the 383 conversion.

Answer 3

Since you've got so many miles on your 350, I think the best way to do this is to buy a crate 383, since you're going to have to pull the engine anyway. I can
t remember (I guess I'm getting old - Ha! ha!) if the 383 is a 350 with an overbore or simply a crankshaft change (I think it's a crankcase swap as you can't bore a 350 past .060, which results in 355 cid). Since the engine's got to come out, you'll be better off in the long run to simply purchase the 383 and swap it in.

Overheating probably won't be a problem, but if it is (since Tucson is rather hot), you can go with a new radiator. You're mileage will not significantly be any worse than the stock 350, unless you can't keep your foot from the floor!

The question about the new Ford Cobras is a moot point since you don't say what transmission, rear axle or any other mods have been made to your Camaro. Good luck!

Answer 4

Yes, there are kits for this - check with places like Summit, PAW, or Jeg's. The kits typically include a crankshaft, rods, and pistons, and may include a full gasket set and other things you'd replace during a rebuild. It won't have 500 hp like the new Cobras without some other major mods, but it should be pretty reliable if done with good quality parts, and overheating shouldn't be an issue.

Answer 5

Yes there are kits, check out Jegs and Summit, they might have one.

Beat a new Cobra? Nope. It has more modern tech on it and it lighter. Plus it has a brand new engine, which are always better.

Answer 6

shop around and do your homework this is a very popular engine you can get very good power at a low cost if you watch for bargains