Ryan77

I've been debating on buying one the AR racing 383's next summer, the 440/475 version that Tshort just bought. For about $3500, it sounds like a great deal. I was planning on rebuilding/stroking my'77 and have done some parts already, but what I still want to do will cost me much than a complete 383 from AR racing, and not make as much power. I was planning a completly forged bottom end ($2,000 for the one I was looking at), AFR 190's ($2,000 with roller rockers, etc.) then all the machine work and other small parts ($1,000++) So that's atleast $5,000 right there. Which way should I go?
I want to to be able to run atleast door to door with a new vette (maybe even a Z06 :D ). I've seen that Olivier is in the low 12's with the motor and a TKO 5 speed, which I'm also adding no matter what motor I use. What do the new vette's run in the 1/4 mile anyway? Olivier what do you think of this motor? Is it daily driveable? And what other parts does you need to buy to install? Does any of the parts from the original motor work (distributor, etc.)? Thanks in advance :cheers:


[Modified by Ryan77, 8:10 PM 1/2/2003]

72rdstr

http://www.royalpurple.com/retail/ar...03/page2.shtml

For the DIY type guy. Go to Sallee Chevrolet and look at the SCAT rotating assy. Not forged but a better than GM cast that will make 450 HP with the right heads (Vortec) and cam (mild roller). Better yet is it should make a minimum of 475 lb/ft of torque! and at a reasonable RPM.
Todd

tshort

I was also originally considering just rebuilding mine. But after seeing AR's prices and the components they use, I couldn't compete with that. Plus they are matching all the parts to work together more efficiently and effectively. I would have just thrown together the best here, best there, which doesn't always work together. You might also consider AR's new Edelbrock E Tec 383 engine. 470hp/465tq...wow!! Boy I bet Dep must hate AR :lol: :lol: ! Gee, what are those guys thinking, making more tq and hp from a smallblock. :lol:

SaltyNuts

That sounds interesting Ryan. What is the 'AR' link?

Thanks.

tshort

Here's a link to some of their eBay engines.
http://cgi6.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...ns%40erols.com

Crash Dummy

Travis...

First time I have seen AR selling a Dart Aluminum Head engine. Doesn't appear to be semi-streetable though based on what I saw. How are you doing with your project? I dismantled most of the original engine this last weekend. A real pain in the butt only because nothing wanted to come loose off this 18 year old engine that has never been taken apart. You'd think some of the bolts were metric with age.

Did your intake come in ported/polished with the engine? Are you planning on doing it if not? My intake comes in tomorrow and I go after that one.

tshort

Barry, I'm not sure if the intake will be ported. But it is the polished AFR version of the Edelbrock RPM. I'm basically ready for the engine. My old one is out and I've done some cleaning. I may paint some things like the brake booser and radiator housing to make them look a little better. I still need to flush the radiator and all the parts have come in except the Crane ignition. Actually it came in but was the wrong unit so off it went back to Summit. Mark said it won't ship until the 9th. I'm getting tired of waiting on this thing.

mpro71vette

Come on guys, hurry up and get your engines in!! :jester :jester I won't have mine in until spring and I REALLY need to hear how these engines are!! Its killing me! :lol: :lol: I checked out a lot of engines and AR was the best deal. I think currently there is four of us who bought their engines, me, grandsport, bgrice and tshort (is that right guys?). Grandsport highly recommanded these guys, his engines has great 1/4 mile times! :cheers:


[Modified by mpro72vette, 8:05 AM 1/3/2003]

GrandSportC3

My engine is completely streetable... Especially with a manual transmission - you can get a pretty radical engine that will be still a lot of fun on the street... The 383/440HP engine has a less radical cam than my 383... so - it should be great for street driving... As a distributor - I recommend the PROFORM 50000 Volt HEI.. I have used this HEI on my 69' and now on my 68'... and it's great.. I also used the MSD 6AL which I mainly use as a REV limiter...
All your old parts should work on the new engine ... however - if you have a high reving engine - I would recommend a higher voltage HEI...
I would also upgrade the carb... On my engine - I use a 750 Holley 80528 (race carb) with pretty big jetting.. and I'm still running to lean :eek: :eek:

:cheers:

Olivier

GrandSportC3

I was very sceptical when ordering my engine.. The price just seemed to be too good to be true... Most of the time - there's something wrong with such deals... However - I was impressed when I got the engine - because it was just as promised... I was even more impressed after it was installed.... This engine makes my Vette feel like a rocket :eek: :eek: ..
That's not even the best of all... I was most satisfied with their customer support... I called them propably 10 times after I already received the engine with technical questions.. and I always received the answers... I have purchased a crate engine from another vendor before... and tech support was practically non existing with the other vendor... If I would need another engine - I wouldn't think twice and purchase from AR Racing again...
There is a slight chance that I just got lucky... but - if you check their feedback rating on Ebay... it doesn't seem like coincidence...

:cheers:

Olivier

GrandSportC3

450 HP with Vortec heads??? Don't they have only 170cc runners??? That would be a little small for 450 HP... My 383 for example has big azz 215cc runners... and only makes 465 HP...

:cheers:

Olivier

GrandSportC3

Here are some more thoughts about those engines (and other high performance engines)..

If you go with a lot more horsepower - this will increase the need for better cooling... I personally upgraded my whole cooling system before installing the new engine - so I had no major problems... However - I don't know if the stock cooling system will be able to keep those engines cool... Here is a list of all the cooling system upgrades that I did to my car:

High Flow Waterpump (+30%) $95 (in chrome)
Griffin Aluminum Radiator with 1 1/4 inch tubes $280 (I don't think that this one was really necessary.. but I just wanted to be sure that the car wouldn't overheat)
160 degree high flow thermostat $8
PermaCool 2950 cfm fan $90

As mentioned above - I don't think that the Radiator is really necessary...

As stated before - a ignition system upgrade won't be a bad idea...because those engines rev higher than stock engines...
My setup: PROFORM 50000 Volt HEI ($159) + MSD 6AL ($200)
If upgrading the ignition - better get good plug wires.. I recommend MSD 8.5 mm wire or ACCEL 8.8mm RACE wire (that's what I use)

:cheers:

Olivier

CO_Sledgehammer

Hey Guys,

I'm a C2 guy, but you can add me to the list of AR Engine purchasers. I just put a down payment on a 406/450 HP engine from Mark. He's building me a semi-custom motor that will go in my '64. I'm working with Mark on a very streetable, torquey 406 for my daily driver. So far, I concur that Mark is first-class. He answers all of my questions quickly and accurately. We'll see how it runs pretty soon as mine should ship by the end of January.

Lars and the rest of the Colorado Corvette Crazies will be helping w/ the install as Lars has graciously offered his expertise and the use of his lift.

I've been following all of your build-ups along w/ GrandSportC3's results. I'll post more as I progress, and I look forward to hearing about all of your continued successes.

John

Ryan77

Thanks for the replies :cheers:

Olivier-- I was planning on using the stock HEI, with the Pertronix HEI tune up kit, it has a 50,000 volt coil, high performance module, cap and rotor, adjustable vacuum advance, and high performance advance kit, I also have a 1 year old set of MSD 8.5mm wires. I will be doing the cooling system too, as soon as I have the money, I'll be going with the complete Be Cool setup for vette's up to 700 hp. Until then though, I'll be using the 160* thermostat, an Edelbrock water pump, the clutch fan will be used along with the stock radiator that I'll be flushing this winter, just until I have the $1,000 for the Be Cool setup. How does this sound to you? And yes, it will be hooked up to a 4 speed.and I'll be adding a Centerforce Dual Friction clutch with TKO 5 speed eventually :reddevil :cheers:

Ryan77

Also, by my calculations my 670 street avenger carb will flow enough for 5800 rpm, which was perfect with my motor now, but it won't be enough for the 383 which isn't making peak horsepower until 5900 rpm. I've heard the Edelbrock carbs are easier to tune than the Holley, so I'm leaning toward the Edelbrock 750 manual choke. You're running a 750 mechanical secondary carb right Olivier? My whole gameplan has changed now, so I'm trying to figure what to use all over again :crazy: . Thanks for all your help Olivier :cheers:

Steve Straus

If it helps, my 468 is an AR engine (I've been to their shop, it's local to me). I'm happy with it so far. I'll let you guys know once I actually get some real miles on the thing.

QuickVet

the new vettes are running low 13s. The z06s can run mid to low 12s.

GrandSportC3

That sounds like a great choice...

Just see how hot or cool the Vette will be running... and then decide if more upgrades are needed.. My setup is more radical than yours.. so you should be ok!!

The TKO is a great transmission.. I love the first short gear... It just gives you a rocket launch...!!!!

:cheers:

Olivier

GrandSportC3

Great decision!! I really loved dealing with those guys... I really hope (and expect) that all of you will experience the same results as I did...

:cheers:

Oliver

GrandSportC3

Well - I tend to go with Holleys because my mechanic (who is a Corvette specialist) loves to work with Holleys.. He also says that the Holley gives you a better performance potential... Well - he really knows his stuff and so I do what he recommends.. (He often works on race cars too)
The Holley 80528 - which I use is one of the most expensive carbs out there.. but it's really worh it if you want to get the best potential out our your engine..
I personally never had a Edelbrock carb - so I can't comment on them...

:cheers:

Olivier