Project C3 Corvette
Building a 383 stroker is very affordable for anyone who plans to do any crank work in a rebuild. Most Gen 1 large journal small block cracks cost the same for a 350 or a 383. There is very little machining needed for these kits and they are very easy to install. 383 stroker kits will increase your torque output significantly. In our case, we have a Chevrolet 350 L48 out of a 1971 Corvette that was factory rated at 270 hp. In 1971 that rating was a crank rating without any accessories, so in reality, it was a 220 horsepower motor. We decided to start over completely and build a nice 450 hp 500 ft-lb torque 383 stroker that would fit under the hood of our Corvette and also be very reliable.
Finding the Parts You Need
If you are looking to build a nice motor and still have it fit under a stock Corvette small block hood, there are a few items that you need. First, the most common error is the intake manifold because many know that they are giving up power with a low single plane. But there is only one, yes, only one, Edelbrock manifold that will work and it is the Torquer II. You will give up some upper-end horsepower in your build with it. Also, in order to fit a low filter cover, you cannot use a mechanical secondary carburetor and have to use a vacuum secondary unit. Yeah, that sucks, but when properly tuned, they still work and come in well. Water pumps are specific along with a long list of weird items.
If you are taking on a task like this, work with a good parts supplier, like Summit Racing because of their service. We can call and talk to a real person and get sound advice on our specific build. Many of the parts we purchased needed to be returned, sometimes 3 months later and Summit Racing took everything back and refunded our money. They even paid for shipping to return the items we incorrectly ordered.
Below are links to all the parts we purchased to build our Corvette L48 350 into a nice 383 stroker. This includes all new hardware and all we are using is the block.
FEL-1205 GASKETS INTAKE
SUM-G001 CAM BUTTON SPACER SBC
SUM-G1792 CAM LOCKING PLATE
TFS-21400003 ROLLER LIFTER
TFS-30410013-M72 Trick Flow Super 23 195 Cylinder Heads
TFS-31400510 ROLLER ROCKER 1/5 3/8 SBC
TFS-31400915 SBC EXC 400 GASKET SET-EARLY
TFS-31478500 SBC BILLET TIMING CHAIN SET
ARP-134-3601 SBC HEAD BOLT KIT 6PT
CCA-12-600-8 CAMSHAFT CS 283T HR-107 T THUMPER
CCA-412M DISTRIBUTOR GEAR
CLO-9-221 TIMING COVER (2PC)
EDL-5001 MANIFOLD TORKER II SBC NON-EGR
EDL-8812 WATER PUMP ALUMINUM
ESP-62305030 383 ROTATING ASSEMBLY
HLY-12-834 FUEL PUMP MECHANICAL
HLY-0-83770 HOLLEY STREET AVENGER CARB
MCH-512 POWER STEERING PULLEY
MCH-6030 SBC SWP PULLEY SET V-BELTS
MEL-IS-55E OIL PUMP DRIVE CHEVY SB
MEL-M55A OIL PUMP MELLING BOX
MIL-18600 OIL PUMP PICKUP STOCK SBC
MIL-30700 OIL PAN SBC STOCK PAN
MSD-5553 STREET FIRE WIRE
PIO-872021 HARMONIC BALANCER
PNX-40011 COIL FLAME-THROWER (1.5 OHM) B
PNX-91181 IGNITOR II DELCO 8 CYL
PRO-141-638 LINEAR WIRE LOOMS S/B V8
PRO-141-924 SLANT EDGE VALVE COVERS
PWM-27294 ONE WIRE ALTERNATOR
PWM-9000 HIGH TORQUE STARTER
SME-2015 CHEVY OIL FILTER ADAPTER
SUM-163625 SBC TIMING POINTER 6 1/4 DAMPER
SUM-400505 BILLET DIST HOLD DOWN
SUM-G5223 MAROON CAP/ROTOR KIT GM SOCKET
ARP-134-5401 KIT MAIN STUD CHEVY
ARP-134-8701 FUEL PUMP PUSH ROD KIT
ARP-230-7001 STUD OIL PUMP
ARP-234-2501 BALANCER BOLT KIT CHEVY
ARP-400-7603 COVER STUD KIT
ARP-430-7401 12PT THERMOSTAT HOSING BOLT KIT
ARP-434-1801 OIL PAN BOLT KIT
ARP-434-2102 INTAKE BOLTS
ARP-434-3203 WATER PUMP BOLT KIT
ENS-3-1114G MOTOR MOUNT GRAPHITE EACH
ARP-100-2801 FLYWHEEL BOLT KIT
DUR-CH-8 BEARING CAMSHAFT
PIO-PE108BR FREEZE PLUGS BRASS
AER-FBM1012 6AN STRAIGHT HOSE END
AER-FBM1032 #6 90. ELBOW HOSE END
AER-FBM2517 STEEL 1/4 MP/#6 37. FLARE
AER-FCA0603 -6 AN HOSE 3 FT LENGTH
CCA-7938-16 PUSHRODS
EAR-101175ERL 9-1/2 SINGLE INLET -6
MRG-1514 FUEL PUMP MTG PLATE CHEVY
PRO-141-752 AIR CLEANER
PRO-66116 OIL DIP STICK KIT CHEVY S/B T
SUM-G1423 CARB STUDS 1.70″ OAL
HED-62306 HEADMAN SS HEADERS
Looking at the parts ordered you can see we will have a 9.8:1 compression ratio. We are aiming for a 10.5:1 compression ration and we will machine down the 72cc heads to make that happen. Most 72cc heads are the same as 64cc heads but they have more material at the base that can be removed for fine-tuning.
C3 Corvettes needs vacuum for just about everything from the heating system to headlights and windshield wipers. We needed to have enough vacuum for our power brakes, but also all the other accessories that will be used in this car while driving. If you plan to put in a larger cam, make sure you are willing to give up some of the items listed as we are cutting it close to being able to run everything when needed.
1971 Corvette C3 Small Block 383 Build Parts List from Summit Racing With 453 HP & 489 Ft Lbs Torque Project C3 Corvette Building a 383 stroker is very affordable for anyone who plans to do any crank work in a rebuild.