I need some ideas for my 18 classic

[kenny ellis]

I've got an '85 '18 classic in near original shape, 350's alittle tired. Anybody willing to share some performance ideas? 383? heads, headers?

[tmdog]

If I had the extra cash - - # 383 with a good exhaust. Exhaust choice will get you varying opinions. That's what I would do.

[Ted Guldemond]

I agree with Tmdog. If your 350 needs freshening with a .030 over bore, then its not that much more expensive to throw in a 3.75 inch scat crank for an additional $230. You may have to do some clearencing near the pan rails. Also I'm partial to vortec heads, real good bang for the buck. Around $500 plus with stock spings, about $650 if set up for lift over approx. .477inch? You will also need a different intake. But if your running a cast iron intake now, you might want to change over to something lighter anyway. Of course there are always hidden incidentals like new hardware, maybe the crank will have to be balanced? Check around on ebay. There are usually pages of auctions on new cranks, pistons, rods, cams, heads etc.

[MOP]

You may want to consider the HT383 that Chevy offers, good power and torque. If you block is good you can build one cheaper thats your call!

http://www.crateenginedepot.com/store/HT383-Performance-Crate-Engine-12499101-P7C53.aspx

Phil

[mrfixxall]

With your engine...
1- go .030 over
2- have the mains lined boared
3- zero deck the block
4- 3.75 stroke steel crank= 383
5- or 3.85 stroke steel crank=392.87
6- get a good set 6.00 h beam rods,reason for this it will make the motor think it has a bigger cam in it.Awsome torque..
7-i like alunimum heads you can run more compression with them.
8-j&e or srp flat top pistons with fly cut valve relifs
9-8 qt oil pan
10-comp roller hyd retro fit cam #xm270hr
11- comp roller rockers 1.6 ratio
12- comp push rods
13- edlbroch air gap intake or professional products..
14- felpro marine gasgets..
15-ballance the rotating assembly(most important)
etc
etc
Hope this helps a little
good luck with your project..

[Rootsy]

you can purchase remanufactured L31 vortec heads, setup for high lift with LT1 valvesprings for about 400 bucks a pair... If you go this route i recommend a D dish quench style piston which will compliment the heart shaped high turbulance combustion chamber...

if you are going to go to the trouble to line bore the block and you are going to add ponies you might as well stud and girdle the bottom end while you are at it if it's a 2 bolt..

thats all for now... back to itching fiberglass out of my skin...

[MR MAGOO]

You may want to consider the HT383 that Chevy offers, good power and torque. If you block is good you can build one cheaper thats your call!
http://www.crateenginedepot.com/store/HT383-Performance-Crate-Engine-12499101-P7C53.aspx
Phil


Great way to go. A neighbor of mine got a pair of these for his 26' Sutphen. Bolt up some decent exhaust, a 750 Holley and your good to go. He paid $4850.00

[Sam]

Sweet looking ride and the passengers...................well let's just say very nice :yes:.

[Carl C]

Wowza..........Are those the Hot Boat models???????

[Ted Guldemond]

Well Kenny as you can see there are many options and many opinions, all excellent advice. What it comes down to is what do you want the boat to do and what do you want to spend. A good reference to help sort out the choices, would be Dennis Moore's book on hi-performance marine sbc"s. You know there's nothing wrong with a simple rebuild with some hypereutectic pistons, a mild cam, and some pocket porting on stock heads. Particularly if your on a budget or if like me, your wife thinks your on a budget.

[JimG]

Call Harbormaster for one of their Mercruiser 383's... That's a great deal!

[kenny ellis]

Thanks for the info guys. I think it's pull it and do it right time. I've got a good engine builder that i'll pass some of these details to. What kind of HP do you get with a 383?

[mrfixxall]

If its rite 450------ 500 hp.. & with the proper exhaust...good luck.