Discussion; 383 trailer-puller options.

[WorkinLonghorn]

I want to pull a travel trailer. I currently have a 350 with a mild RV cam, low compression, usable power to about 5,000 RPM (my guess). The heaviest thing I pull is a Vermeer chipper (4500 Lbs.) and this truck does so pretty well but I am near sea level relatively flat terrain.

Ever since I read about a 383 cu.in. trailer puller in Moses Ludel's "Chevrolet and GMC Light Truck Owner's Bible" I have been fantasizing about building one, only with Vortec heads and maybe Fuel injection.

I would like to hear if any of you guys have a 383 RV type set-up and what your experiences are.

I'm not interested in high winding, high compression race engines, but something that finishes up at 4000,maybe 5000, but makes good torque down low.

How much do you pull and how well does it perform in any year Chevy truck. Thanks, Brian

[my67c20]

I have a mild 383 connected to a SM465, with 3:73 gears. Used it to pull a 27ft travel trailer and to be honest, it never even new the trailer was there. Off the line, in second gear, with the trailer, i was not the guy holding up traffic. On the freeway, with the trailer, i was able to cruise around 3k @ 75 mph and there was still plenty left. How it compares to the 350, not sure towing, but around town performance night and day.

[kwmech]

I've been looking at the very same thing for my Suburban that has a TBI. Mine is a 1991, so the block is roller ready. I'm looking at 30 over, with compression at or really close to 9-1. The TBI heads are really anemic when it comes to flow, so possibly the vortec heads. Cam I'm settling on the fence about is either a 262 or a 265 roller. Big thing is the computer and the TBI. I've been looking a lot at these guys: http://tbichips.com/?page_id=73 for the mods to the fuel system and the computer.

Or I may just say screw it and put in a stock GenVI big block 454.

What are his recommendations?

[WorkinLonghorn]

Originally Posted by my67c20

I have a mild 383 connected to a SM465, with 3:73 gears. Used it to pull a 27ft travel trailer and to be honest, it never even new the trailer was there. Off the line, in second gear, with the trailer, i was not the guy holding up traffic. On the freeway, with the trailer, i was able to cruise around 3k @ 75 mph and there was still plenty left. How it compares to the 350, not sure towing, but around town performance night and day.

Thanks, that is very encouraging. What cam and carb (or FI) are you using?

[BossHogg69]

Though I don't have one, Chevrolet Performance offers the HT383 & HT383e. It's pretty much exactly what you're talking about doing. Roller cam, vortec heads, forged crank and 4 bolt mains. This engine has always interested me. It's been around for quite a while.

[joeydurango]

Originally Posted by BossHogg69

Though I don't have one, Chevrolet Performance offers the HT383 & HT383e. It's pretty much exactly what you're talking about doing. Roller cam, vortec heads, forged crank and 4 bolt mains. This engine has always interested me. It's been around for quite a while.

I've sure been thinking about this same engine...

[71sierragrande]

I haven't pulled much with older trucks, but the 6.0 liter vortec I had in my 2004 escalade pulled a 7,000 pound loaded car hauler around like it was nothing.

[WorkinLonghorn]

Originally Posted by 71sierragrande

I haven't pulled much with older trucks, but the 6.0 liter vortec I had in my 2004 escalade pulled a 7,000 pound loaded car hauler around like it was nothing.

I wish I had one of those or the thousands needed to upgrade. That 6.0 was something like 345 HP right? The 1969 350 was rated at 200 (Net).

[WorkinLonghorn]

Originally Posted by BossHogg69

Though I don't have one, Chevrolet Performance offers the HT383 & HT383e. It's pretty much exactly what you're talking about doing. Roller cam, vortec heads, forged crank and 4 bolt mains. This engine has always interested me. It's been around for quite a while.

Yeah, one of those would get it done (323 HP) but they cost 6 grand!

Also , that figure is gross HP which is ok to compare other engines using the same gross figure. The '69 350 was rated 255 HP gross. So I would pick up 68 HP. I would rather build my own I think. Or just pull a smaller trailer!

[WorkinLonghorn]

Originally Posted by kwmech

I've been looking at the very same thing for my Suburban that has a TBI. Mine is a 1991, so the block is roller ready. I'm looking at 30 over, with compression at or really close to 9-1. The TBI heads are really anemic when it comes to flow, so possibly the vortec heads. Cam I'm settling on the fence about is either a 262 or a 265 roller. Big thing is the computer and the TBI. I've been looking a lot at these guys: http://tbichips.com/?page_id=73 for the mods to the fuel system and the computer.

Or I may just say screw it and put in a stock GenVI big block 454.

What are his recommendations?

The recommendations in the book are a little dated, but he managed to get 310 [B]gross[B] HP with 8.7-1 compression, World Products "SR" (Stock Replacement) heads, Comp cams CS 252H-10 camshaft, Edelbrock Perfomer intake with an Edelbrock Carb, 1-5/8" headers.
The book is from '95 (seems like just the other year).
So that was 55 more HP than the stock 350 in 1969 (255 gross, 200 net).

[Myoldtruck]

Im thinking of doing the same thing. There is a complete write up in Hot Rod magazine March 2002 issue. The issue is available on line cheap, google it. They bought the GM crate truck 383, did multiple tests from stock to semi rough idle. Stock out of the box they had 338hp and 444torque, 431 torque at 2500 rpm, thats a stump puller in my book.

My truck mr.gasket 350, sm465, and 3.73s. I tow a 4500lb air stream trailer. Even with this motor its not to bad, just when pulling up high roads I have to slow down and down shift.

[BossHogg69]

Originally Posted by WorkinLonghorn

Yeah, one of those would get it done (323 HP) but they cost 6 grand!

They are less than $5k from intake to pan. Were you looking at a deluxe version with carb & accessories?

The HT is the 323hp version, the SP is 435hp and yes, it is over $6k, but it's a 'hot rod' motor.

[71sierragrande]

Originally Posted by WorkinLonghorn

I wish I had one of those or the thousands needed to upgrade. That 6.0 was something like 345 HP right? The 1969 350 was rated at 200 (Net).

Seems like there would be a few around or even more modern drivetrains at junkyards via late model wrecks. Take the 4L65 or 4L80 with it

[WorkinLonghorn]

I went here; http://www.chevrolet.com/performance/crate-engines

And looked at the HT383 and the HT383E and both have HP peak at 4200, but both are about 6 thou.

[WorkinLonghorn]

Originally Posted by 71sierragrande

Seems like there would be a few around or even more modern drivetrains at junkyards via late model wrecks. Take the 4L65 or 4L80 with it

That would be the way to go. If I could hear it run. A 6.0 and a 4L80 would really make my day.

[WorkinLonghorn]

"My truck mr.gasket 350, sm465, and 3.73s. I tow a 4500lb air stream trailer. Even with this motor its not to bad, just when pulling up high roads I have to slow down and down shift. "

Thanks, that is also encouraging. It's the high roads that I want to prepare for. Here out West even a moderate pass crests at 4000+ feet, and the popular Tioga Pass out of Yosemite is 9,945 feet for example. I'd want to stay in 3d gear on most climbs and I know that this current 350 won't do that.

[BossHogg69]

Originally Posted by WorkinLonghorn

I went here; http://www.chevrolet.com/performance/crate-engines

And looked at the HT383 and the HT383E and both have HP peak at 4200, but both are about 6 thou.

You are correct, 'msrp' on those is $5800ish. 'Street' price is around $4800.

[clay68c10]

You could build a semi-clone of the HT383, start with good core vortec truck engine and piece it together. Pick your roller cam and stroker crank, then put it together over time as $$ allows.

This is the HT383 cam https://www.summitracing.com/parts/n...7395/overview/
If you keep an eye out, you can find them on ebay for under $100

[nightrider388]

A set of vortec heads would do wonders for a 350 with torque and hp. If you get a 383 get an internally balanced crankshaft.

[my67c20]

WorkinLonghorn not sure of the cam, but i do know its an Elgin grind. Most likely a medium version. http://www.elgincams.com/c-che2.html something like a 280/286 with stock rocker ratio. The carb is a 1406, no mods.