Next of many more questions

[nicanor]

Thank you for the response about engine color and exterior color. It was very helpful.

I'm leaning toward pulling the engine and repainting the engine and trunk compartment Jamaica blue before continuing with the exterior that is almost ready for paint.

The engine has been rebuilt about 200 miles ago but I don't know with what parts and what specs other then its rated about 340 hp. I was hoping to get a Roadrunner that was much higher in performance. If I pull the engine to repaint the engine compartment, can I change the cam out to increase the hp without tearing the engine completely down while its in an engine stand. I don't want to get away from the appearance of a numbers matching car but I want to get some bump in the car.

Thank you,
Barry

 

[A31PKG]

Thank you for the response about engine color and exterior color. It was very helpful.

I'm leaning toward pulling the engine and repainting the engine and trunk compartment Jamaica blue before continuing with the exterior that is almost ready for paint.

The engine has been rebuilt about 200 miles ago but I don't know with what parts and what specs other then its rated about 340 hp. I was hoping to get a Roadrunner that was much higher in performance. If I pull the engine to repaint the engine compartment, can I change the cam out to increase the hp without tearing the engine completely down while its in an engine stand. I don't want to get away from the appearance of a numbers matching car but I want to get some bump in the car.

Thank you,
Barry

Hey Barry, welcome BTW...
A couple of us have removed the engine, trans, and suspension as a unit to paint the engine compartment. It's amazing how light these cars are without the weight up front. Once off, you can install casters mounted on 3"x 3" stock and bolt them to the underside of the frame where the k-frame mounted. You can then easily move it on and off the trailer to have it painted. Your local welding shop should have the metal lying around. I had my roller assy's made for about $50 plus the cost of the casters from Harbor Freight. As far as a cam, I recommend the Comp XE 268. I have one in my car, and it is very street/strip friendly. I have also heard good stuff about the Comp "Thumpr" cams as well. They seem to work best in relatively stock builds with 9:1 or less compression. Post some pics of the car!

 

[moparchris]

Like A31 said, these 383 really respond to performance mods. Engine Masters did a great article on a stock 383 that they transformed into a 450 horse giddy up.

http://www.moparmusclemagazine.com/tech ... index.html

 

[SomeCarGuy]

Your other post says you have a fresh 383.

Trouble is, people like to stick shelf pistons in them to cut costs. There really are no good pistons to be had off the shelf. All seem to have drawbacks. I don't even know of many that have customs made to get a nice combo.

While the engien is out, it would be good to check the P to V clearance and maybe even pull a head and see what you have in there.

The Comp stick that was suggested is good, as are several that have similar specs. Unless you have worked heads, you will only see just so much from a cam like that. Going much beyond that range w/o some more serious head work is a waste and won't really be worth a damn when just driving around.