Should I or shouldn't I

[eagleone1983]

Ok I have a dilemma I need help on. I'm building a 383 and here's what I have so far. Bored .030 over, KB400 pistons, Comp cams XE275HL (duration at .050" lift is 231/237 the valve lift is .525"), stealth heads, and I haven't purchased them yet but I will be getting an edelbrock dual-plane performer rpm intake manifold, 1 7/8" TTI headers or comparable, and a 750 cfm carb but I'm not sure who from yet. I'm thinking I'll be in the 10.1:1 CR ratio with this combo. Now for the question:

Should I spring the extra money for roller rockers? What are the benefits? Will I see that much difference in performance over standard rockers? What other options for standard rockers are there?

Also any recommendations on anything I haven't purchased yet or whatever will be helpful. This is my first engine and don't always know everything I should be asking the builder.

 

[dantrap]

Roller rockers are free HP by reducing friction the valve train. They are also accurate in their ratios unlike the old stamped steel rockers. Various manufactures are using roller everything in their current production builds, so that has to add some value. I like your 383 combo with the exception of the dual plane intake. My engines always responded better with a single plan setup like a Torker, Tm6 or M1 type. Not knowing your Trans type or rear gears, tire diameter etc but just basing my input on my past experiences with strong 383s. Good luck to ya.

 

[eagleone1983]

The only reason I was thinking the dual plane eddy was because of the Mopar intake showdown that Hot Rod magazine had done. They stated the RPM was the best all around but I can't recall what they had done to the 383 they were testing it on. Will I loose a bunch of torque buy using an M1?

My trans type will just be a 727 with a shift kit, tires are 255/65/15 so I'm not sure what the diameter is. As far as rear gears go I have no idea what to put back there. I want to keep it drivable but I'm pretty sure I won't be putting too many highway miles on it

 

[Meep-Meep]

While it's true roller rockers will reduce friction, and reduced friction = HP, I doubt you will notice the difference vs. how much you will spend for a good set. Put the money somewhere else. I have always run the iron adjustable types with the 3/8" push rods and never had an issue. I would not use the stamped steel with a lot of spring pressure.

I didn't look up you cam but from what I see here I can guess it's a 108 or 110 LC. This cam should scrunch up all your torque and put it in the upper mid range of the RPM scale. My thoughts are is your engine will be happier with a single plane like a torker. A standard performer may cost you some power.

 

[69HEMICORONETR/TCONV]

While it's true roller rockers will reduce friction, and reduced friction = HP, I doubt you will notice the difference vs. how much you will spend for a good set. Put the money somewhere else. I have always run the iron adjustable types with the 3/8" push rods and never had an issue. I would not use the stamped steel with a lot of spring pressure.

I fully agree, I NEVER run roller rocker on a street engine, As far as Dependability, iron adjustables are the best thing going. .......On my full race engines I only run them (roller rocker)for one season, tear down the engine, sell them for cheap and replace them with new ones.

Not worth the risk in a street engine, not to me anyway,.....just my opinion.

 

[scotts74birds]

I've been lurking on this thread, and you've helped me also. Thank you!

 

[69HEMICORONETR/TCONV]

I've been lurking on this thread, and you've helped me also. Thank you!

Glad to have helped.

 

[Meep-Meep]

If it's an old road I've been down on I'm happy to pave over some pot holes so others can glide over some of the ones I hit. I have a long list of experienced machinists and mechanics to thank as I was getting started.

 

[macdiesel]

The cam and heads you're using will probably benifiet more from the PerformerRPM manifold. If you get set on running a single plain stick with the Torker. With a stock stroke 383 and standard port heads and the relatively medium cam you're using, you won't reach the RPMs nessasary to take advantage of a big single plain like the M1. You'll have more fun with the Performer RPM. The Torker is pretty small and short for a single plain so it makes good torque. I have it on my 440 with iron 346 heads and it'll pull you out of your seat all the way to 5500+ rpms. I bought it like that... I would've gone with the Performer RPM but I'm not complaining. The article you are refering to is good info. It looks like they already did the research for you.

 

[383man]

Use the Eddy Performer RPM intake as it is a great street/strip intake for mild combo's. We have one on the 400 in my sons Dart. Its a street car with 3.91's and it pulls to over 6500. We put a single plane on and it was actually a tad slower in his combo. He has run 11.40's with it. The Holley Street Dominator is a very good single plane intake for street/strip combo's also as I run that on my 63 because it sits much lower then the RPM and it would clear my hood. Your combo sounds pretty good and if the RPM fits under your hood you should use it as its the best intake for your combo. As for roller rockers I have never used them on my budget. They are nice for the valvetrain but you wont see any real performance gain with them. Spend you money elsewhere. Good luck , Ron

 

[eagleone1983]

I already purchased some roller rockers. I went with the Comp cam pro magnums so hopefully I won't see any problems.

 

[Meep-Meep]

I have the Comp Magnums on my 455 Olds powered boat and nothing fell apart yet - so if that helps....