New kid on the block

74Malibu383 wrote:Finally got around to reading this. Wow - Love the F2! ProCharger is definitley the way to go! Would love to see a couple more motor pics if you have them. I'd like to see the intercooler mounting if possible.

Also - Have you had any issues with the transmission? I'm looking to up my boost, but I don't think mine will hold up to the beating.

I went with a D1SC w/intercooler on my 383 as a complete afterthought. Knowing what I know now, I would have done it differently and stepped up to the F1 or F2.

Thanks I'll work at getting a pic of the intercooler, it's nothing special just fabbed up and went with it. you'll have to also fab up any accessory drives because on the crank pulley you get 1 grove extra to run any accessory that you think you need. Since I went with a cog setup, I figured out because I wanted it all (power steering, ac, alt.) I fabbed a spacer in between the water pump cog and another pulley to bolt to that cog which in turn drove my ac, and alt. while the single crank pulley ran a p/s pump, it all seems to work and hold. The f-2 may be a bit much on a 383, my suggestion is to call pro charger and talk to them as to which unit to go with.

When I put the 540 in I also put a low mileage 1997 4l80-e in, it held up well, When I put the blower on and after about 4-6 times on the throttle I noticed some slight slippage between the 2-3 shift. I didn't push it anymore, later I picked up a 2003 trans. out of a fire damaged trk. which was in super shape, a perfect donor. I pulled it apart and did my homework on upgrades and parts, then rebuilt the trans., not hard to do it's much like a 400 just some stuff out front. I went with the blue plates setup through out. The models up to 1996 (stay away from) 97-99 had some upgrades, 99-03 was improved even more, you'll need some type of controller and I'm running a 2500 tcs (the convertor shop) out of Lake Havasu City Az., it's a beauty. The 4l80-e is a bit bigger than the 400 and you will have to modify the rear mount and the driveline. The 4l80-e bigger, I also meant to say heavier.

Yes, a F2 is definitely too much for a 383... Long story, but a big block was always the plan for my car. Oh well... next revision.

I went with ProCharger's serpentine set up, so I'm good on all the brackets.

74Malibu383 wrote:Yes, a F2 is definitely too much for a 383... Long story, but a big block was always the plan for my car. Oh well... next revision.

I went with ProCharger's serpentine set up, so I'm good on all the brackets.

When I went with mine there was no other brackets for the big block, are they making them now for the big block, It would save alot of time. Your setup under the hood looks nice, I'm betting you tend to surprise people. Is their a pop off on your pressure side of the blower or is it just hidden and is your inter-cooler below the rad., I had to take out the center grill support to push the cooler into that space, and I did 45 my intake out to the driver side to get away from the exh. anyways keep in touch.

Thanks. Yes, people are definitely surprised. The blower smoothed out the idle a lot, so it doesn't even sound like 660HP. Sure sounds like it when I'm in it though. Yes, the pop off valve is hidden and points towards the ground down by the steering box.

The intercooler is actually right in front of the radiator, between the core support and the radiator. However, I currently have it torn apart to move it out front. Once it hits 110 down here in AZ, she runs a little hot. I took out the center grill support last week and I am fabbing up new brackets to replace it.

With that said, did you replace the center grill support, or are you running with out it. I was debating running without it, but didn't think the four bolts holding the header pannel to the headlight buckets was strong enough. If it was just an around town car, I wouldn't worry about it. I'm planning on a couple long trips though, and don't want any issues.

74Malibu383 wrote:Thanks. Yes, people are definitely surprised. The blower smoothed out the idle a lot, so it doesn't even sound like 660HP. Sure sounds like it when I'm in it though. Yes, the pop off valve is hidden and points towards the ground down by the steering box.

The intercooler is actually right in front of the radiator, between the core support and the radiator. However, I currently have it torn apart to move it out front. Once it hits 110 down here in AZ, she runs a little hot. I took out the center grill support last week and I am fabbing up new brackets to replace it.

With that said, did you replace the center grill support, or are you running with out it. I was debating running without it, but didn't think the four bolts holding the header pannel to the headlight buckets was strong enough. If it was just an around town car, I wouldn't worry about it. I'm planning on a couple long trips though, and don't want any issues.

My cooler is mounted to the rad. support on each side (just 2 mounts) and it does tend to block the air coming in. Here in Bakersfield it hits 105 +or- at times and I can run in town about 190-200, at hwy. speeds it tends to run on up about 210-220 which I try to stay away from. I figured out at higher speeds the air coming thru the grill can run anywhere and with the cooler in front it shoots up and over the rad. core and thru the sides. I took some 1/8 in. aluminum and made a cover across the top of the rad. support and the top of the grill support & from fender to fender, took care of the sides of the rad. tanks where air was also slipping by instead of going thru the core. I had it polished and it looks good but I think I'll remake it using stainless, the aluminum is just to touchy. I run 2 fans pulling 4500 cfm (pullers) and with the addition of the trapped air now being kept towards the core it's alot better, 185-195 hwy. speeds, something to think about

I haven't had any problems with the 4 screws on the grill. I also had to run the tubing on the pas. side thru the rad. support next to the rad.. Keep up the good work, these things make good drivers and come with a binaca blast when needed.

74Malibu383 wrote:Thanks. Yes, people are definitely surprised. The blower smoothed out the idle a lot, so it doesn't even sound like 660HP. Sure sounds like it when I'm in it though. Yes, the pop off valve is hidden and points towards the ground down by the steering box.

The intercooler is actually right in front of the radiator, between the core support and the radiator. However, I currently have it torn apart to move it out front. Once it hits 110 down here in AZ, she runs a little hot. I took out the center grill support last week and I am fabbing up new brackets to replace it.

With that said, did you replace the center grill support, or are you running with out it. I was debating running without it, but didn't think the four bolts holding the header pannel to the headlight buckets was strong enough. If it was just an around town car, I wouldn't worry about it. I'm planning on a couple long trips though, and don't want any issues.

got a pic of the piece from the rad. to the header
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Just saw these. Looks good. I just finished moving my intercooler from between the core support and rad, to where yours is. I started a few months back, but only completed it two weeks ago. I just couldn't find the time to work on it. Unfortunately, the cooler weather has moved in, so I can't really do any testing. Time will tell....