Before I begin, let me say this...
This is a question for my '91 Camaro Z28, I know there are plenty of 3rd gen/TPI websites out there, but none of them feel like "home" to me, and there aren't many out there that have guys like here at TC with such broad knowledge and great advice graemlins/thumbsup.gif

Ok, with that said..........

My Camaro has been sitting in my grandparent's backyard for nearly 5 or 6 years now. I've been thinking, re-thinking, contemplating, saving money, then using the money for bills, etc., and re-re-thinking of how to build the motor. My dream is to build it as said in my sig., ProCharged 383ci running 10s and street driven on a daily basis. Like many, I have no money to build it that way right now, and saving, even "hiding/stashing" money in my savings account just doesn't work. Things come up, bills gotta get paid, etc. I admit, I've been really, REALLY, stubborn about putting the motor back together because I insist that, "if I'm gonna spend money to get her running, I might as well spend it all at once and do it right the first time," which is usualy how people do things. Obviously, I don't have the money, nor want to add to the credit debt, to do it right now, and I just can't save to do it over time. I've been told by many to just put it back the way it was, which was slightly quicker then stock (was running low 13s on 1/4 mile). So here I am now re-re-re-re-re-re-re-thinking what to do. I obviously can't let the car sit forever, and I really do want her up and running. So now I'm begining to "cave-in" and think about putting her back together the way she was, all I need to do is buy some new rod and main bearings, piston rings, gasket set, re-hone the cylinders, along with all the little acessories, and I should be ok. If I do, do this, then over time I'd like to start upgrading things little by little, such as the fuel injection, heads, chip, power adder, etc.

Ok, now that my "background story" is done with, I can move onto my question. As mentioned above, I'd really love to ProCharge the car, but, turbocharging it just seems a lot more fun and exciting to do. Just to "re-state" what I mentioned earlier, I don't have the money to do this right now, but it is something that I want to do.

Now onto my question...

Is it worth it to stroke a motor when using a supercharger or turbocharger? I know that the TPI isn't the best for performance, and there are aftermarket pieces from TPI Specialties, SLP, Accel, etc., that have improved upon the tpi. I remember talking to TPIS about using a ProCharger with the stock tpi unit, and they told me that it can be done, BUT, it wouldn't be worth it because it would basically be a "torque monster" and wouldn't produce much horsepower. I remember reading somewhere that turbos prefer longer runners then shorter ones, so that would lead me to believe that I would benefit more from using a TPIS Mini-ram unit. Now if I can only decide on which unit I'd like to use, I can somewhat plan out now on how to properly build the motor, so that as time goes on and I purchase my upgrades, everything will fall into place. I would really like to go with a 383, but my budget wouldn't allow for me to spend extra on having the block notched for the longer stroke crank. I know that a stroker kit isn't much more then a regular stock stroke kit, and I also know that I don't "have" pay a shop to make the neccesary notches for the longer stroke crank because I can do it myself. As contradicting as it may sound, I don't have the time to carefully make the proper notches on the block, then to measure, etc., to make sure the crank and rods clear the block, but I do have the time to do the neccessary measurements/adjustments it needs, to put the stock components together to get it running. The one and only draw back to building a 383 would be that, to the best of my knowledge, it wouldn't perform right with the stock tpi unit. Am I correct in beliving this? Or would I benefit from building a 383 and using the stock tpi unit?

Ok, sorry for turning this into a novel, I originally had a lot more typed out, but I had to take a lot of things out to make it shorter (I know what your thinking...."You call this short!?!?!?") tongue.gif

So basically, I'm planning on putting the motor back together. I've been reading a lot of magazines, and I've seen a lot of Mustangs install turbos and keep literally everything bone stock and run 10s and 11s. I know that I just can't bolt up a super/turbo charger and expect 10s or 11s, because tpi just won't get the job done. I don't have the money for forged everything right now, and I do plan on buying upgrades here and there while the car is running. But before I do commit to buying parts, I'd also like to know if it's worth it to stroke a motor when using a power adder? Or would I be better off keeping the motor a 350 and depend on the boost to take care for the rest? I know I've typed a lot, and I hope I haven't lost anyone in trying to help answer my questions. I just felt that I had to let you guys know where I'm coming from, how I feel, and the fact that as big as my dreams and desires are, my wallet isn't exactly the same size. What would you guys do? How would you build it? And please, no wise cracks about junking the car/motor tongue.gif :D Sorry for such a long post, and I really appreciate any and all help and advice!!!

Swap the 388 (bottom end only) from the 'velle into the Camaro. Rebuild the Camaro's 350 and install it in the 'velle. Put the EFI set up onto the 388. Put the carb'd set up onto the 350. Upgrade the EFI set up as you go......

This was all a good idea until I remembered that your 388's bottom end might not lend it self to being supercharged/turbocharged, it is probably to high of a CR?

Yeah, I've thought about that to, and the C/R is too bad at 9.5:1. I can easily put some 72cc heads on it to help drop the C/R and I do believe that there is such a thing as thicker heads gaskets, right? The C/R isn't my problem, what is, is the block. When looking at the front of the block, I have a broken bolt hole accessory on the lower driver's side of it. It's the last/bottom bolt hole that is right next(and inline with) the timing cover, and I'm pretty positive I remember the Camaro's power steering or alumunum accessory brace support (don't remember the proper name right now) bolts up to it. The only thing I can think of that would work, is if I were to buy a fresh block that's just been bored out 0.060" over and transfer everything from the block I have now, minus gaskets of course tongue.gif , and slap it all together. The only problem I can forsee is that the short block wouldn't perform properly (or the way it should) with the stock tpi. I'd probably have to start saving up to buy the aftermarket fuel injection set up, heads, etc., to make everything work properly, and the way it should. It's a really good idea, but, again, that'll just make the process of getting the car on the road again longer. I'd really have to think about it (yes again) first. If anyone thinks that the Camaro could perform good being stroked with the stock tpi, please let me know. I'm open to any and all ideas, and please, keep them coming.

Alex, I hardly think you'd need to stroke it to make it go really fast with a supercharger/turbocharger. But I don't know much, I'm just giving your post a bump so it won't drop off the first page.

LOL, Thankx ;) graemlins/thumbsup.gif :D