I have a 1990 Suzuki Samurai that I am building a motor for. I have a 1990 TBI motor that I plan to convert to carb. This is my plans and someone tell me if I am barking up the wrong tree. I would like an all cast rotating assembly because I plan no power adder. 383, Patriot heads, Edelbrock Air Gap, Holley Truck Avenger carb. I am not sure what cam I will need so please recommend something. I would like an ultra low torque curve with around peak 350hp and 450tq. If my goals are too high or there is something that I need to consider please let me know. This is an off road vehicle and a TH350 will be going behind it with Dana 44s front and rear and around a 37 inch tire. Thanks for the help guys I have learned so much and thought this would be a good place to check.

 

I am running a 383 setup with a truck avenger and some cheap stock vortech heads with an airgap and I almost have those numbers. I might save the cash on the heads. I am really happy with my setup. Torque is where it is at!

 

Damn that sounds fun. 383 in a samurai on 37s

 

The reason behind me wanting the Patriot heads is because they are AL and they would get some weight off the motor and not hold so much heat since the motor will be at or a little above idle an aweful lot. The set complete is only 800.

 

Why not run a 4.3? 350 is going to be really tight. I've got a 4.3 in my sammi and it makes plenty of power to turn the 44's. The 4.3 would weigh a little less also.

 

Because I want to strecth the wheelbase and when you install a 350 you have to stretch the frame to make the motor fit. Who did your work Black Sheep? Plus I got the 350 for free and I really want lots of low end torque. Also BS what kind of axles do you have?

 

If you are wanting torque and want to build a 383, I would suggest a 383 with 9.5:1 compression with vortec heads. If you open the ports too much, you kill torque, keep the ports small to increase velocity which increases torque....like a 170cc or 180cc head. The patriots are nice heads but the 195cc runners will kill some of the low end torque. A cam for the 383 to promote the low end/midrange, I would look into a 212/218 cam. TBI unit makes great torque and is fuel injected. If your not wanting fuel injection, go with a 650 cfm carb on a dual plane manifold design(Air-gap being good).

 

Torque is where it's at for these motors. I don't have anywhere near the experience or knowledge as most of the guys on this site so I won't offer you any real advice, but I know from my daily driving the mountains of low RPM torque are available at low engine speeds with the TBI's. Have fun!

 

So you think the Patriot heads would have too much runner volume for low torque. I was thinking about the Patriot heads because they are all AL and would get the weight off the motor. Would it pretty much be a wash or would I do best to stick with the Vortec.

 

The stockers will be a little heavier and want flow quite as much but they are cheap and if you run it a little hot on a trail you want ruin them and if you do you can pick up a set out of a salvage yard for nothing.