'97 Express 383 Marine intake

[marcgyver77]

I ordered a 383 Vortec 370HP 445Ftlbs Stroker Engine from Raptor Engines. Roller camshaft .480/.488 - 206/212 - 112. Vortec cast iron heads 1.60/2.02 valves. Speed Pro Hypereutectic flat top 9.5:1 comp ratio pistons. It was cheaper than what it would have been to buy the parts and pay for the machine shop work.
Bought a mpi Vortec marine intake. Using AC Delco 12613163 FIs which flow 41 lb/hr at 58ps. Have the 6AN hose & fittings, T-map & coolant sensors, Heater hose & pvc fittings, Wagner pvc valve.
Unsure what Purge Canister Solenoid I need if someone can help me out with that.
Going with the D.U.I. distributor and livewires ignition.
Found a pair of JBI headers that should fit.

Already did the 411 switch.
Have the HPTuners programing software. Took the Evans Performance Academy course, enrolled in the High Performance Academy course, watched dozens of Youtube videos but still way over my head on how to program for this 383 upgrade.

 

[95burban]

@L31MaxExpress

 

[L31MaxExpress]

I ordered a 383 Vortec 370HP 445Ftlbs Stroker Engine from Raptor Engines. Roller camshaft .480/.488 - 206/212 - 112. Vortec cast iron heads 1.60/2.02 valves. Speed Pro Hypereutectic flat top 9.5:1 comp ratio pistons. It was cheaper than what it would have been to buy the parts and pay for the machine shop work.
Bought a mpi Vortec marine intake. Using AC Delco 12613163 FIs which flow 41 lb/hr at 58ps. Have the 6AN hose & fittings, T-map & coolant sensors, Heater hose & pvc fittings, Wagner pvc valve.
Unsure what Purge Canister Solenoid I need if someone can help me out with that.
Going with the D.U.I. distributor and livewires ignition.
Found a pair of JBI headers that should fit.

Already did the 411 switch.
Have the HPTuners programing software. Took the Evans Performance Academy course, enrolled in the High Performance Academy course, watched dozens of Youtube videos but still way over my head on how to program for this 383 upgrade.

You will need injector data from a tune for the vehicle those injectors came from. Purge solenoid used can either be for a 94-95 TBI or a GenIV LS. Both will plug into the connector, are PWM controlled and have barbs on both connections. Shorty headers should fit IF the tubes all drop down rather than turn up.

 

[marcgyver77]

You will need injector data from a tune for the vehicle those injectors came from. Purge solenoid used can either be for a 94-95 TBI or a GenIV LS. Both will plug into the connector, are PWM controlled and have barbs on both connections. Shorty headers should fit IF the tubes all drop down rather than turn up.

I got most of my information from posts off this forum “Info on 5.7L marine intake swap” and “Marine Intake”.

AC Delco 12613163 FIs which were used on flex fuel Malibu's and HHRs 2009-2012.

Thanks for the info on the purge canister solenoid. I looked at hundreds of them trying to find one that plugged into the harness.

I’m pretty sure these JBI shorty headers will fit. They hug the block and go down.

I will have to redo my exhaust system anyways after the 5.7 engine I put in last fall had different manifolds than the 5.0 I swapped out(were not interchangeable, bolt patterns were different). The shop down the street FUBAR’ed attaching to them & adding the two cats (vs the single cat with the 5.0). They welded the o2 bungs and cats right up to the manifolds. Then welded the reduced 2 ¼ pipes to the original single cat to join back into the exhaust system. I was never able get my o2 sensors to read right that close to the cylinders.

 

[L31MaxExpress]

I got most of my information from posts off this forum “Info on 5.7L marine intake swap” and “Marine Intake”.

AC Delco 12613163 FIs which were used on flex fuel Malibu's and HHRs 2009-2012.

Thanks for the info on the purge canister solenoid. I looked at hundreds of them trying to find one that plugged into the harness.

I’m pretty sure these JBI shorty headers will fit. They hug the block and go down.

I will have to redo my exhaust system anyways after the 5.7 engine I put in last fall had different manifolds than the 5.0 I swapped out(were not interchangeable, bolt patterns were different). The shop down the street FUBAR’ed attaching to them & adding the two cats (vs the single cat with the 5.0). They welded the o2 bungs and cats right up to the manifolds. Then welded the reduced 2 ¼ pipes to the original single cat to join back into the exhaust system. I was never able get my o2 sensors to read right that close to the cylinders.

That exhaust setup sounds far less than ideal!

Both my 87 G20 and my 97 Express have tubing from an inexpensive mandrel bent exhaust tubing kit and I setup my own exhaust. I had a lot of the 87s system welded but left some joints clamped to be able to easily drop sections for repairs. The catalytic converters are clamped into place as is the muffler, the rest is welded solid now. The 87 is dual 2.5". Stayed with the OE dual 3" pipes on the 97.

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[L31MaxExpress]

Apparantly us 96-02 Express guys are on the move making changes to our almost completely overlooked platforms. Just saw this a short while ago. I also have a guy local to me that I will be tuning his 383 in his 3500 van when he gets back into the US from a business trip. He too is having issues getting a decent exhaust setup to allow his 383 to breathe well as his stock exhaust has had a couple of muffler shop reworks and fairly certain the cats are plugged.

1996 Express Van TunerPro RT v5 Definitions Setup Help

Hey there, thanks for caring enough to click on my post! First off, please repost if there is a better spot on this forum relative to my questions. I'm trying to save the little hair I have left by coming directly to the experts here. I am just putting the finishing touches on the mechanical...

www.gearhead-efi.com

 

[marcgyver77]

That exhaust setup sounds far less than ideal!

Both my 87 G20 and my 97 Express have tubing from an inexpensive mandrel bent exhaust tubing kit and I setup my own exhaust. I had a lot of the 87s system welded but left some joints clamped to be able to easily drop sections for repairs. The catalytic converters are clamped into place as is the muffler, the rest is welded solid now. The 87 is dual 2.5". Stayed with the OE dual 3" pipes on the 97.

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Good looking exhaust setup... I like the idea of having part of the system clamped for easy removal. Are you still using the duel in / single out muffler?

 

[L31MaxExpress]

Good looking exhaust setup... I like the idea of having part of the system clamped for easy removal. Are you still using the duel in / single out muffler?

Dual in/dual out on the 87. The 97 is dual 3 to a dual in/single 4" out and 4" tailpipe.

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I need to do some welding in places on the 97.

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[DieselTech]

Dual in/dual out on the 87. The 97 is dual 3 to a dual in/single 4" out and 4" tailpipe.

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I need to do some welding in places on the 97.

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I'm not trying to step on anybodies thread, but did they ever make the express vans in a 4wd/4x4 model?

Thanks.

 

[marcgyver77]

I read a post (The Ultimate 88-98 Performance Toolbox), with a section about stall converters and started looking in to it. I sent my stats to two converter manufacturing companys. One recomended one that was 200 rpm over stock (which doesn't seem like much) and the other recomended a 2400 rpm stall. Raptor Engines (building my 383) recomended a 2200 to 2500 stall.
Is it worth the cost to go to a higher stall? What is the pro's and con's?