• When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.

What piston for my 383 build?

And all the math is based on this number which is the spec but usually not an accurate number.... Kinda like the cylinders heads are supposed to be 81cc but actually are 88-92

I happened to have a bunch of this info in a spread sheet from two years ago when looking to rebuild my friends 383.
The block height of his block was 9.993" (0.013 above the 9.980" "spec height")
On my 906 heads, before milling, the chambers were right around 90 cc.

Edit: The 383 did not get built, it was sold and we built a 505" stroker in the end.
 
BSB, to explain my red x, the specs i found have the dome and flattop kb's at 1.908 c.h. , the speedpro forging at 1.920, the icon 687 at 1.912, so the icon would be in the middle.
 
Guys, keep in mind the original 68-69 383 HP piston has a CH of 1.932". Without going to a semi-custom piston, the closest replacement I can find currently on the market is the Speed-Pro #L2315NF, which even then, you're loosing 0.012" of piston height. Should be able to make that up when you square the deck and surface the heads.

Soon, I'll have my actual deck measurements in hand. I'd be surprised if my block is factory blueprint spec. Some have said these blocks can be off 0.020" side-to-side. We'll see. So armed with my currently known data and the Diamond Racing compression calculator, this is what I came up with:

Stock 69 383HP -----------VS-----------Rebuilt with Speed-Pro L2315NF

Bore: 4.25----------------------------------------------4.28
Stroke: 3.375------------------------------------------3.375
Rod Length: 6.358-------------------------------------6.358
Gasket Bore: 4.354------------------------------------4.441
Comp. Gasket: 0.020----------------------------------0.020
Block Deck Height: 9.980----------------------------9.980
Top Ring Down: 0.360--------------------------------0.360
Head CC's: 91------------------------------------------89(est)
Piston CC's: 0---------------------------------------------0
Piston-to-Deck: 0.0025--------------------------------0.015
Piston Compression Height: 1.932------------------1.920

Calculated Compression Ratio: 9.01:1-----------------9.03:1

Using the same data here are what the KB offerings come out to:

KB400 = 9.29:1 = $357.99
KB262 = 8.44:1 = $344.99
IC687 = 9.25:1 = $565.99
 
Last edited:
What quality is your pump premium in Sweden? Our pump gas premium here is rated - research octane, plus motor octane, divided by two. Depending on which state we live in, our premium varies from 91, with 10% alcohol (garbage) to 93, alcohol free.
Whether you enjoy your engine will depend on if it can run comfortably on your pump gas.
If you just want a nice running engine, I would be conservative with the compression ratio.
Here in california , with 91 and 10% , I wouldn't build one over 9-1 with iron heads and a mild cam.
We have 95 and 98, i think we have one more but not where i live.
 
I wouldn't, I would pay the extra cost for the ICON piston, and build the engine a bit on the larger cam size knowing I will be using a high stall converter, but this is not my build and the original poster seems to want more of a daily driver that is simple and not too expensive?
What I was getting at is with the small cam you don't need the piston valve reliefs of the KB-162, and the speed-pro L2315 gives a slight bump in compression ratio over the lower deck height KB-162 flat top piston (if the block is not cut to zero deck the pistons.) And that if planning to use a larger cam that might need the valve reliefs like the KB-162 has, you would want to bump up the compression with the larger cam anyway, so the dome piston(s) (KB-400 or ICON-687) makes sense.
I think the discussion sort of got away from the ICON piston, likely because of cost and with the mild cam the less expensive pistons will get the job done.

Really, your talking a really simple and mild build, no reason to overthink all this stuff. Having the right ignition advance curve, and torque converter will have more of a performance impact than 1/4 point of compression which is close to the difference between the L2315 and the KB-162. Again, at the same block height.

Totally agree. Either the 2315 for the budget build, or the 687 for a performance orientated 383. The 2315 is the least expensive overall and my #1 pick for the OPs build, based on what I know, or think I know. The KB400 is more costly than the 2315, followed by the IC687.

The KB400 less compression, but you get a valve relief. But for $200 more over the KB400, you get the thinner ring pack, way lighter forged piston, valve notches, and higher compression. So I guess if a guy wants a big cam for his budget 383 and does not have $200 for a way better, higher compression piston, the KB400 is the pick.

I get all of the excitement to defend the KB400 when there were less choices.
 
Stock 69 383HP -----------VS-----------Rebuilt with Speed-Pro L2315NF

Bore: 4.25----------------------------------------------4.28
Stroke: 3.375------------------------------------------3.375
Rod Length: 6.358-------------------------------------6.358
Gasket Bore: 4.354------------------------------------4.441
Comp. Gasket: 0.020----------------------------------0.020
Block Deck Height: 9.980----------------------------9.980
Top Ring Down: 0.360--------------------------------0.360
Head CC's: 91------------------------------------------89(est)
Piston CC's: 0---------------------------------------------0
Piston-to-Deck: 0.0025--------------------------------0.015
Piston Compression Height: 1.932------------------1.920

Calculated Compression Ratio: 9.43:1-----------------9.17:1

Using the same data here are what the KB offerings come out to:

KB400 = 8.94:1 = $357.99
KB262 = 8.44:1 = $344.99
IC687 = 9.4:1 = $565.99

I fixed your numbers based on Wallace calculator and using 89 cc
 
BSB, to explain my red x, the specs i found have the dome and flattop kb's at 1.908 c.h. , the speedpro forging at 1.920, the icon 687 at 1.912, so the icon would be in the middle.

Take a closer look. The 687 has a net positive volume of 4.5cc due to the dome.
 
Last edited:
Hey guys,
I'm going to rebuild the original 383 from my project car. I've been running the numbers in the Summit racing compression ratio calculator and have come up with all sorts of combinations to get the ratio into a favorable range.
My first goal was to reuse the original pistons but with them sitting .076 below deck, I'm looking to those Speed Pro pistons.
The Speed Pro specs list a 1.920 compression height. Those KB400s show 1.908. That .012 means more compression all else being equal but does anyone know what that means in terms of TDC measurement below deck? I'm trying to get an accurate number for the compression ratio.
I appreciate the response. How do you determine the below deck height?
Do you take the rod length, the piston compression height and the stroke and add them together and compare to the published deck height?

If you want to know with 100% certainty, you'll need to measure a couple of things. Measure all of the piston heights to the deck. You cannot do just one. Second, take a piston out and measure the compression height of the piston. This will not tell you everything, but it will get you everything you need to know.

All of the pistons pin to piston top will be the same. So with that, you will be able to determine the difference between your piston choices, and the pistons in the motor, and exactly where each of the piston choices will end up relative to the deck when installed, assuming no rod reconditioning, or rod to bore switching. You can usually deduce, with some certainty based on the data, if the difference from hole to hole is due to rod, deck throw, or deck machining.
 
We have 95 and 98, i think we have one more but not where i live.
That's why I asked, and explained how ours is rated. I think your octane numbers posted are the research numbers only. The research on ours is about the same, 96 ish, but the motor is in the high eighties.
My point is... yours isn't significantly better than ours. Choose your compression accordingly .(do some research, I may be wrong)
 
I happened to have a bunch of this info in a spread sheet from two years ago when looking to rebuild my friends 383.
The block height of his block was 9.993" (0.013 above the 9.980" "spec height")
On my 906 heads, before milling, the chambers were right around 90 cc.

Edit: The 383 did not get built, it was sold and we built a 505" stroker in the end.


KD - These numbers posted by 451 are pretty typical. Which of course puts the 68 - 69 piston well below the deck - sorry, I could not resist.

If you have a virgin uncut block, it will be taller than 9.98 spec.

And FWIW, the general belief is that the factory 906 heads were 90+cc. I believe that today they are. But I also believe that back in the day, when these heads were new, they were 87 - 88.
 
Take a closer look. The 687 has a net positive volume of 4.5cc due to the dome.
I thought we were talking about compression height. The icon is in the middle.
Also, the kb400 is also a dome piston, and has a 6cc positive dome too. With the .004 ch. difference, it will probably be a wash with the 687.
The KB 162 is the flattop.
 
Last edited:
KD - These numbers posted by 451 are pretty typical. Which of course puts the 68 - 69 piston well below the deck - sorry, I could not resist.

If you have a virgin uncut block, it will be taller than 9.98 spec.

And FWIW, the general belief is that the factory 906 heads were 90+cc. I believe that today they are. But I also believe that back in the day, when these heads were new, they were 87 - 88.

They would only be that much bigger with very recessed valves / worn out seats. I’ve CC’d these in the past in the 86-88 range. Just did a set of -975’s at 86. Nice with the hardened seats too.
 
I thought we were talking about compression height. The icon is in the middle.
Also, the kb400 is also a dome piston, and has a 6cc positive dome too. With the .004 ch. difference, it will probably be a wash with the 687.
The KB 162 is the flattop.
No, compression ratio.

And no it does not, the kb400 is net zero because the reliefs are so deep. Summit has it at wrong if that is where you are going for info.

Look at the manufactures catalog. Look at all the numbers. Look at their published compression ratio. Maybe the manufacturer got it wrong.
 
Last edited:
KB400’s used to be -6cc effective dome volume.
Several years ago they reconfigured the domes and valve pockets, and are now a net volume of “0” cc.
 
First quit drinking the comp cams cool aid if you have a 9:5 or under motor
Lunati, Howards or Jones in the 250-256 Intake range will close the intake in the low 50 degree ABDC area and up your dynamic compression all have around .460 lift
268 comp is MUCH later and really no more than the above at .200
I've not had much luck over 9:1 with open chamber heads on California Swill
No more Chevron custom Supreme or Sunnoco good stuff
so nail down your cr and choose wisely
 
And FWIW, the general belief is that the factory 906 heads were 90+cc. I believe that today they are. But I also believe that back in the day, when these heads were new, they were 87 - 88.

My stock uncut 906 heads both CC’d at 91CC’s
 
The easy button for a warmed up 383 is 2315’s and either Stealth heads(80-81cc)or the 75cc E Streets.

That’s for combos that aren’t going to be using a cam that needs valve pockets.
 
Auto Transport Service
Back
Top