Anyone bought a HT383E crate motor?

[Gary H NC]

My 99 Tahoe is getting up in the high mileage range and i was thinking about trying the direct replacement from GM performance.
The GM website states this is a direct swap for the Tahoe and much better power.It also says the ECM will program itself for the new motor.
I do have a Super Chips tuner for it now that really helped the 5.7 so i assume i can use it on the stroker 383.

Just wondering if any Chevy guys have this engine and was it worth the 4k price tag.
It is rated at 385 HP compared to the 240 HP or so that the stock 5.7 pushes.
That is with stock exhaust and air intake.
I already have high flow dual exhaust,gutted cats and a K&N cold air intake so the 383 should be close to 400 HP.

Any input guys?

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Anyone bought a HT383E crate motor?

Kinda off-topic and offers no useful information to Gary ....... but 3 years ago my 1990 Chevy K1500 needed a new motor. It originally had a 305 in it. Everything I read said a 350 was a direct swap. I decided on a Jasper. I had done some research and found that the injectors and the eprom would need to be changed to accommodate the larger motor. I asked Jasper about this and they assured me I wouldn't need to do that. So I have the motor installed by a Jasper recommended installer and when I pick up the truck it runs like crap. After the computer kicks in it runs OK but has a hesitation. I call up Jasper immediately and again a tech swears up an down that I don't need to change anything out and the computer will compensate. So naturally I get on iboats and I get great advice from SuperNova who had done the same swap in a Suburban. He told me to swap out the injectors and the eprom. The cheapest way to acquire an eprom was to buy one of the so-called performance chips on ebay. I did this along with injectors from Autozone and the motor ran MUCH better. I ran it like this for about 6 months. It still had a bit of a hesitation though, especially on start up and I believe a bit of a rough idle. I ended up buying an entire ECM including the OEM eprom off ebay for like $30, installed it I'll be d@mned if the thing didn't run like a new truck. I was ecstatic. That was three years ago and the truck still runs great. I think it was a smart investment because I still would have a tough time finding a completely rust-free 4x4 truck for what I have in this one. I will probably put a tranny in it when it needs one.

Here it is after towing home a big 'ol 21' Starcraft my buddy just bought a few weeks ago http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w200/ezmobee/Chris Boat/DSCF2291.jpg OMG THREADJACK!

 

[WizeOne]

Re: Anyone bought a HT383E crate motor?

Kinda off-topic and offers no useful information to Gary ....... but 3 years ago my 1990 Chevy K1500 needed a new motor. It originally had a 305 in it. Everything I read said a 350 was a direct swap. I decided on a Jasper. I had done some research and found that the injectors and the eprom would need to be changed to accommodate the larger motor. I asked Jasper about this and they assured me I wouldn't need to do that. So I have the motor installed by a Jasper recommended installer and when I pick up the truck it runs like crap. After the computer kicks in it runs OK but has a hesitation. I call up Jasper immediately and again a tech swears up an down that I don't need to change anything out and the computer will compensate. So naturally I get on iboats and I get great advice from SuperNova who had done the same swap in a Suburban. He told me to swap out the injectors and the eprom. The cheapest way to acquire an eprom was to buy one of the so-called performance chips on ebay. I did this along with injectors from Autozone and the motor ran MUCH better. I ran it like this for about 6 months. It still had a bit of a hesitation though, especially on start up and I believe a bit of a rough idle. I ended up buying an entire ECM including the OEM eprom off ebay for like $30, installed it I'll be d@mned if the thing didn't run like a new truck. I was ecstatic. That was three years ago and the truck still runs great. I think it was a smart investment because I still would have a tough time finding a completely rust-free 4x4 truck for what I have in this one. I will probably put a tranny in it when it needs one.

Here it is after towing home a big 'ol 21' Starcraft my buddy just bought a few weeks ago http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w200/ezmobee/Chris Boat/DSCF2291.jpg OMG THREADJACK!

Do I understand correctly that you went from a TBI injected 305 to a MP injected 350 and they told you that the original ECM would work? If so, that was certainly a real stretch.

The original TBI ECM in your truck would have had virtually no ability to adapt to new vacumm signals from a significantly different motor, let alone run a multi-port injected motor???

 

[WizeOne]

Re: Anyone bought a HT383E crate motor?

My 99 Tahoe is getting up in the high mileage range and i was thinking about trying the direct replacement from GM performance.
The GM website states this is a direct swap for the Tahoe and much better power.It also says the ECM will program itself for the new motor.
I do have a Super Chips tuner for it now that really helped the 5.7 so i assume i can use it on the stroker 383.

Just wondering if any Chevy guys have this engine and was it worth the 4k price tag.
It is rated at 385 HP compared to the 240 HP or so that the stock 5.7 pushes.
That is with stock exhaust and air intake.
I already have high flow dual exhaust,gutted cats and a K&N cold air intake so the 383 should be close to 400 HP.

Any input guys?

Gary, is your Tahoe even worth the value of the swap? I hear the newer sub 350 motors have lots of poop and are good on the mileage as well.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Anyone bought a HT383E crate motor?

Do I understand correctly that you went from a TBI injected 305 to a MP injected 350 and they told you that the original ECM would work? If so, that was certainly a real stretch.

Nope. All TBI. Just a different long block.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Anyone bought a HT383E crate motor?

If it was me, I would not put a new motor in a 99 Tahoe. if it was the newer model starting 2001 I might think about it.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Anyone bought a HT383E crate motor?

Gary, is your Tahoe even worth the value of the swap? I hear the newer sub 350 motors have lots of poop and are good on the mileage as well.

Yep,It is in really great shape.I bought it new in 2000 with less than 100 miles on it.
It still drives like a new truck and only has a couple door dings on it.
I am really on top of every service item.
The only concern with the 383 is if the tranny will hold up to it.

The stock engine runs fine and uses no oil at all.The underside of the truck has no leaks at all and no rust.
It has had synthetic oils all of its life.
I just feel the 350 is getting tired and would love the extra power when towing the boat or travel trailer.

This is the longest i have ever owned a vehicle.I usually trade them in before 100k but i really love this truck..And its paid for!

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Anyone bought a HT383E crate motor?

If it was me, I would not put a new motor in a 99 Tahoe. if it was the newer model starting 2001 I might think about it.

I hear ya Bruce! I know she is old but its been a great vehicle.
Also i believe it was the last year before the 5.3 was used in the Tahoe..

I recently replaced brakes,rotors,u-joints....all new door latches and hinges on the front doors,new Michelin rubber all the way around.It's a very solid vehicle,not one rattle or vibration..
With a new engine i would drive it another 10 years.

I have a new car that i rarely drive just because i like the truck better.
I have only put 3200 miles on it in 18 months..

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Anyone bought a HT383E crate motor?

Agreed...last year before the 5.3. I have the 5.3 in a 2000 Silverado and I think it is a good engine. I had both a 99 and 2002 Suburban. The 2002 was hands down a better vehicle than the older model. The brakes on the older model were just horrible.

 

[WizeOne]

Re: Anyone bought a HT383E crate motor?

.....The brakes on the older model were just horrible.

Yep! I have a '94 2500 454 that gets light duty. Every 17k miles it starts to pull when you apply the brakes. It is due to the pads getting so thin that they can't get rid of the heat. Soooo, I have to replace them like clockwork. That and the 7.9:1 compression ratio and horrible gas mileage makes me plenty PO'd.

Howsomever, it only has 44k miles on it and worth next to zero so I might as well keep it.

Right after I got it (used) in 1996, I installed a Banks Power Pack exhaust system. That, at least, woke it up a little bit. There was no excuse for building such pigs as late as 1994!

Still, in all, I do enjoy driving the Beast.

 

[bkwapisz]

Re: Anyone bought a HT383E crate motor?

I would think that if you really want to maximize the performance with the new motor you should take it to a tuning shop and have someone throw it on the dyno for a few pulls. Certainly wouldn't hurt. Is it a MAF system?

 

[Knightgang]

Re: Anyone bought a HT383E crate motor?

I think you tranny would be fine. It should be a 4L60. Your only other simple option would be a 4L80. It is a bit heavier duty than the 4L60. But I still think you are ok. That 4L60 was behind the 350 in our Suburban and it did fine. I did have it rebuilt twice. One, it needed when I bought it at 77K, but made it til about 130K before it was done. The second time was around 210K. We just up and lost reverse... All in all though, a good tranny...

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Anyone bought a HT383E crate motor?

Bruce,
I took care of the crappy front brakes.HP calipers and slotted and drilled rotors...

bkwapisz,
The dyno tune would be in the future if i end up doing this.
The chip would be temporary.

Knightgang,
I think the trans is the 4L60...I would have to count the bolt holes on the trans to be sure.

I have been looking at the 383 for some time now and the local dealer can save me at least 1500 for buying it local.

It sounds like a fun weekend swap to me..

Been watching vids on you tube...lol!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXUu-xXlEBo

 

[Knightgang]

Re: Anyone bought a HT383E crate motor?

Gary, you said Crate Motor above. Is that a ready to install complete motor, or is that a longblock...

I ask for a reason. Unless you are sold on the GM performance motor, I can check and see if I can get you a better price for a 383 crate from some of our store sources... And ship it to your door... Let me know. i will not be in there to make the calls though until next week...

 

[phantoms]

Re: Anyone bought a HT383E crate motor?

Whatever route you go, please don't put a K&N filter in it. How that junk still gets installed is beyond me. Any "real" mechanic can tell you it's nothing but junk and hype, not to mention the oil will cause nothing but problems with maf sensors.

 

[Knightgang]

Re: Anyone bought a HT383E crate motor?

Whatever route you go, please don't put a K&N filter in it. How that junk still gets installed is beyond me. Any "real" mechanic can tell you it's nothing but junk and hype, not to mention the oil will cause nothing but problems with maf sensors.

Really!!!! I ran them (The Fuel Injection Performance kits) on a 94 F-150, 5.0 for about 150K before I sold it and on a 95 Suburban, 5.7 for about 100K. I never had any problems with either vehicle. Not with MAP, O2, MAF, or any other issues?

Please explain why you claim the K&N are Junk...

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Anyone bought a HT383E crate motor?

Been watching vids on you tube...lol!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXUu-xXlEBo

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Anyone bought a HT383E crate motor?

Whatever route you go, please don't put a K&N filter in it.

I agree...waste of money and can cause problems with the MAF when they get reoiled.

They also let way too much dirt past them. They are fee flowing air filters for a reason...they flow everything!

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Anyone bought a HT383E crate motor?

My only comment is that I am not sure they/you are comparing Horsepower apples to apples.

You 1999 5.7 was rated at 255hp and about 330lb'ft of torque. Not sure where you got 240 from?
Also, if GM is anything like Mercruiser, that 380hp on the 383 is at the flywheel and is basically a "gross" horsepower, where your 5.7 is definately a net horsepower.

Basically, I am warning you that the HP difference might not be as great as you think.

That said, my dad installed a 383MAG MPI in my sister's 23' Chaparral as a replacement for the 454MAG that was in there, and it does a fine to equal job. Good luck.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Anyone bought a HT383E crate motor?

Here is a pic of the engine...it is complete except for the intake manifold,
http://www.crateenginedepot.com/HT383E-Performance-Crate-Engine-17800393-P1583C53.aspx

The local dealer said he can beat that price and if i buy it under the race team account that i used to work for it will be about 3800 out the door.
2 year warranty from GM too.
Some websites claim 340 HP and others up to 400 HP...?

Man,I have used K&N for years...
The truck has the cold air intake system on it now.So does my car and motorcycle...
I wash and lightly oil them every 6 months and never had any problems.
I do have the pre-filter wrap on them....