Thread: too much compression

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Hello all,
I'm new here so if I'm posting in the wrong locale please let me know. Anyway, I recently purchased a 1968 Camaro with a small block. I'm told that it is a 383 stroker, 630/316 roller tappet, Dart Iron Eagle heads, JE pistons, H beam rods, etc,... with an estimated 630 HP. This is all good except that I am trying to domesticate the car and have it where it will run on pump gas. The problem is that the compression ratio, I'm told, is 16:1 thus VP 110 or similar is required.
Anyone have suggestions on what I can do to get this where 93 octane will work other than change the pistons? I've considered changing the heads to 72cc aluminums but with the existing cam I'm not sure that I will not create another problem.
any feedback will be greatly appreciated.

Far be for me to suggest much BUT if it wee me I think I would buy or build a stock 350. Trying to detune that 383 is not going to be cheap and then what to do with the parts.. Sell it (the 383)and change the engine

Welcome to CHR:

Ouch!! 16:1 can not be domesticated. Finding fuel will be close to impossible and expensive. I've built a few 500HP 383's and they're very unruly on the street and do not behave well under 2,500 RPM.

Read this article - https://www.hotrod.com/articles/0606...ression-ratio/

I think you'll find it less expensive (as mentioned by Charlie) to replace than to tame this beast.

Good Luck,
Glenn

You might want to try to confirm if that compression ratio is correct. I don’t think it’s even possible to get 16:1 compression in a small block Chevy.