Super Chevy Magazine Homepage Super Chevy
Facebook Click here to find out more!

Roaring Twins

Edelbrock builds a couple of cool small-blocks

When you've been in the high performance business since it basically began, you have the opportunity to learn a thing or two about making power. Whether it is all-out racing power, or mild street power, Edelbrock has had the time to develop a perfect combination. And now they're offering two street small-blocks. One for power and one for torque.

PERFORMER RPM 350
Edelbrock's horsepower motor starts with a GMPP ZZ4 short-block, using all factory GM parts for durability. To that, Edelbrock adds its top end package that's been refined with literally years of dyno tests. The components Edelbrock installs on its Performer RPM engine make it a very reliable streeter. It's not designed for high power, but still makes more power than any small-block you could get in a new car today. Even though it's not their torquiest motor, the Performer RPM 350 still cranks out 325 ft-lb at 2,500 rpm. Peak power comes at 6,500 with 410 hp. That means this engine has a long power band that will pull and pull and pull in a street car with long gears or an overdrive. On top of all that, all Edelbrock crate engines include a 2 year/24,000 mile warranty, so you know you're covered if something goes wrong. See all the details and power results of Edelbrock's Performer RPM 350 later in this story.

383 RPM ENGINE
The torque monster in Edelbrock's small-block line up is the 383-cid RPM. It, too, is based on a GMPP short-block using all factory components. The difference is up top, where Edelbrock installs a few different components to add torque on the street. This stroker combination grunts out exactly 1 ft-lb-per-cid at 2,500 rpm. The rpm band of this engine is all done at 5,500, so it's not a high revving brute either. Peak power is 436 hp at 5,500, but it still carries up to 430 hp by 6,000, so it's got some long legs too.

  • 0310Sc Edelbrock01 Z

  • 0310Sc Edelbrock02 Z
    Edelbrock designed both of these crate engines with years of dyno research. Here, Kurt Hooker, supervises one of Edelbrock's in-house dyno test sessions.
    0310Sc Edelbrock02 Z
    Edelbrock designed both of these crate engines with years of dyno research. Here, Kurt Hoo
  • 0310Sc Edelbrock03 Z
    All of Edelbrock's crate engines are inspected and assembled in-house at Edelbrock's facility in Southern California.
    0310Sc Edelbrock03 Z
    All of Edelbrock's crate engines are inspected and assembled in-house at Edelbrock's facil
  • 0310Sc Edelbrock04 Z
    When shipped, all external ports are sealed to keep debris out.
  • 0310Sc Edelbrock05 Z
    Nothing is left out; Edelbrock includes a Milodon timing cover, and oil pan, and a stock GM timing pointer, too.
    0310Sc Edelbrock05 Z
    Nothing is left out; Edelbrock includes a Milodon timing cover, and oil pan, and a stock G
  • 0310Sc Edelbrock06 Z
    The 383 RPM engine gets a healthy hydraulic roller camshaft. The Performer RPM 350 uses a conventional flat-tappet hydraulic cam.
    0310Sc Edelbrock06 Z
    The 383 RPM engine gets a healthy hydraulic roller camshaft. The Performer RPM 350 uses a
  • 0310Sc Edelbrock07 Z
    Both engines use the same Performer RPM dual-plane intake manifold.
  • 0310Sc Edelbrock08 Z
    Both engines also use the same 800-cfm Edelbrock EPS carb.
  • 0310Sc Edelbrock09 Z
    Full-roller aluminum rockers are part of the Edelbrock package.
  • 0310Sc Edelbrock10 Z
    A new Edelbrock timing chain comes with the deal as well.
  • 0310Sc Edelbrock11 Z
    No hardware is left to chance, so Edelbrock installs its own super-strong-head bolts. The block comes from GMPP with four-bolts mains, so you know it's tough.
    0310Sc Edelbrock11 Z
    No hardware is left to chance, so Edelbrock installs its own super-strong-head bolts. The
  • 0310Sc Edelbrock12 Z
    The cylinder heads make the package complete. These 170cc runner aluminum heads have all the right parts to make power and live indefinitely on the street.
    0310Sc Edelbrock12 Z
    The cylinder heads make the package complete. These 170cc runner aluminum heads have all t
  • 0310Sc Edelbrock13 Z
    The intake runners come blended from the factory.
  • 0310Sc Edelbrock14 Z
    The D-shaped exhaust ports help keep velocities high for added power.
  • 0310Sc Edelbrock15 Z
    Kidney bean shaped 64cc chambers are the key to making power with these Edelbrock heads.
  • 0310Sc Edelbrock16 Z
    A GMPP short-block is the foundation for both of these street killers.
  • 0310Sc Edelbrock17 Z
    Hypereutectic pistons add strength on the street with under 10:1 compression for pump gas.
  • 0310Sc Edelbrock18 Z
    The 383 engine's hydraulic roller cam uses this factory GM thrust plate to eliminate cam walk, which can destroy an engine in no time.
    0310Sc Edelbrock18 Z
    The 383 engine's hydraulic roller cam uses this factory GM thrust plate to eliminate cam w
0310Sc Edelbrock19 Z

Edelbrock Performer RPM 350 specs
* 9.5:1 compression GM Performance Parts ZZ4 short-block (Includes four-bolt mains, forged steel crank, hypereutectic pistons, 8-inch dampener, and one-piece rear main seal)
* PN 60899 cylinder heads (170cc intake runners, 64cc chambers, 2.02/1.60 stainless valves)
* PN 7101 RPM intake manifold
* PN 1413 EPS carb (800 cfm)
* PN 7776 aluminum roller rockers
* PN 8550 head bolts
* PN 4153 valve covers
* PN 7102 camshaft (308/318 advance, 234/244 at .050, .488/.510 lift, 112 lobe separation)
* PN 9630 pushrods
* PN 7800 timing chain
* PN 8820 water pump
Other parts included:
* Milodon oil pan and pump system
* Milodon timing cover
* MSD distributor and coil

Edelbrock Performer RPM 350 dyno test results:
RPMTQHP
2500325155
3000359205
3500350233
4000395301
4500407348
5000401382
5500387406
6000357408
6500331410
MAX407410

Edelbrock 383 RPM Engine Specs
* 9.8:1 compression GM Performance Parts short-block (Includes four-bolt mains, forged steel crank, hypereutectic pistons, 8-inch dampener, and one-piece rear main seal)
Edelbrock parts:
* PN 60899 cylinder heads (170cc intake runners, 64cc chambers, 2.02/1.60 stainless valves)
* PN 7101 RPM intake manifold
* PN 1413 EPS carb (800 cfm)
* PN 7776 aluminum roller rockers
* PN 8550 head bolts
* PN 4153 valve covers
* PN 2204 hydraulic roller camshaft (296/304 advance, 234/238 at .050, .539/.548 lift, 112 lobe separation)
* PN 7801 timing chain
* PN 8820 water pump
Other parts included:
* Milodon oil pan and pump system
* Milodon timing cover
* MSD distributor and coil

Edelbrock 383 RPM engine dyno test results:
RPMTQHP
2500383183
3000404231
3500407272
4000460350
4500461395
5000443421
5500416436
6000376429
6500324400
MAX460436
Enjoyed this Post? Subscribe to our RSS Feed, or use your favorite social media to recommend us to friends and colleagues!

*Please enter your username

*Please enter your password

*Please enter your comments
Comments:
Not Registered?Signup Here
(1024 character limit)
Super Chevy