Has anyone tricked out a 283

[awbrown]

I had one that went well , I used a set of 305 heads .. It woke it up and gave me accessory holes for later model alt etc.. There is some info on 305 heads and what they flow on the web...

[oldtrux]

[ol_skool_chevy]

No replacement for displacement

[urmyboyblue]

Spend lots of money on a 283 to make a few HP more or go to the junk yard and buy a 350 that already has the extra HP? Hmmmmmm....

Torque is king on the streets and a 283 can't make as much as the longer stroke 350 or 400. My suggestion- swap in a 350 or 400 and sell the 283.

[Ronw435]

Absolutely correct Captain, the early 302's were small journal. I had a 69Z with the large journals! Talk about a running small block. Ran D stock at the drags and had to race a 440 GTX and a 401 AMX. Beat both and came home with the trophy. But still didn't think that was quite fair.......lol. The 401 AMX gave me the most trouble. Poor little small block........
I like the idea of having the original 283 in my truck.

[Monte's62]

Originally Posted by JWheeler331

Just curious......


I am leaning towards, at some point, dropping a new 327 or 350 into my truck for obvious reasons.

My questions though are; has anyone suped up or done anything special to the 283?

Is that motor worth putting time and money in?

What is its capabilities?

I don't know what your decision was for the question in this thread, but my opinion is the 283 is a good engine. If you want to stay original or have something a little different then keep it, but as mentioned I wouldn't spend the money to build it. Yes, you can make big improvements and have a nice little small block, but the same money gets you more with a built 350. If it were me, I would sell the 283, buy a vortec 350, with vortec or aftermarket aluminum heads, nice cam, then your at 400 hp on pump gas. You can get more with compression.

[AcampoDave]

On the internet lots of people seem to tout the "diplacement mantra" but the truth is not all of us need or want that. I always find the more unique power trains to be the most interesting. Even though a 283 is still a small block, it is a refreshing change from the norm and often capable of starting up conversations which harken back to the "good ol' days" of street rodding. I say dare to be different.

[oldtrux]

Originally Posted by AcampoDave

On the internet lots of people seem to tout the "diplacement mantra" but the truth is not all of us need or want that. I always find the more unique power trains to be the most interesting. Even though a 283 is still a small block, it is a refreshing change from the norm and often capable of starting up conversations which harken back to the "good ol' days" of street rodding. I say dare to be different.

What he said

[AcampoDave]

Old trux, you got a sweet looking motor and that air cleaner is a crown jewel. Here's the first 283 I ever owned. It was running when I bought it in a '61 Apache 10 thirty years ago. The truck rotted out but the motor still had more to give so... I gave it a new timing chain, oil pump and freeze plugs and found it a '64 longbed to live in. It's all stock (apart from some minor things) and works beautifully with my column shifted 3 speed.