[Dan in Pasadena]

See my build thread for details. I had a 283 with camel hump heads, headers, etc & 350TH trans but it had a weak cylinder so it needed a valve job but more likely a full rebuild. I had an MII kit.

I ended up installing Flat Out Engineering’s Corvette C4 IFS on the suggestion of the guy that did the install for me. His words, “I do this every day and the MII will work fine but long term I think you’ll be happier with the Corvette system because it will handle up to the weight of a big block and a lot heavier car.” Not sure I agreed with his logic but I DID know he knew more than me since he does them all the time.

Instead of rebuilding my 283 I COULD have used a crate 350 but opted for an LS swap. I went with an LQ4 6.0. His comment was that I’d be very happy with a 5.3 but in a year I’d be wishing for a little more power. And “a little more” is more expensive with the 5.3 than just starting with more displacement. Also the 6.0 iron block LQ4 (or LQ9) isn’t much more than a 5.3 and comes with the stronger 4l80e trans.

I’d say keep your stock frame unless it’s rotted through. Yours has VERY low miles so should be in better shape than all ours!