inline 6 vs. 283

[pimpston65]

so after decoding my new 66 suburban 4x4 (6K1406626910A)i find it came with an inline 6. how would i find which 6 it would have come with? it has a 283ci in it now , but seller says its from a pontiac. i also was reading that a 283 could have been an upgrade. my question. since the numbers for torque and hp are really close would i have a more powerful engine with the 6 in weight savings? does it weight less? and what about fuel savings? i also wanna run ac and stock radio and use the cig outlet for a converter to run a ipod or small bose system on our road trips. if i get the 6 should i just upgrade the charging system? i need help, but on the carryall for now!!!

[ChuckW]

IMHO I'd stick with the V8. Think you'll find it to be better overall as far as power and torque. Though I know die-hard I 6er's may feel otherwise

[Lugnutz65]

The inline 6 is heavier than a 283ci or even a 350ci. I don't have any figures to back that up, but I think it's a LOT heavier than any SBC.

I have no experience driving either one.

The L6 (230, 250, 292) is going to be unique when you pop the hood. A nice conversation piece. The SBC is less unique but upgrades and add-ons are very plentiful and cheap.

For example, I will need to spend a LOT of money to get power steering pump brackets for my 250ci L6. The brackets for a SBC are so plentiful and cheap that you would have several to chose from at the local salvage yard.

If you are planning A/C and PS and other upgrades, then the 283ci would be the easiest and cheapest route to take.

[chevy_mike]

Nope, this generation of inline 6's (194, 230, 250, 292) are all lighter then a SBC. The previous generations were heavier.

Dollar for dollar, you cannot go better then a SBC. Parts are very easy and cheap to buy. In a heavy, aerodynamically challenged truck, MPG from an inline 6 or a mild 283 (or likely most any SBC) is going to be very close.

If you already had a well running I-6, I would leave it and be happy. If you already have a SBC that runs well, I would leave it and be happy. If you want to swap for the cool factor, the I-6 is the way to go. If you want to swap for better power or cheaper to build, SBC hands down.

[1963c-10]

194-250 weighs around 450lbs......would think a 292 would be 50-75lbs more
216-235 weighs around 630lbs
sbc iron heads/intake around 575lbs
bbc iron heads/intake around 685lbs

Also....as I just found out recently when picking it up....the 348 "w" engines weigh 650lbs.

[Lugnutz65]

Originally Posted by 1963c-10

194-250 weighs around 450lbs......would think a 292 would be 50-75lbs more
216-235 weighs around 630lbs
sbc iron heads/intake around 575lbs
bbc iron heads/intake around 685lbs

Well, I stand corrected and thanks for that. I'd hate to keep telling people something that just ain't true. I am surprised and happy about the news all at the same time. Now I'd be a lot happier if I could just find some PS pump brackets for my L6!

[pimpston65]

thks for all the info, once i get my mitts on it and drive around a bit. i will make a choice on 6 or keep the 8. ima kinda leaning towards the 6 and the original equipment aspect my 65 C10 has a 283 and wanted to have twins but i think i need the challege of finding and building the 6. i sure i will come up with something, ps this forum rocks. also will the 6 (292) mate up to the 4speed thats in it? im assuming it will but not sure i dont want to go making adaptor plates and/or changing to much... thks for all the info

[1963c-10]

Originally Posted by Lugnutz65

Well, I stand corrected and thanks for that. I'd hate to keep telling people something that just ain't true. I am surprised and happy about the news all at the same time. Now I'd be a lot happier if I could just find some PS pump brackets for my L6!

No problem....and you were pretty close. The older gen L6 were quite a bit heavier.

And PM sent on p/s brackets

[Irishbleueyes]

Inline 6 is vintage all the way cool. I have a 283 I use for work everyday and with the bed full of tools about 800lbs worth gives me about 13.5 mpg around town. The 283 does barley produces the torque to haul the heavy load (but does). To battle i have installed HEI with MSD 6al, headers with duals all the way out the back and new 500 cfm Edelbrock carb fully calibrated with AFR (air fuel ratio) gauge installed in the truck keeping the AFR above 15:1 on the primaries around town. HWY mpg is really good, 18 and above and thats with 3:73 rearend.
The inline 6 gets my vote bro!

[morethanstock66]

+1 on the I6 idea. I had a 250/sm420 with 4.56s in my 67 for 5 year. Great engine with torque and gas. I swapped to a crate 350/sm420 with 3.73s for the last couple years and mpg went down. I6 is a really cool piece and definitely a conversation starter. I love the sbc, but the I6 was interesting. Plus, if you want you can bump up performance later on with Clifford, Offenhauser, ect. later on. I6s have a cult following though- you'll definitely find new friends with it. Just my .02

[63burban]

If you are going to use it on trips, I would use a 305 with stock heads, RV cam, small Edelbrock carb, hei ignition, 2" exhaust. 700r4 trans with 3:55 or 3:42 rear end gears. I have set up this combination in several vehicles and have very good luck with power and mileage. In my 56 Chevy Belair I am getting 22mpg at 70mph on the hwy, my 63 Chevy C10 shortbox is getting 18mpg at 70mph on the hwy. All the power and torque you need.
If you are running around locally, a six and three speed is great and a lot of fun, or a six and turbo 200 trans. Just my experience.

[MikeN]

Pontiac never made a 283, and no Pontiac I'm aware of was ever fitted with a Chevy 283.

[Old Truck Man]

Originally Posted by MikeN

Pontiac never made a 283, and no Pontiac I'm aware of was ever fitted with a Chevy 283.

Yes Pontiac cars sold in Canada had Chevrolet engines including the 283. and they said Pontiac on the valve covers. Not to be confused with the Pontiac 287 engine. I own a 55 GMC with a 287 Pontiac engine factory installed.

[MikeN]

That's my point, a Pontiac 283 is really a Chevy.

[pimpston65]

cool at least i got that cleared up

[Old Truck Man]

Originally Posted by MikeN

That's my point, a Pontiac 283 is really a Chevy.

Ok and a 403 Pontiac engine in a trans am os really a oldsmobile engine. However the 335 GMC v8 used in59 was a Pontiac design however it was never installed in Pontiac cars only in GMC trucks. Its likely the Chevrolet 283 used in the Pontiac cars was different than the 283 used in Chevrolet,s. It could have different type pistons or internal parts. A example the 292 ford engine used in59 the car engine had a cast crank . The truck engine had a steel crank and different length rods and different piston pin height.

[Mackie]

Originally Posted by 63burban

If you are going to use it on trips, I would use a 305 with stock heads, RV cam, small Edelbrock carb, hei ignition, 2" exhaust. 700r4 trans with 3:55 or 3:42 rear end gears. I have set up this combination in several vehicles and have very good luck with power and mileage. In my 56 Chevy Belair I am getting 22mpg at 70mph on the hwy, my 63 Chevy C10 shortbox is getting 18mpg at 70mph on the hwy. All the power and torque you need.
If you are running around locally, a six and three speed is great and a lot of fun, or a six and turbo 200 trans. Just my experience.

305's get no love.
But when my`63 that came with a non-stock 283 needed a rebuild I found a roller cam 305, did rings, bearings, timing set, etc. stuck in a used LT1 cam, block huggers, HEI, Eddy Perfomer intake and 500cfm 4bbl.; with a T5 and 373 rear behind. It's all shagged out by 5k RPMs but I'm not a red-lining-it driver anyway. I think it makes a better truck engine with lowdown torque.

I use my truck as a truck and wanted better MPGs more than I wanted originality. I can tell it gets better milage but I won't have real numbers until I get a working speedometer.

[1963c-10]

There were a number of early Pontiacs that used the 283. All I know of were Canadian production....not sure if Chevy or Pontiac built the engines, but they were called Pontiac 283's Superflames or Econo Superflames....

Couple of pics of OEM Pontiac engines

Good thread on Canadian 283 cars/engines http://canadianponcho.activeboard.co...iacs-1955-197/

They also used the 348, 396, 409, 427 and 454 big blocks and most of the inline 6 engines.

[rideblue00]

thats news to me...never seen a pontiac that looked like a sbc!

[1963c-10]

Seems they were even orange when 1st produced

[pimpston65]

well the truck is in canada, i wonder if it was sent there str. from the factory or is it a transplant? then again why put a pontiac engine in a chevy. im sure they just throw whatever engine was around and fit. at leasts its GM

[1963chevyc20]

i would stick with the 283! i own one and i love it! http://s1357.photobucket.com/user/Ar...llson/library/

[AcampoDave]

I too have had great results with 283s. They become a peppy efficient motor with a few conservative mods and they are economical, like any small block. I love 'em but next time I'm doing a 292 for the cool factor.

[pimpston65]

alright its settled I6(292) cool factor is a must, and i need the challenge of finding block,heads and all the componets. thks for all the much needed posts i've learned alot about the topic...

[AcampoDave]

It's true a 305 gets no respect, but it sounds like you guys got some cool ones. In researching my 283 build I found using 305 heads to be a nice upgrade. This naturally led me to wanting to know more about 305s. They have the same stroke as a 350 but smaller pistons and many people like yourselves have built some cool efficient motors which are quick and fun, and at 4 bucks a gallon out here in CA a 305 is a great option.