Opinions on 283 Motor..

[JesseSimon]

I pickup up a 66 LWB this week, its got an original 283/powerglide 2 speed combo in it..

Im just looking for opinions on if this pair can tweaked for performance or would I be better off modernizing?

I asked over there in the 60-66 page and Im getting no bites...anyone here got an opinion?

[haysonj]

Originally Posted by JesseSimon

I pickup up a 66 LWB this week, its got an original 283/powerglide 2 speed combo in it..

Im just looking for opinions on if this pair can tweaked for performance or would I be better off modernizing?

I asked over there in the 60-66 page and Im getting no bites...anyone here got an opinion?

They can be tweaked just like any motor but it would probably be more cost effective to buy a 350 with the performance package you want.

[69GMCLonghorn]

haysonj is probably right in terms of ease of upgrading. As they say, there no replacement for displacement!

But! That aside, I like the 283. Unless you're planning on really hot rodding it, stick with it. Rebuild it and get it back in top shape and just enjoy driving it. In terms of the tranny, that'll depend on what you want to spend. The old PowerSlushes were good, but 2 speeds limits the performance a bit. If you're looking to upgrade, go with a 700R4. That would be a great combo for gas mileage, driveability, etc.

[FLDBRED]

A Turbo 350 in place of that powerglide would really wake up your truck!I would try that first,it may be all you need.The 700r4 and 2004r are also great choices depending on your budget.

[69GMCLonghorn]

Originally Posted by FLDBRED

A Turbo 350 in place of that powerglide would really wake up your truck!I would try that first,it may be all you need.The 700r4 and 2004r are also great choices depending on your budget.

Honestly, the TH350 is better than the 200/700R4; But you get the benefit of the Overdrive,which would have to yield some good mileage numbers in a set up like that.

[VDOG]

I've had my slightly built 283 in my truck for over 10 years now. It has been very dependable. Has a very big cam, ( i suggest something smaller) headers, HEI, intake and carb. Runs very well, just time for a rebuild because of the blowback. If your not trying to go back in time or set some speed records, go for the 283. If I had gears other than these 3:08's I think I could do some damage on the street. Although it will scoot when I step on it.

[knsmodels]

I ran a 283 in my Chevelle for years when I was working on the BBC and the car was my daily ride......just like any sbc it will run forever and perform more than adequately when needed...I loved it and it was extremely reliable....I highly recommend them.....

[Yullose]

If you want performance, you shouldn't be foolin with a lil 283 AND a big heavy truck .

Repeat after me...

Power to weight...

Power to weight...

Power to weight...

Now don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with a 283... in fact, I'd love to have another one myself... they are bulletproof and reliable motors... and with the short 3.00" stroke, you can spin the heck out of 'em too...

That said, there are 350's out there a dime a dozen. That would be a better starting point and most all of the accessories should bolt right on anything pre-'85.
I'd save the 283 for a nice mild cruising motor or sell it to a collector looking for something of that year vintage.

[VDOG]

Forgot to mention, after over 10 years of the 283, im now building a 350 to have more performance and the same dependability as the 283 was.
Like the post above says, 350's are a dime a dozen, I paid $175 for mine with 190/202 heads. If you pull your own from a wrecking yard its bout $100.

[mclairmo]

If you want economy, use the 283. If you want any kind of performance you are wasting time and money on the 283. Start off with a 350, 400 or 383. The extra displacement will improve performance alone and will be able to take better advantage of a new carb, intake, headers, etc.

[69GMCLonghorn]

I say you should be different and keep the 283. Build it up however you want or run it stock. It's a great motor. When you go to your next car/truck show, find out how many people have a "350/350" combination... MILLIONS... Be different and enjoy it.

[BluTrukker]

I like the looks of VDOG's engine. I would suggest going in that direction. If you are looking to build big horseys, maybe look for more cubes. Otherwise keep it, anyone can have a 350, the 283 should have sufficient power and a th350 or 700r4 would both be good trannies.

[big_al_71]

sell the 283/powerglide get a 350/350 combo and start from there is exactly what I would do.

[VDOG]

Originally Posted by BluTrukker

I like the looks of VDOG's engine. I would suggest going in that direction. If you are looking to build big horseys, maybe look for more cubes. Otherwise keep it, anyone can have a 350, the 283 should have sufficient power and a th350 or 700r4 would both be good trannies.

Thanks Blu:
I also have a 350 trans in my truck. Now take note, my 283 is all roller componets, rockers, cam, etc, so some money was spent. What the guys are saying, money that was put in my engine, you could put in a 350, probably for less and have better power and performance. Bottom line, think about what you want to do, and go for whats best for you.

[68c10guy]

i've had two 700r4's in my truck and unless you get them set up right the first time they burn up. AS a result of this i am replacing my 700 with a th350. just my opinion.

[hilandr452]

I've heard nothing but good things about 283 motors, especially in that year pickup. If you rebuild it stock and toss a properly built 700r4 , you'll be more than happy and that motor will run long after you're dust.



Dan

[JesseSimon]

I like the idea of staying with the 283 to be a little different, I have a 700R4 but it has 180k on it so its due to be rebuilt. How do you "build it right"?

[69GMCLonghorn]

Well, if you just did a standard rebuild (whatever that might be) and make sure you have a good tranny cooler installed, you should have no problems. I think you can have a stonger valve body installed to firm up the shifts, which I would strongly recommend. The stock ones are mushy... excuse me... "SMOOTH"... I like to feel the shift without losing U-joints in the process.

Oh yeah, I'd install a tranny temp gauge too, just for safety sake.

[redbaron69]

if your building the truck to just get out a cruise keep the 283.

[Average Joe]

I dont mean to discourage the overdrive behind your 283 but you might want to reconsider. The 283 which you already know is a very snappy motor but not big on torque. Torque @ 2500 rpm is what you need to push through the air at 70 mph. I think as a result of an overdrive install (depending on rear gears of course) you might actually be lugging that 283 and losing mpg if not gaining much at all. My vote would be a TH350. They are very cheap compared to the 700 and very easy to install with no TV cable issues. BTW I digg those LIL 283's. I've got one in my 'burb but when it comes time to rebuild I think i'll swap to something bigger and save the 283 for my Nova.

[FLDBRED]

A good HEI dist. would also help that little guy.You could also use a stock cast iron 4 barrel intake and a spread bore type carb,this setup seems to retain a little more bottom end than an aluminum set-up.It will also give better mileage than a 2 barrel.

[VDOG]

Originally Posted by FLDBRED

A good HEI dist. would also help that little guy.You could also use a stock cast iron 4 barrel intake and a spread bore type carb,this setup seems to retain a little more bottom end than an aluminum set-up.It will also give better mileage than a 2 barrel.

Im going to have to disagree with keeping the stock intake. Well at least for me, on my 283 I had no bottom end, and top end came in eventullay.
In fact that was the last thing I added after Carb, dist, headers had been on the truck awhile. When I change to an aluminum intake, thats when bottom end torque (not a lot) came into play. Guess it depends on your setup, plus that stock intake weighs a ton!