283 vs 327

[skokie]

Im thinking about building a engine over the next 1-2 years in the garage and I am not sure which would be a good one to go with. Any details on the pros and cons for the 283 and 327 would be appreciated.

Thanks

[shortymac83]

The 283 is probably more rare and would be the one I'd build just for the cool factor, however I don't think you could get the torque out of a 283 that you could with a 327. For every day driveability, I think I'd go with the 327

[Ironhorse]

Just a thought but if you have access to both blocks complete consider using the 327 block (larger bore) and the 283 crank (shorter stroke) to give you the quick rpm range of a 302 CI. mouse motor. Very quick revs and has the best of two worlds, the larger bore and shorter stroke.

[Bowtie67]

Both are good motors, I have seen some 283 have some nice torque. Now considering where gas prices are going the 283 might not be a bad idea mixed with a topend from a later model Camaro or Firebird TPI setup and an overdrive trans you might be able to get around 25+mpg. JMO

[hgs_notes]

I have a 283 and its been a good engine, but I would trade it for a 327 or 350 anytime. I've hotrodded mine up quite a bit and the power is good and the revs climb nicely, but the low end grunt just isn't there with an automatic tranny. I used to have a manual tranny and a much stronger cam shaft and it was a blast to drive. You could the the rpm's up and let the clutch go. With the original 3 on the tree I could smoke 295/50-15's for half a block.

Given all my experience with the engine in different tranny combos, I'd use the 327 as a first choice. If there was a problem with the block that made it difficult to rebuild, then use the 283. If you have an automatic tranny, definely use the 327, or even a 350.

BTW, the 283 will not give much advantage for gas mileage. Mine gets about 11mpg. I know it's not stock, but I can't imagine one of these trucks getting more than 16 mpg no matter what gas fired engine you drop in it.

HG

[69ride]

283. done right they will sit there and sing at 7000-8000rpm all day, such a short stroke. Besides a lot of people underestimate a 283, you could surprise a lot of people. A guy in town has one with a few mods done to it and he revs that thing up to 8300rpm, but has to back off because that's when the valves start to float.:p

[MACKL]

I have had both and the 350 is the way to go.

[Stocker]

Originally posted by Ironhorse
Just a thought but if you have access to both blocks complete consider using the 327 block (larger bore) and the 283 crank (shorter stroke) to give you the quick rpm range of a 302 CI. mouse motor. Very quick revs and has the best of two worlds, the larger bore and shorter stroke.

Yup, especially if you want a bit of a hotrod, and if you have a relatively lightweight vehicle to drop it in! Back in the day, people used to bore out a 283 block to 4" and call it a 301. When Chevy put 'em in the early Z28 Camaros, they used a 327 block and a shortened (283) crank and called it a 302. Ran like stink and was quite successful in the old Trans Am racing series!

[crazy longhorn]

I like those old 283's, but they are better suited to a liteweight car. for a 3800-4000 lb truck, i would go with the 327, or even a 350. I drove a 71 c 10 with a .060 over 283(300 hp 350 heads, & cam to match ,4brl Holley & headers). Running through an old M21 muncie (close ratio box), & 3.73 gears, it ran decent & got 15-16 mpg on the road. it did still lack the low end "grunt" when the truck was loaded heavy tho.... crazyL

[72C203503ONTHETREE]

If you cant find a 327 block, get a good used 350 4 bolt main, its the same block, but you have to find a 68-69 327 since they use the same larger main journbal size and con rod big end size like the 350. Prior to 68 the 283-327 used the small journal blocks but had forged steel cranks. The only forged steel crank in the 68-69 327 was maybe the Vette version and maybe an aftermarket piece. Of course you would need the 327 specific pistons since they have a different pin placement than the longer stroke 350.

[Longhorn Man]

Quick tidbit of info, if you are doing up a 283, and watching your cash, a set of later model 305 heads are great, already set up for unleaded, small cc's, and a dime a dozen. If you don't plan on spinning it into the stratisphere, then the smaller ports will be enough to feed a smaller c.i. engine and keep intake velosity up for some improved low end.
All things being the same, i would opt for more cubes myself...a 400 small block can be made to look like a stock 283...and it would take a heluva good eye to catch the difference in a car (or truck) when you pop the hood at a show or at a race. (speak softly and carry a huge stick...or long crank)

[RON WOODGEARD]

It just depends on what you want to do with this motor, You want Nastalgia, A 283 would be cool,I had a 283 -Powerglide in a 64 ElCamino that got 24 MPG. But as Crazy says, Don't bother with the home made 302 in these trucks, you would be disappointed. That combination is a kick in the A$$ for a little Nova, I built one 25 years ago and put it in a 60 Ford Falcon, Straight axle, Ford 9", 4:10 rear. 4 spd. Light weight, immediate throttle response, super quick R's
A friend put one in a 70 Chevelle, all he did was bad mouth it, The car weighed too much. They have no bottom end Power. If you became set on building/running one, I would recommend Short gears, At least 4:10's and maybe even 4:56's, And a narrow ratio 4-spd so you keep the RPM up in it's working range.

There's been a few people getting 17 to 18 MPG in our trucks, I'm not sure how ? I get 10 to 12. have for lots of years with three totally different motors, and three different rear end ratios.

[crazy longhorn]

I still have a "virgin" pooch 83(64 block) packed in grease in the basement, also 2 virgin steel cranks & 3 sets of sj rods(1 set of 327 sj rods). I plan to build it one day(after I win the lottery) .....that high revvin little sb needs a 6-71 on top to scoot my 4200 lb truck down the road! a big hole in the hood, with a "huffer" & a pair of quads would be freakin cool! i have got a lot of gears & still think about that.....they were screamin little small blocks.......still, short of a blower, they were not suited for a hipo truck. crazyL

[Longhorn Man]

Originally Posted by crazy longhorn

I still have a "virgin" pooch 83(64 block) packed in grease in the basement, also 2 virgin steel cranks & 3 sets of sj rods(1 set of 327 sj rods).

Hey crazy...better get those out of the basement while you still can...I played hell getting my 402 out of the basement, and when I tried getting my TH400 (caddy length) out of here, I ended up killin my back.
Just a heads up, I know you old ppl don't like pain...at least, with as much as y'all complain about your backs and hips and everything else.

[crazy longhorn]

LMAO! Good call Andy......I could have my 2 boys haul that stuff out of the basement they are both bigger than me now! The youngest is 15, & he 5' 11", & goes 2 bills on the scale.....i think the time will come when big brother will pay for all that mean chit he pulled on little brother! crazyl

[shuttermutt]

Originally Posted by Ironhorse

Just a thought but if you have access to both blocks complete consider using the 327 block (larger bore) and the 283 crank (shorter stroke) to give you the quick rpm range of a 302 CI. mouse motor. Very quick revs and has the best of two worlds, the larger bore and shorter stroke.

Absolutely! I've been dying to put one of these together. It just seems like a really cool buildup that would work very well with lots of lightweight (read: aluminum) parts. IIRC, the whole reason GM built the 302 in the first place was to squeak in on a displacement limit. If I could just find a 67 Nova in decent shape, this is the engine I'd use to mate up to that 6-speed he's got.

[Ackattack]

Originally Posted by Bowtie67

Both are good motors, I have seen some 283 have some nice torque. Now considering where gas prices are going the 283 might not be a bad idea mixed with a topend from a later model Camaro or Firebird TPI setup and an overdrive trans you might be able to get around 25+mpg. JMO

I wouldn't use a TPI setup for either a 327 or 283 (especially the 283) The advantage of these engines of the typical 350 is their ability to rev (assuming proper valvetrain). The TPI setup is really a torque monster setup, but dies out at 5000 rpms or less. Of course you can do aftermarket upgrades to get it to breath well beyond 5000, but then you might as well stick with a carb.

On the TPI note though, I'm planning on putting a L98 (350 TPI) in my truck. I don't care that much about the HP anymore, but that low end grunt is gonna be nice Not to mention the OD tranny that will be with it

If I were building a high rpm motor, I'd have to go with a 400 block with a 327 crank and longer rods. (Thinking) Might just have to use my crank out of my 327 to do that once I get the L98 (/thinking)

[busterwivell]

Looks like it comes down to what you want to do with it. If you are just building one to have a spare, go ahead. If you want the cheapest stock one, I think the 350 kits are the cheapest.