inline 6 vs. 283

[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...

[pimpston65]

i found a least 4 292 in various stages of dis-repair, but i can handle it. once i have a free moment i will find out as much as i can. it would b nice to have a bone yard close. come to think of it there is a place i got my first sbc 400 from over 20yrs ago, ima try them today!!!

[TJ's Chevy]

LOL! Find one close to you and you won't have to try an lug my 292 back to your place. I was gonna ask...You gonna be selling that 283? Make sure it runs? Don't know what the heck I'd use it for...but heck. lol

[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.

[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.

[Mackie]

I drive mine like a low gruntin diesel in town, starting off in 2nd unless I have a load or upgrade and chugging around corners in 3rd without lugging. I played with the timing advance and with an A/F gauge, going for that snappy throttle response. On the highway it's turning 2300 @ 65 so that's the target sweet spot.