sb 283 questions

[67cst]

hey guys i have a few questions for ya, first off here is the plan, me and my dad decided to get the original 283 from the 67 cst rebuilt, could someone please tell me what these babies had for hp stock, i kinda wanted somethin a bit bigger but i did a bit of research and it seems like these engines are pretty decent, what are your guys honest opinions on them? im a year or two i plan on swapping out for a bigblock key word plan, once im making some money welding, so the 283 just has to hold me over, do you think this will have enough jam for commuting and of course crusing? its gunna have a 4bbl and headers also, thanks guys

Derek

[Hooter]

283 rev high and have good potential. I like them but i would rather bore one out and make a 302 out of one. 383 strokers are better (of course)

[crazy longhorn]

Some of the common ratings on the 283 were 180hp, 195 hp, & the mid 60s powerpack (car) was rated @ 225 hp with dual exhaust & a 4 barrel carb. I would stay small tube (1 1/2") on the headers, & a small 4 brl like a 500 cfm edelbrock. cam selection is critical on the smaller cube engines, you may stick with a stock cam listed for a 300 hp 350 (also used on several others), or a Crane Energizer 260. Exhaust pipe size should be no larger than 2" for a dual system on the 283, & i would add an H pipe to the system. This would make a good driver /cruiser, & will have enuogh power for hauling. I have played with the "hotrod" 283s with big cams, carbs & such......but they are better suited to a lite car with a 4spd & low gears. Good luck......crazy AL

[bigjimzlll]

Hi..the 283 was a great motor...a couple of things to think about. They dont make a bunch of torque, so dont be look to be pulling 2G's at the launch. The heads are #520..these are 60cc heads,and flow pretty good for stockers...if you put camel hunps on(like I did) you wont help performance, unless you raise the C/R..becareful of the cam selection..what is mild in a 350 is BIG in a 283. rear gears are the key, and a stall converter(if your looking to do burnouts and fun stuff) to get full potential out of a 283 it must rev..to rev the torque range must be moved up the scale..to do that you lose bottom end torque(what little there is)..which if you have a standard tranny isn't a big deal, but with an auto its important...I rebuilt my 67 with heads and a comp270H magnum cam...4 barrel and headers..with the standard it would smoke the tires..with the th350 and a 2500rpm stall, it wouldn't power brake them lose. to be fair, the stall conveter was for a 350..so with the 283 it stalled at 2000 rpm instead of 2500..the same stall in my 355 will stall at 2600 rpm...I guess what Im saying is, either cam it for low reving or cam it and (build) it for hi-reving..you cant have both.
Jim

[bigjimzlll]

Hey Al...lol..me and you always seam to answer right at the same time(and usally with good advise..LOL)

[crazy longhorn]

Jim, after a few yrs playin with these old cars/trucks we are bound to learn something......I just wish I could remember it all! I sure have seen a lot of good guys/good ideas on this board. Always room for an old man to learn a few new tricks!

[Longhorn Man]

The 283 is in fact a good motor, however...
With the $$ you plan on spending on this 283 rebuild, it could easily get a perfectly good 350 with many many miles left in it.
Just something to think about.

[Fred T]

My advice, leave the 283 fairly stock and it will run for a long time. In the meantime, build a 350 to what you want, eventually replacing the 283. Then find a good home for the 283, she's to good of an engine to send out to pasture.

[67cst]

thanks for the advice guys
i thinkill get a bb goin before another sb