Questions about 283

[maxwedge]

Jim thanks for the 426-440 plug!

[KarbonXIII]

So you're saying that for my car thats pretty much my daily driver, you're saying a big block would be the best way to go?

I want something that can spin the tires on command if i felt like (which i dont really tires are expensive)
Basically something to toy around in, play with the little tuners in town.
but most of all just something that really growls. something that even when idling it has a strong rumble to it.

but i'll never get that and get the fuel efficiency of a 283. anything I can get in between?

[MrPbody]

Maxwedge,

No plug, just fact. Must be objective thse days...(:-

Karbon,

Not necessarily. The 383 can make good power and perform in the manner you describe. The best option for your description, though, would be the Pontiac. LOTS of low-end, good efficiency and plentiful. A 400 would fit the entire "scheme", and probably produce better fuel economy than the 283. The interchange is not that difficult, but not trivial.

The big block Chevy is a great engine, but has it's limitations, like any other. The initial cost of the core is one of the biggies. Big blocks aren't the least bit "rare", but they are quite costly. The added weight over the small block would ruin the cornering ability of this car, too.

I've had that request before, to build a nice "sounding" engine, but it doesn't have to be real fast... I have yet to figure out how to build an engine that SOUNDS good, but doesn't RUN good...(:-

Jim

[silicon212]

Oh, I've seen someone do it ...

On a 350 with 1.72 valve 76cc heads (truck heads), someone threw in a COMP Magnum 280 adv duration cam. Sounded nice, rumpity bumpity idle, but it was a slug.

This was in the 80s.

[MrPbody]

silicon212,

You're basing that statement on the assumption that a rumpity cam "sounds good"... Beauty is in the eye of the beer holder...(:-

Jim

[KarbonXIII]

Not to sound totally ignorant or green, but you're saying the 400 would have better fuel efficiency than the 283?

[silicon212]

Originally Posted by MrPbody

silicon212,

You're basing that statement on the assumption that a rumpity cam "sounds good"... Beauty is in the eye of the beer holder...(:-

Jim

You're correct, I am - because most people who I've dealt with who want a 'good sounding' engine think the cam lope makes it sound good.

Including the person I mentioned above.

My own car has a little lope to it, but you can't hear it because my car has a real quiet exhaust. I prefer the 'stealth approach'.

[MrPbody]

silicon...

In a manner of speaking, yes. Every engine family has their strong and weak points. Small block is a very durable and relatively powerful engine, with TONS of "race" potential. It is not, however, among the more efficient designs out there. It CAN be made to get great mileage, but power suffers drastically. That little 283 is working it's tail off trying to move that big ol' car.

400 Pontiac, on the other hand, makes most of its' power at low RPM. This makes it ideal for a "street" motor, especially in relatively heavy cars. With the proper combination of cam, intake, exhaust, ignition and carb, I've built them to make 350 honest horsepower, and deliver 22 MPG in a 3,700 lb. car, fully capable of mid-13 second 1/4 mile times. That rivals the modern computer-managed V8s. And as for longevity, a 400 Pontiac that never revs past 4,800 RPM will last virtually forever.

In contrast, the big block, while also capable of TONS of power OR good economy, lacks a good set of heads to "do both". Oval ports make good low-speed power but can't carry the revs and make good high-end. Rectangular ports are useless for driving, and don't even start making power until past 3,000 RPM. I HAVE done some nice 396s that made good power and reasonable fuel efficiency. Again, the BBC drawback comes into play, the sheer mass and weight.

We've all heard and read many times, for a street car (especially a heavy one), run as big an engine as is reasonably possible. With fuel the way it is today, I recommend staying at or around the 400 CID range. The 454, 455, etc., make more power, but they use a LOT more fuel to do it.

Jim

[luxeryvic]

ok i get it now, thanx

[silicon212]

MrPbody - you meant Karbon not Silicon ... just pointing that out

[MrPbody]

Well, FINE...! (:-

Jim

[KarbonXIII]

lol, I was wondering haha.

[KarbonXIII]

I was wondering if anyone can tell me anything about this 2 speed I have in it. Is it a powerglide? all I know about those is that my buddy had one and he absolutely loved it. Untill the caprice got pegged.

[silicon212]

Originally Posted by KarbonXIII

I was wondering if anyone can tell me anything about this 2 speed I have in it. Is it a powerglide? all I know about those is that my buddy had one and he absolutely loved it. Untill the caprice got pegged.

A 2-speed Chevy transmission is indeed a Powerglide.

[KarbonXIII]

so keep it your'e saying? lol