283 small build need help

[GMC1965]

I have a 65 c10 with a 283 engine. I found out today it has powerpack heads on it. Its been bored out .30 over ( a couple months ago). It has a 2bl carb on there now and a single exhuast. I was wondering what might the HP be now? Is there anyway to look for HC pistons or aftermarket cams? My plan is to throw a elderbrock 500 cfm 4 bl carb, elderbrock intake manifold and a set of headers. With all this done, what would my HP look like? Would she work pretty decent?

[GMC1965]

Also, I plan on putting a summit 1103 cam in there sometime this summer. Would a cam like this add a decent amound of HP

Camshaft, Hydraulic Flat Tappet, Advertised Duration 272/282, Lift .442/.465, Chevy, Small Block, Each

Fair idle, low midrange torque/horsepower, works well in 327 and higher

[Captainfab]

It is impossible to give an accurate answer to your hHP question without more detailed info on how the engine was built. My quess would be it is what ever was stock for a 283 in a '65 truck. That info may be on your drivers side kick panel. A 4bbl carb, aluminum intake and headers might net you 20-30hp. That is assuming the headers include a free flowing dual exhaust. A HEI distributor will not only help with better power and easier starting, but I have seen a 1 mpg increase on a 327 by switching to a HEI. That cam is going to be decrease your low end torque when installed in a 283. IMO you would be better off with the Summit 1102 cam.

[crazy longhorn]

Factory rated that old powerpack combo @ 220 hp, with dual exhaust & a 4 brl carb. I have to agree with Captian fab.....you will do better with a smaller cam in that small cube engine/heavy truck I ran the cam you listed in a mild 355, & it ran like STINK! But, the old truck was running 4.10 gears, & a low 1st(3.50) ,on a car 4spd. The 500 cfm carb is a good choice....you might put it on the square bore (eps) manifold. You need a insulator gasket with that carb, to deal with fuel perk....& the edelbrock carb does not like over 5-5 1/2 psi on the fuel pressure. Set up properly, my guess is that you can make around 250 hp out of that combo. Have fun,,,,,,crazyl

[GMC1965]

Even with 1102 cam it would get around 250? How abouts should I go for 300. I may throw some HC pistons in there along with new rings. Would all this make a big diff in this little moter?

[GASoline71]

To get 300 out of a 283... you are gonna need a pretty high compression ratio, and have to spin it over to 6,000 RPM's to get there. 283's like RPM's... but in stock form... they don't like them for long. You'll need to strengthen up that bottom end.

Gary

[butch86]

Originally Posted by GMC1965

Even with 1102 cam it would get around 250? How abouts should I go for 300. I may throw some HC pistons in there along with new rings. Would all this make a big diff in this little moter?

the short answer is no

to get around the 300 mark you gonna have to up your game and budget. you looking 250 to 260 range max. what will make you the most difference is getting tourque. tour lil motor is a good lil reliable power plant but without power adders like nos or efi and turbos

you need a cam built for a 283. most off the shelf type cams are made for the 350.

your plan will help but only a little in all honesty. 20 to 25 hp

[Marv D]

1HP per cube is not going to happen without some better heads and some 'tricks' . The 283 'powerpack' heads on the "PL" engine code motors (283, 4spd) put out a whopping 210HP with the 4bbl carb. (CL's info says 220, mine says 210,, either is close enough for the point) Set up with the 2bbl and standard torque cam,, it made 195HP. They were both 9.5:1 compression motors. Trying to add 30% power,,, NOT gonna happen with a 'bolt on' minor mod. Sorry.

Don't get me wrong, the 283 is a fun little motor,, they love RPM's with a mild cam. But they can not beathe like the 4" bore motors, large valves hit the edge of the bore when you get lifts over .575 in most heads, and they simply are not the best platform to start trying top build big power numbers.

[GMC1965]

Oh Ok, so il stick with 250hp goal, Without tearing into engine ( I will replace cam tho) what rpm is safe to bring it up to? Without doing damage I mean. What should my average shift look like and my "racin" shift. Im guessing mebe 2800rpm for average and mebe 4500 when Im feelin it,

[GMC1965]

I see with the corvette 283 2 quad carbs made the engine go from 220HP to 245-270 on its own. Is this something I should look at?

[GASoline71]

To make power you'll be "race" shifting at 5,500 or higher... depending on your cam. The 283 was a popular "gasser" engine becasue it coud rev to the moon. The cats would bore them out to 301 and spin them up to almost 8,000 RPM's. But the engine block, bottom end and heads had extensive work done to them.

Maybe look at a 327 or a 350... You can badge it as a 283 and no one but you will ever know except for a keen eye. Then you can make 350hp no prob.

Gary

[Stanley0910]

Originally Posted by GASoline71

Maybe look at a 327 or a 350... You can badge it as a 283 and no one but you will ever know except for a keen eye. Then you can make 350hp no prob.

Gary

Hey, that's cheating............and I like it.

[Average Joe]

A good bang for the buck on smaller bore sbc's are 305HO 416 casting heads. They flow better than powerpacks and still retain a 58cc combustion chamber so your c/r doesnt suffer. Plus you can pick 'em up dirt cheap.