Thread: 283 build help!

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Hey everyone. I'm a bit new to this and I could use some advice on my 283 build. Right now I have a '78 impala with a 283block and a pair of 327 heads, edelbrock performer intake, edelbrock 650cfm 4bbl. I'm trying to get a lil get up and go in it while trying to achieve some gas mileage. Working in a budget as well. I could use some help on the set up and I was wondering what you guys have done in the past. Thanks!

Welcome Patrick! That's quite a collection of..... um.... parts you got there! A 78 wouldn't have used an 283, a heavy car like the impala was in 78, didn't that one have a 350? I don't think the 283 will have the torque from off idle like the 350 would've. Do you know what it has for a camshaft?

There's a lot of guys here that know the chebbies better than I, they'll be along with more info / questions / answers.. Again, Welcome Aboard!

Thanks! And yes you're right the original motor was a 305 for my model. But when I bought the car it had a bunch of thrown together stuff. I need someone who's had experience and can give me some advice. Thanks

Well, my experience says if you're wanting more "get up & go" plus better gas mileage in a big car, going with a smaller motor won't get it done! I think I'd be watching the local want ads / classifieds or even Craigslist, and find a 350. Heck , I see'um all the time for less than 500 and they're running and driving still.

My two cents..

And before you spend your money on a used engine that you're going to have to rebuild, do yourself a favor and shop the deals on 350 crate engines. These shops buy parts in bulk at prices you can't come near, and they apply a markup to the overall engine as opposed to marking up all the pieces & parts, and then adding in a healthy labor charge. It's likely you can buy a complete crate engine cheaper than you can build one yourself, and many of the reputable places offer a warranty that is almost like a new car. Now if you can pick up a late model, low mileage takeout engine that doesn't need anything that's another story.... And welcome to CHR, by the way.

Thanks guys. I'll be looking into some crate motors for sure and I appreciate the advice.

Patrick, take a look at this thread, where both Tech and Glenn posted info on the process of a new build and the costs - Freebie four bolt Follow the link in Glenn's post for a bunch of details on prices.

For a car of that vintage and size/weight, if you are wanting some GO along with some MiLEAGE which added together equals SMILAGE-----I would suggest an upgrade to a later EFI takeout of at least the mid 90s to present------if you do a 90s type LT or vortec all your exhaust and mounts plus trans will work but a later LS will need different mounts/exhaust, possibly will want to do an electronic control OD trans-------I would not recommend a crate engine as an answer to your stated get up go moleage---and if you do upgrade you can probably sell off the 283/327 stuff to collectors-----------

Can't disagree with anything Jerry said. I suggested the crate engine as an alternative to doing a rebuild yourself, but Jerry's suggestion of getting a power train takeout that's got EFI and overdrive is very good advice.

Thanks am I really appreciate the input. What would you suggest for a motor. And would updating to an efi system require sensors and a lot of electrical work also?

Here's a link to a Wiki writeup that gives you a wide range of vehicles that had the GenII LT series engines, which would be your easiest swap as Jerry pointed out - GM LT engine - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia . If you go with some of the newer LS series small blocks you will have to do some motor mount work to make things fit. If you buy a takeout package from a reputable salvage place you can get the engine & tranny complete as a package, and also the engine, body & chassis wiring harnesses with the ECU. All of the engine sensors will be in place. You'll likely have to send your ECU (computer) to one of the guys who clears the VIN links and all of the on-board security stuff, and some of them will strip out the un-needed wiring in the harness or sell you a new, much smaller harness for the package. If you do your homework and study some vehicle specific web sites you can make it pretty painless. If you buy a computer controlled engine & tranny from craigslist and don't get anything with it then the challenge level just went up exponentially....