Thread: Getting HP/Torque from my 283

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I have the original 283 from my 64 Malibu that I am trying to get down the track faster. The block is original, no boring done, yet. After reading several articles and posts, I decided that I needed to upgrade the came and put a pair of heads on. Here's my problem:

I had stock everything, except for a single-plane alluminum intake with a Holley 600, and an HEI system. I ran with a 4:11 posi behind a 350 auto. Life was good.

Then I bought a set of "High Velocity" heads, 58cc, 1.94s. I also replaced the stock cam with a new .447/.447, new lifters, push rods, etc. I also went with a dual-plane intake with a Quadrajet on top, from advice taken from my brother-in-law. The result - I lost .5 sec in the 1/8 mile.

Please explain!

Disclaimer: I will not replace my 283 with a 350, 383, or anything else. The point here is to run what I own and make it as fast as it can go. That, to me, is the fun of racing. Besides, I bought this car when I was 13 for $175. That was 20 years ago. I'm not about to change the motor.

A few questions. Are you running the stock torque converter in the T350? What RPM does it flash to when you leave the line? What is the duration of the camshaft, and what RPM range is it designed to run in? What if anything has been done to the Quadrajet? Are you running headers, if so what size and length tubing?

How does the car feel from the seat of your pants? Where did it lose the performance? Launch? Mid-Range? Top-end?

What reasoning did you use as you chose the components that you changed?

Pat

i would say that it is the qaudrajet or sould i say the qaudrajunk that messed you up i would go back with the 600 holly

I think I found my problem. The cam that I used was a Melling 22200, which has an adv. duration of 290, and lob seperation of 110/118. I don't know much about cams, but I think that this would create a suitable rpm range of much higher than I would want. I believe that lost all my low-end from this cam. My intent when replacing the heads, cam, intake and carb was to get a little more hp by increasing compression, valve size, etc. However, I really screwed up with the cam. I got the cam brand new for next to nothing, looked at the lift, and threw it in.

So, I learned a little. Now, I'm planning to take the motor out, have it bored, put a 327 crank in it, new rods, pistons, etc., and make a 313 stroker. This time I will do all my research and know exactly what I'm doing before it goes together.

P.S. - the quadraJET stays!

Now your talkin'! I was concerned that the cam was aimed towrd high RPM. As you plan your new motor, talk with the manufacturersof the components you are considering. Most important thing is to be completely honest about planned use of the vehicle, existing components and vehicle weight. That way they can make good recommendations.

Good luck and keep us posted.

Pat

Thanks. I'm learning a lot about hot roddin' and having tons of fun! I bought this car (1964 Malibu) when I was 13 (I'm now 33) out of a shelter belt in eastern South Dakota. Four flat tires, grass growing over the hood, sitting there for three years after the old man died. My dad and I went over there with a can of gas and a battery and fired it up. We then went to the old ladies son and offered to buy the car. $175 later it was mine.

That was twenty years ago and the block has not been touched. You can see the desire for me to keep the old 283. I'm finding out the the joys of roddin' is not a game of "who's got the most money," which is sadly the state of today's drag strip or rod run. To me, it's much more fulfilling to take what you have and make it run as fast and strong as you can. Maybe I won't beat the boys with the big bucks, but I gaurantee that I'm having more fun!

I'll be sure to post the progress of this project. Thanks!

I like my 283 as well, my Q-jet too. I have'nt done alot of motor work, but I'd like to try something like machine work and a bigger crank. Has anyone used Patriot's "fat fender" street rod headers? Any success?

how radical are you willing to go on your 283????????????

LOL am i now to be considered the "283 affianado"

Originally posted by techinspector1
Attaboy scooter, lay it on 'em

i think i know that cam L-79 327-350 hp it sucks gASS/is old school and will not work without at least 11to1 compression you need dome pistons or you should probably take it back to the guy who sold it to you and beat him with it so hard his mama feels it ./q jets are ok ,holleys are finniky and carters rule/ single planes work

I'd make some calls and let the pros at the cam companies recommend a cam for your combo and use. Also did you see in R&C where they dyno'd that stock 283? With a 600 Holley it would only suck 475cfm at peak power. Your heads are better but I feel the Q-Jet is still too big Go back to the 600 and a cam recommended for your combo.

Also R&C pulled 290 lbs-ft of torque out of that stock 283 with just the 600 and a Pertronix ignition for mods.

The best running 283 I ever had was a Duntov 097 cam, mildly ported and bowl blended Power Pack heads with stock 1.72 intakes, a cast iron 327/300 intake with a 625 E series AFB and old style Headman Hedders with a Vette dual point and Mallory coil. This one in my '56 Bel Air ran better that the 283s I have with Corvette dual quads.

To answer your question..yes, 283s are addictive. You can embarrass a lot of bigger engines with them.

Tom

The key is to match the parts with what you have to work with . All to often people want to use too much cam for the motor they have,also they think bigger is better when they are talking carburators.Your motor may be faster if you know where a half mile track is ,but you're talking 1/8th mile. You took all the bottom end power out of your motor.Bigger valves,bigger cam , bigger carb.Want to slow it down even more,put large tube headers and bigger exaust on it. That should cost you a couple more tenths.Sounds like Im trying to give You a hard time , I'm not ! You Can have a real good running 283,something you'l really be pleased with. Call Comp Cams Help line1-800 -9990853.Tell them what you have,what you want to do with it and see what they reccomend.Good Luck!

You're right, I thought about that as I was responding.

We're having a nice visit though.