Im getting a FREE 283 from a guy i know. Its complete and just been sitting in the back of a van. I was wondering if 283 can make good numbers? Plan on getting heads, cam and intake on it. Was hoping to get atleast 400 horsepower, is that possible? I see they make superchargers for them too so that will be alil bit more power. Im either gonna put this in my camaro or in an s10.

Possible?
Yes.

Worth it?
Spend the money to make 400 HP out of a 283, make 525 with a 350.

Answer to your next question:
So what if it's "different"? Nobody else will care.

I dont care if its different, im getting it for free lol.

I see what your saying. Ive just never rebuilt a motor before, so i might as well use this free one to learn on, and then go buy a 350 for like $500.

If you're going to do that, just make sure you only buy parts that you can later use on a 350. That means heads, intake, cam, etc..

Don't put any money into pistons, rods, crank and block machining. If you can't run your 283 hard without machine work, then you should pass. If you just buy rings, bearings and gaskets then you are money ahead.

Free isn't free when you have to pay the machine shop!

I think you should sell the 283 to someone who is restoring an old Chev and then buy yourself a 350 or 400 block to start with. That's just an opinion, not a put down on what you're doing...

I wont have to pay a machine shop. My college can do all the machining for free.

Lay out in front of you, all the costs of building a motor.

The "core", the worn-out pile of castings that you're going to "rebuild", is the cheapest part of the whole project.

Think about head work, buying a cam, pistons, gaskets, fluids, carb, intake, all the things on the outside of it like the water pump and hoses and belts and so on, your time, the fact that the car has to be down for some length of time to make the swap, etc. etc. etc.

I would be willing to bet money that you won't be able to get your car DRIVING (not running - DRIVING) with that 283 in it, for less than $2000. Even if you get the machine work for free at school.

A 350 core costs $50.

Now:

Is that "free" 283, which most likely won't bolt into your car and work because the heads don't have accessory bolt holes in them (that's the usual reason those old motors aren't in cars, and you get them for "free".... it's not that they don't make power, it's thatyou can't install them in cars made after about 1969) REALLY worth not spending $50 on a core to avoid all those problems, and get right straight directly to what you want in the first place?

Would you spend $2000 and countless aggravation to get 280 HP, if for THE SAME money within pennies and LESS aggravation, you could have 350 HP?

The 283 is probably not a good idea.

This was posted in the newest CHP.

"Free parts are most often the most expensive"

Meaning, the time and money put into making a free part work with your car is often more expensive and less performing than the correct part.

never thought of the accessory bolt holes. So i guess the 283 is horrible idea unless im restoring an old vette or something. Where can i get a 350 core, for $50?

you said eather your S10 or camaro? i say rebuild it. and throw it in the S10 and get a 350 and throw that one in the camaro.

or, you could buy a fourth gen with an lt1 and 6 speed, like mine, and just go beat jessys mustang

Yeah, thats why we hang out at THIRDgen.org. Cause we all want to own lt1 fourth gens.

Hahaha yeah i could..lol

go for it, have some fun with it. see what it takes to blow it up when your done.
nothing ventured nothing gained.
the history of the small block chevy demands it.

A 283 would best go to someone who needs it for restoration. Sell it, to a resto-guy take the $$ and geta 350...

283 is a good engine first GM engine to reach 1 Hp per cubic inch. I built one for a little S-10. STRONG top end. But no out of the hole. Putting in in a 3500-4000 stall dropped its time by .6 in the 1/8. If you could find some more parts, you could stroke it and build a GM 302

That makes about as much sense as "drive it like you stole it".

There really isn't much left to discuss here. One of the worst justifications for trying to fit an engine into your car is, "Because it was free."

Does having fun wile your learning have to make sence?
loosenup.

It isn't about fun, there are people who need numbers matching blocks for their restorations, 350s are still plentiful, 283's are not. It would make alot more sense to get that engine to someone who needs it, make enough $$$ to upgrade to a 350, it's a no-brainer...

What's fun or educational about "see what it takes to blow it up"? Unless you really, really like riding your bicycle.
I'm plenty loose. However, I tighten up pretty quickly when in the presence of inexcusable juvenility.

Gonna have to agree w/ five7. It's not about wasting a perfectly good engine, that's just stooopid!!!

i built a 283 for my first motor. Its still in my 55. I personally like them. when they are built, they can be screamin little motors. But i do agree with everyone above., if your goal is to build a high horsepower motor, start with a bigger displacement engine.

also you wont be able to use the heads b/c of acc holes like stated above. so your serpentine system wont work. If you dont have ac/ you could get away with a different set of brackets,and pullies.

all that said: its your car,and your money, do what you want to.

Just my 2 cents worth... Had an older 350 in garage. Buying headers (emission style for inspection) because the dipstick is on the wrong side to use manifolds, flywheel, intake (using computer controls), and fabricating brackets for accessories would cost way more than getting used later model 350 where everything worked off of the original motor. I still have older 350 in garage (fixing to go into 2nd gen) and a '90 truck 350 in Z28.

Do you know what the 283 came out of? What heads are on it?