I have a 92 RS with the 3.1, my buddy who once had an 88 IROC and did his own motor for it which pumped 350HP and 420 ft-lbs has an old 283 sitting around and being at college for CARS I've always wanted to do a project. Well we plan on building up this 283 and dropping it in the ol' 92 RS. He says its should be a sweet setup and the guy is my best friend so I'm not doubting him or nothin but I just want your thoughts on it.

 

nothing wrong with a project!! if it seems like it will work/fit go for it..

 

283's won't make as much power and will probably cost more to build than a 350... Just my input.

 

It'll be different.

Do it. Have fun. Ask questions. Learn.

AJ

 

A 283 is really an old engine, for which most current performance parts aren't really intended. Not that they won't work, you'll just have to be careful to keep things matched properly.

First, know that 283's weren't made past 1967. In 1968, Chevy added threaded holes to the end of the heads for accessary mounting. If this 283 has original heads, those holes will be missing and mounting your accessaries will be a special challenge.

Also, with the small bore and displacement, head choice (if going with something other than factory) should be approached carefully. The engine won't need 2.02 valves, and the typical large chambers of later heads will kill compression. A good solution to this and the accessory mounting problems is to go with World Products S/R Torquer 305 heads - 58cc chamber for proper compression, 1.94"/1.50" valves for proper flow. With minor bowl clean-up, they're great performance heads for small-bore SBCs like 283/305/307s.

In order to get decent power out of the engine, you'll need to wind it up, like to 5500-6000 RPMs. That will require a cam that will likely kill low-end torque, so have a higher-stalling torque converter, and go with 3.42 or so gears.

I hope you know the standard V6 to V8 swap requirements (transmission, engine mounts, supporting equipment, induction, etc.).