Friend of mine is swapping a built 283 out of his nova for a built big block. I was curious if this motor would go into my Bird. Its an 85 with a 700r4. The motor that is in the Bird is the TPI 305. The 283 is coming off an auto trans as well so it will still have its flex plate. I would like to keep my qJet carb because the carb in the 283 doesn't have a choke. If I have read right the qjet also flows at 750 CFM is this correct? Is my cruise control built into my qjet? And I know the speedo is powered by pulses from the transmission, but what powers the tach? Am I going to have to set up some new engine mounts? What kinda power can the stock 700r4 and rear end in a bird take? And can anyone tell me the weight of a 283? vs a 350 and a 305?

 

Yes, the engine would physically bolt in. The mounts are the same, and for the most part, the engines are externally identical. The dipstick is on the driver side, so you'd need a pre-1980 oil pan. The starter might be different too, i forget exactly which engines had a staggered bolt pattern.

750CFM might be a little high for a q-jet, i would guess closer to 700. Cruise control is controlled via a vacuum servo on the driver side fenderwell, and a cable going to the carb.

The tach is "powered" by pulses from the ignition coil. The electronics inside it count the pulses, and move the gauge needle the corresponding amount.

There is really no set-in-stone power rating for the transmission or rear end. Most auto transmission failures are caused by overheating, so something as simple as adding an auxiliary transmission cooler can help. The rear end in these cars is known for being a weak link - however, on street tires it's usually more than sufficient. The reason being is that the tires will usually break loose and spin before the rear end breaks.

With all that said though, there really is no point to putting in a 283. If you're going to go to all the trouble of pulling the engine, you might as well put in a 350. Remember, there is no replacement for displacement.

 

The 283 is already built up, and I am pretty much getting it for free. I'm a college kid and rocking life on a budget. So its more of a convenience thing right now. The motor is putting out something like 300 horses. So its still twice my L03.

 

The 283 wont have holes in the heads to mount your accessories. More issues to buy a whole new front drive setup and get it to work with the 3rd gen (cost)

Why not sell the free 283 to a restoration guy and rock the LO3 until you get out of school? While not spectacular, the LO3 is not something to sneeze at from someone also in school

 

The weight of a 262, 265, 283, 305, 307, 327, 350, 383, 400 will basically be the same.

If the 283 has stock factory 283 heads, not only will it not have the accessory bolt holes on the end, it won't have hardened exhaust valves and seats for unleaded fuel.

Q-jets are capable of flowing about 750 CFM, but not all of them have the air valve set up so it will.

You might have starter mount difficulties with the 283 and TH700.

Power is a function of displacement, cam, heads, induction, and exhaust. All else being equal, a 283 will have less power than a 305. The slightly larger bore of the 283 won't be able to make up for the loss of displacement. Don't listen to the crap about a 283 being able to "spin to the moon".

Having had, built, and run 283's, 305's, 307's, 350's, and 400's, I have to say, don't bother replacing a 305 with a 283.

 

You are talking about swapping the 283 into a TPI car but are reffering to a carb? Are you converting to carb at the same time?

The "no replacement for displacement" theory hits a road block if TPI (or any factory intake for that matter) is thrown in the mix, if the motor is a quality build and has plenty of life in it then topping it with TPI in a 3rd gen could make for a verry fun car.

If it uses the original 283 heads then you might be better off with your own 305 pieces or a set of fresh small chamber heads from a rebuilder.

 

The 283 in question dynos at 320 HP and comes with a nitrous plate, we don't know what is done to the motor as it came with the nova. The nova runs 13 second 1/4 mile. The motor runs quite well in 92 octane, so I'm fairly sure the heads aren't stock. The motor has an MSD ignition as well.

LS Six -- I'm not converting to carb as both motors are already carb. The carb on the 283 doesn't have a choke and is set up to drag race. I was liking the idea of keeping my q-jet for economy and cruise control. And what did you mean my own 305 pieces? Are you saying my 305 heads will go on the 283?

Five7kid -- I don't have the knowledge to tear into a motor and building it up yet. the 305 would have to stay in its quite stock form for years to come. The 283 is already producing some satisfying numbers. For now at least :P

 

Yeah the 305 heads will fit the 283 no problem, by accesories he means any of the items run off the front of the motor... alternator powersteering AC etc.

On newer cars they bolt to holes tapped into the front of either head along with some near the ballancer on the block. Older motors like the 283 mounted them off the side of the block with an entirely different set of hardware.