I have a 283 out of a 1967 Chevelle and was wondering is it would work in my 1985 TA. It has been bored .060 and a few other mods (cam, pistons, etc...) added. Anyway all I need to know is if the heads will need to be changed or if they will mount to the stock TPI. Thanks for any info on this.

 

It will work, But Why ?

 

Putting a tpi on a 283 will really limit your powerband to below 4500 or 5500ish on a modified tpi unit. A strongly built 283 will scream in the high RPM range while lacking low rpm torque, so why kill your potential with the tuned port as opposed to a carb?

 

Do the cylinder heads have the threaded holes for the accessory mounts on the front? You better check that before assembly.

The 305 heads might have a slightly smaller chamber and the valve seats would be hardened for use with unleaded fuel, so you may want to go this way.

Personally I think your 292 could work really well with those tiny TPI runners. The larger bore (compared to the 305) would unshroud the valves and allow for better breathing.

You can likely kiss a lot of your off-idle power goodbye, by giving up stroke and increasing bore you will definitely feel the torque peak move up by perhaps 1500 RPM, maybe more. I wouldn't go this way with an automatic behind it.

I'm running a 292 w/Edelbrock Perf RPM heads, Performer w/4 bbl, Comp 268H cam and T5. It doesn't make real torque until about 3500 RPM and it continues up to somewhere beyond 7000! Of course this is with big valve heads and a 'hot' cam considering the stroke. Your TPI induction and a short duration camshaft would be much more streetable.

You don't know until you try, but the small runners of the TPI intake won't look that small to a 3" stroke engine compared to the 3 1/2" stroke 305/350. Chances are it will rev until... the rev limiter in the ECM I guess!