Rebuilding a 283 chevy, not trying to get too crazy, just a little something, its going in a 52 chevy sedan. have to go about .040 over on the block so, for pistons im going with KB Silv-O-Lite found them for $115 from summit, i don't think im going to be able to beat that price, unless someone else has another suggestion. Price is the biggest factor at this point. the big realization that im having is that i dont know what the hell im buying when it comes to cylinder head stuff. i've rebuild lots of stock heads at the dealership iused to work for, but never had to start from scratch trying to build performance stuff. i've got a bare set of 291 double hump heads, so i need valves, springs, locks, retainers and rocker arms. i never knew there were so many options in valve springs, etc. can someone please reccomend some specs on this stuff. i.e. valve spring inside dia. installed height, etc. or do they make a comeplete kit for this kind of thing? thanks! Also, i think im going with these valves: http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?part=MAN%2D10077-8&FROM=MG and http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?part=MAN-10476-8&FROM=MG with this cam: http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?part=SUM-K1103&FROM=MG I'll probably run about a 2000-2500 converter ina TH350 behind this motor with a 3.08 rear. Am I in the right ball park or am I way off?
With a cast piston and that cam I don't think you want to go that big on the cam. A 283 is a real turd with that big of a cam unless you run a 4:10 or lower gear . You have to ask yourself what are you going to do with the motor just a driver or a bad *** thumper? You can twist a 283 out to the sky but those Sil-O-Lites are going to be in the bottom of the pan....If you're lucky, if unlucky out the botom of the block. The 291 heads will also have to have hardened seats at least on the exhaust. Most machine shops that will be doing the work can steer you in the direction you want to go , find one that can show you past examples of his work and the results of the build> Good luck
Make sure you check valve to piston clearance, but I honestly think you'll be just fine. It's pretty mild stuff. As far as the heads go, you can put them back together with similar to stock pieces and they'll be fine. Or check on some of the fully ***embled heads, like vortech heads or whatever, and you may be in the same ballpark with buying a brand new head - depending on how much work the heads you have need. Call summit or comp cams, tell them your combo and they will make sure you get the right stuff. Honestly, I don't think you'd have a problem with that cam/stahl/gear combo. It may like a 3000 stahl and a 3.55 gear better, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. The pistons are junk - but as long as you don't lean on the thing, have a decent tune and don't spray it - you'll be fine. That cam has nice duration for what it is - probably sound pretty good in that little 283. It may not run that great as far as performance is concerned, but you'll figure out the sweet spot with tuning and driving it.
thanks for the input, the heads are done as far as machine work goes. so i guess those pistons arent so great? any other suggestions for pistons? and are roller tip rockers really worth the extra $$ ? thanks again guys!
this was also another cam i was considering... http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?part=LUN%2D20109&FROM=MG
OK - so you want this thing to thump and aren't so concerned about how it runs? Check small base circle cams too. There are limits in certain cl***es on lift and some guys run crazy duration on low lift, tight lobe separation cams. Sounds great. Match it with a 40 series 2 chamber flowmaster and 2 1/2+ exhaust and you'll be rockin. You need to make sure you get the right springs, etc. for the heads to match the cam you choose. Check summits listing on there nockoff brand cam/lifter packages also - I believe they're around $100 with lifters. Make sure you break that cam in right too. Now if you are concerned with a good combination - I would rethink the heads. And then re-build the combo from there. Speedpro makes a decent piston. Roller rockers are worth the money if you need them. Your combo is pretty mild - roller tip rockers would probably be fine.
I'm actually not very concerned about it being lumpy, i guess i just made some poor choices in the cam, i did that once before and regretted it very much, thats why i came to you guys this time! Should i go with different heads? I was under the impression that the 291s were pretty good heads.
Oh. Well 230 degrees duration at .050 in a 283 is definitely going to be lumpy! And you will sacrifice a certain amount of ease of driveability. Maybe you should be looking at cams in the teen range or lower on duration and similar lift numbers. Those heads are fine for a cruiser. What is your primary purpose with the car? What you are looking for performance-wise?
Forget Summit. They are pretty good on some things, but internal engine parts from them are typically high. Check these guys : www.compe***ionproducts.com This is where I buy all my engine parts. I build about 5 engines a year. I can probably help steer you in the right direction. PM me with your performance goals and budget.
nothing wild, just a little power when i want to get on it. i've never been good at chosing a cam because i guess i dont really understand what all of the numbers mean, i know what the lobe separation and valve lift are, but duration, etc. im at a loss. anyway, i know that anything is going to be much better than the worn out 235 thats already in it. i know that the 283 was rated at 195HP stock with the 2bbl and 1.72/1.50 valves and 70cc? heads
Your itzy-bitzy valves and poor flowing heads will limit your cam. A very mild cam will perform better than a more aggressive cam with those heads. Something in the range of .460" lift and 218 degrees duration should work good. Just buy some $20 Z28 valve springs. Don`t waste your money on roller rockers --- you do not need them on this engine.
alright i think i finally found a cam with don's guidance, it is a summit cam, but it matches what you had suggested, here's the link: http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?part=SUM%2DK1103&FROM=MG thoughts?
For good prices, try PAW, Performance Automotive Warehouse. Just make sure to ask for name-brand stuff, if quality matters to you, or you may get imports. http://www.pawinc.com/
i checked PAW and called for some quotes and they seemed a little higher than the other places that i've checked. one hamber just sent me a link to www.northernautoparts.com and you can't beat their engine kit deals, so im probably going to go with that. thanks for all the input though!
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