Ok just intro'd myself tonight and thought I would get my first post out there as well, been searching around and found some good info already on the topic, but did not help get me over the line on my decision It is time to pump some new life into the impala as the original build 283 (with 56k miles) is starting to get tired and smokey. I traded my next door neighbor who is a 60's truck nut a LT1 fi/****** for his small block BDS 671 blower that has been sitting on his shelf for a while waiting for new life...got the full setup and what a great guy he is for making a trade like that, and I finally got something out of that LT1 I want a street-able power increase, I drive the impala on road trips and such, so I want power in real road/street scenerios, not so much for drag but something in the middle is ok as well So my pondering is should I keep to the original 283 with a rebuild keeping the compression around stock (she is 8.5 from the factory) so that I can keep the boost up This path would involve Rebuild the 283, add my Blower Drive Service blower kit and plan to run it somewhere in the 8-10lbs of boost steel cranks, steel rods with heavy duty bolts, low compression pistons (8.5-9.1) with stainless steel rings, fuelie (double hump) heads or other recommended, hydraulic cams (from BDS) with roller rockers, trying to figure out (with help of BDS or you guys) which carbs work best on the dual quad intake and which ignition system to run I like the period correct path, just thinking that since I am doing all of this should go with a 327 or more likely a 350 with similar build except the heads Would consider different heads on the 283 build, but not wanting to go the vortec/305 path I dont think I am going to use SOCal small block headers, with dual flowmaster 2.5 pipes and flowmaster 40's, and keep the current 3spd manual (got all this already) Thoughts on the build up...
you had me up to the "keep the 3 speed manual" can you say grenade? I've put a lot of miles on the mild blown 454 in my 55, you can build it to last a long time and give great performance, although mileage is not so great. A 6-71 is kinda big for a 283, I suggest going with a 350, with steel crank, forged pistons, fixed up stock rods would be ok (or whatever you can buy for the same price). "low" compression is usually around 8:1, I'm running 7.5 which is a tad too low. but I can run 87 octane and make 700+ hp, so I guess it's not all bad. Select a cam to match the car's drivetrain and your intended RPM use. I'd suggest a hydraulic roller, just because it's a pain to make a flat tappet cam live. No need for a special "blower" cam, for a street engine, just get a nice street grind, look for one with kind of large LSA like 112-114 With a 6-71 on a 350 you'll probably need a pair of 600 cfm carbs, I like holleys, you could probably make Edelbrocks work. you want a good ignition system, maybe something from MSD? You'll want decent flowing heads, I would not shy away from some mildly ported "fuelly" heads just to keep the old time look going. There are better performing heads for low $ but they look like late model heads. If all goes well with the engine, you'll need a stronger transmission, and you'll grenade the rearend too. And have driveshaft problems.
Thanks squirrel Was worried about the ******, got any thoughts on a 4spd setup and rear...have a 12bolt that I was thinking about, or should I go with a 9" ? I follow you on the 350, I really wanted to keep the original 283, but you and the voices in my head were heading me down the 350 path thanks
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