914 V8 Guys or SBC gurus, Need help on a 283 SBC build Options

[nine14cats]

Hi folks,

Working on my 914 V8 dreams...made an offer on a car that will give me the vehicle, have the kit selected, now onto the motor.

I have spoken with several shops concerning the 350 V8. Lots of options to choose from. I also have access to a fellow 914Club members 283 V8. I like the thought of a 3 inch stroke motor.

When calling around local machine shops (SF Bay Area) not as many 283 gurus as I would have thought. The older guys are dead and the younger guys only know 350's.

I would like opinions of what components to use on my motor if I go 283. I want:

1. Reliability
2. A quick rev machine
3. Off the shelf components (as in manifolds, heads, carbs.)

The car will be carbed. Alum heads. I have headers. HEI disty.

It will run a Renegade or Desert Hybrids kit. It will have heat and A/C.

The purpose of this car will be:

1. California Cruisin
2. No Track time
3. No Autocross

For tranny it will run a tall gear 901 fully rebuilt.

I am looking for at least 283HP (1 HP per cube) but torque no greater than 300 ft/lbs to make the tranny last as long as possible.

A revver would be fine with Alumininum heads, roller rockers or cams. I am intriqued by the Rod Simpson camshalfts that use the Miller high static compression ratio.

But I want you folks to chime in with recommended combos including part numbers if possible.

And any good machine shops in the SF bay area that specialize in hot rod SBC's would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for your help!

Bill P.

[Allan]

Scott Kline would be a good one to talk to. He has a 283 in his Chalon.

[Mueller]

QUOTE

And any good machine shops in the SF bay area that specialize in hot rod SBC's would be greatly appreciated

Amaral's Engine Parts & Mach
45405 Industrial Pl # 1, Fremont, CA 94538
Phone: (510) 656-9351

He did the machine work and cleaning/inspecting of the SBC I sold to 'Chung

A no BS type shop, won't try to sell you stuff you don't need

[neo914-6]

Not sure if he does 283's but Renegade uses Wild Bills Automotive Machining (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/laugh.gif)
805-379-3200
805-857-4001
Thousand Oaks, CA

Ed, Propricer (club id) advertises his services to build V8 914's and exclusively recommends 283's. He has access to the Ultima shop in Morgan Hill.

I am yanking out my 283 for a 350 this weekend so it could be a great base engine for you. It was rebuilt ~20 years ago but has seen <1000 miles maybe even 500 miles. It was "heat cycled" because of the cooling problem but ran ok after Brad and group installed the Renegade rad. I just got a smokin deal on this built 350.

[Brad Roberts]

QUOTE

and exclusively recommends 283's

.. ha ha because he has never ridden in a 914 with a 427CI small block... LOL sorry.. couldnt resist.

Bill,

Is a Audi V8 out of the question ? stock they turn 7k RPM.

I have several places close by that build some serious engines.

Rod Simpsons cam setup works VERY VERY well with a good set of AirFlow Research heads. It does what he says it does.


B

[Trekkor]

Bill, you can pick up a good used Corvette 350 at "All GM Recyclers" in Rancho Cordova for $750 with a 6 month warranty. You pick the car.

Did this a few years back when I put one in my boat.

KT

[Brad Roberts]

We can build a 454CI small block for 15k..LOL

Bill,

You might consider a 327. They are still rev happy and have the short stroke/big bore combo that will keep the torque numbers down. I honestly dont think you would be happy with the 283. The power to engine weight isnt favorable. The 283 weighs the same as a 383..give or take a few lbs on the crank and a few ounces per piston.


B

[Mueller]

QUOTE (trekkor @ Apr 15 2005, 07:42 PM)

Bill, you can pick up a good used Corvette 350 at "All GM Recyclers" in Rancho Cordova for $750 with a 6 month warranty. You pick the car. Did this a few years back when I put one in my boat. KT

too much torque for what he wants to do (if there is such a thing, hahahha)

[86motoman]

Have you considered getting the "new" small block chevy? They make a 4.8 engine which you would be happy with. You can get them cheap on ebay($1000-1500. Lots of guys on ls1 forums will help you get the wiring figured out. They have all the new technology like engine management, alum heads with 90's tech. flow... They got rid of the firing order problem, which gives more mpg's and a flatter torque curve perfect for the street; they still are small and rev like the old 283 but is better all around. If you want to go bigger they have a 5.3, the 5.7 (LS1), and the 6.0. It would rev, get you way better mileage and have a flat torque curve. Basically that whole vortec line is the same as the ls1 with a different stroke/bore with an iron block. In fact a lot of guys are using the 4.8 heads on the ls1. I am going this route if I can't afford the ls1.
4.8 = Horsepower: 285 hp @ 5600 rpm , Torque: 295 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm http://www.gminsidenews.com/e_guide.htm


Chevy also made a block that was 1" shorter. I am not positive, but I think it was the lt1.?? That might help with the conversion pieces. Maybe some of the other 914 teeners know.

You can get an aluminum headed 283, but by the time you are finished with it you will have more money into it then you could have had with a 4.8 or 5.3 and still not have the technology for mileage and such.

If you want to stick to the older gen you may also consider a 302 or 327.

[86motoman]

Here: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAP...ssPageName=WDVW

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAP...ssPageName=WDVW

If you decide to go this route, these guys will help with the engine management: www.ls1.com and www.ls1tech.com. I think you will also need a wiring harness and pcm and other crap. The trick is to get a computer that hasn't been reprogrammed or if it has set back to stock settings before shipped.

[neo914-6]

QUOTE (Brad Roberts @ Apr 15 2005, 06:35 PM)

QUOTE and exclusively recommends 283's .. ha ha because he has never ridden in a 914 with a 427CI small block... LOL sorry.. couldnt resist. Bill, Is a Audi V8 out of the question ? stock they turn 7k RPM. B

Have you? I got Harry's 350 engine when he bought a 427sbc. I haven't got a ride yet, his car with the 350 was scary fast. He gunning for his cousin's Bauer built 914 V8 (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/ohmy.gif)

BTW, I bid on a wrecked Cayenne with a V8 4.5 TT. Glad I lost, when I found out later it's an Audi V8 with new valve covers. (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/laugh.gif) No dis to the Audi, just that you pay alot more for the Porsche mods AND the turbos...

[neo914-6]

QUOTE (nine14cats @ Apr 15 2005, 04:57 PM)

For tranny it will run a tall gear 901 fully rebuilt. Bill P.

Whatcha gonna do with your 930 tranny? (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/rolleyes.gif) I got a tall geared rebuilt tranny for trade, see "tranny" link below...

[skline]

Well, I guess I will throw my 2 cents in even though Brad has said it isnt worth its weight. I went with a 283 bored 30 over, 55cc chamber heads with 11.1 compression pistons, a RSH2 camshaft, roller rockers, edelbrock performer manifold, edelbrock 600 electric choke carb and short block hugger headers. It revs very quick. Rod Simpson says it will get about 30 MPG and put out about 330HP. Those figures have not been verified as of yet. I have not got to drive it much as other things need to get done first. I also have to work out some issues with the accelerator linkage. I cant give it even half throttle. I am happy with it so far. Even at half throttle it gets along very well.

[Type 4 Unleashed]

Hey Bill, here are some short stroke, large bore, motors, that twist RPM's all day long, I have one on my WISH LIST, but that is where it will have to stay. But I do have 302 out of a 69 Z28 Camaro. And thats for my V8 conversion when I find the right car.
You have the right idea small cubic inch, the 302 was rated 290 hp, the hipo 327 rated at 375 hp, and thats all factory, you take aftermarket aluminum heads, manifold, cam, put them on that 327, you could push 400 horses easy. (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/happy11.gif)

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAP...ssPageName=WDVW

[nine14cats]

Thanks Folks!

Keep it coming!

B,

Which Simpson cam did you use? RSH1 or RSH2? Was it a 327?

Thanks,

Bill P.

[J P Stein]

The 301 is a reving fool.....3 inch stroke, 4 inch bore.
We were turning one up to 9K back in the 60s. ....had "some"
push rod problems, tho.(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif) Launched the thing at 7k....6.17 gears....back when wrinkle walls were new tech (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/laugh.gif)

Ole Smokey said he could get a Cheby iron block within 40 lbs of the alloy block (lotta work with a bigassed die grinder) and make mo power. I haven't been keeping up with that kind stuff, but I hear that fiinding good 283 blocks are getting hard to come by. A 327 block is good. IIRC, .06 over is 305....331 with the long stroke crank.

Personally, I'd buy a crate motor from GM....unless you want another project.

[messix]

new here. hello eveyone.
a few things to consider, 283 old iron blocks are heavy for the c.i. and alloy heads from chevy are expensive new, rebuilds + cores = even more. most aftermarket heads and gm heads valves will be shrouded by the very small bore. this is why 283,307 and 305 ci are not a very good choice. the new 4.8 , 5.3 5.7 and 6.0 are lighter better power, rev like crazy. longevity,and are far more efficient. and edlebrock makes a new carb intake with ignition system.
a little background about me. i'm one of those old guy's (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/dry.gif) . I grew up in GM shops and wrenched on sbc too much there in my dreams [in pieces]. i have built or helped build race engines for drags circle track and mild street to wild street. family life has curbed the hot rodding. daily drives a chev 1ton trail jeep [heep] for off road fun. and looking for 914 for new daily and fun. you can blame root_werks for finding you.

[J P Stein]

Damnit, root....just what this joint needs, another old fart hanging around (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif) ...prolly can't remember his name....since he
didn't tell us....or is mesix really it?

Welcome anyhow...I guess (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/wink.gif)

[MecGen]

Hello mesix - welcome.
I have also jumped the fence, from V8 world.
My friends fell over when they found out I bought a aircooled 4 cyl.
Maybe I'm wrong, or its a personal thing, but, IMHO, a high reving sbc, is an uncomfortable street ride in a 914. A mild, smooth idling, quiet, SBC is a really good choice.
If you still want the other route, check with the big outlets like Sumit, they sell tested combinations. The SBC needs to be matched to really work.
As JPS said, both 283 I ran (69 Chevelle) the pushrods jumped above 6500 rpm, second time went through the valve cover, with high RPM valve train, doing a 7000rpm smoke show (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/aktion035.gif)
In my shop now is a 76 Chev Blazer, 383 stroker, aluminum heads, last year dynoed @ 463hp, ticket to prove. Pretty impressive idle, for this hp.
Have fun with it
Regards
Joe

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/beerchug.gif)

[Joe Bob]

BTW....I have a H Gear trans with an LSD sitting here....it didn't sell with the V8 car....