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283 Build vs 327

12K views 8 replies 7 participants last post by  cobalt327 
#1 ·
Okay so while deployed in Iraq I had a "Friend" and professional engine builder build me what I thought was a 327 for my 67 Camaro resto project. My friend builds engines for the NASCAR K&N Pro series east. The engine stayed wrapped and stored for about 2 years, after investing 4K in the engine build I decided to drop it in and start the process.
In the military its not easy to drag a resto project all around the US while you get it together, so the project start time was crucial.
Here are the general specs- Street demon 750 manual carb, torque intake, Dart II custom heads, Super comp 1 7/8 headers, Hydro cam, and roller rockers.
I have less than 300 miles on the engine, a junk turbo 400, 290ish rear, and have not passed the rpms over 4300. The engine seem extremely strong, My "friend" told me the "327" can handle 8500-9000 rpms and will push 500+hp.
This week I looked up the cast numbers just to see what year it was and was shocked to find the 283 cast number. I am dropping in a T56 tranny and 411 posi at the end of the month. I am concerned that the thing is not going to perform to my expectation or will grenade. Has anyone built a 283 that pushes 500HP is it possible?
I have read all the opinion post on the site so no need to tell me to build a 350. I want to hear from guys that have a 283 /327 pushing 500hp+ or subject matter experts on this type of build. I am calling my "Friend" this week end that live 1000+ miles from me to discuss and get a copy of the build sheet so any advice would be greatly appreciated!
 
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#2 ·
A hydraulic cam anxd a 500hp 283 don't mix. A 283 could make 500hp but the hydraulic lifters won't endure the rpm the 283 needs to make that power. However a 327 could get it done by about 6500 rpm, which is where the hydraulic cams start giving out. A torker intake isn't a good choice for an intake though, which would leave me skeptical.

A 327 or 283 making 500hp will have a very rough idle though, and forget power brakes or low rpm drivability.
 
#4 ·
Can you post the casting numbers? If your heads were fitted with 2.02/1.6 valves; I highly doubt your friend built you a 283. Also, a 283 usually needs 5-600cfm; so a 780 would probably behave badly.

Thanks for your service, post any casting numbers or part numbers used inside the motor for the rebuild.

Even a 327 would struggle to make '500hp' with conventional off-the-shelf parts
1970s 331ci (overbored 327) Pro Stock engines struggled to make 600hp and thats with a few days in porting, cutting, welding heads and 13:1 compression or more.
Theres no reason you cant put a T56 behind a 283; what are your goals for the car.
 
#5 ·
AutoGear said:
Can you post the casting numbers? If your heads were fitted with 2.02/1.6 valves; I highly doubt your friend built you a 283. Also, a 283 usually needs 5-600cfm; so a 780 would probably behave badly.

Thanks for your service, post any casting numbers or part numbers used inside the motor for the rebuild.

Even a 327 would struggle to make '500hp' with conventional off-the-shelf parts
1970s 331ci (overbored 327) Pro Stock engines struggled to make 600hp and thats with a few days in porting, cutting, welding heads and 13:1 compression or more.
Theres no reason you cant put a T56 behind a 283; what are your goals for the car.
One of the advantages we have today is that a 210cc set of heads can be bought off ebay for $600 and in 10 minutes... I'm not saying they equate to a 500hp 327 but that todays "off the shelf" parts are lightyears ahead of the best racing stuff of 40 years ago. I mean people are running .600"+ lift on the street to 7500 rpm with parts from a summit catalog. Manufacturing has completely changed the game for auto enthusiasts.
 
#6 ·
I'm surprised no one said anything about this yet. The 283 and 327 Shared the same casting number on two occasions:
3790721 - 1964 1965 283 - Chevy II recessed oil filter boss
3790721 - 1966 327 - Chevy II recessed oil filter boss

3789817 - 1962 1964 283
3789817 - 1962 1967 327
 
#9 ·
There's every possibility the block was originally a 283 and it was taken out to 4" and has a SJ 327 crank fitted. Building a "301" SBC was the thing to do before 4" bore blocks and factory cranks larger than 3" stroke became a dime a dozen (late '60s, early '70s). The success rate for getting clean (no inclusions) 4" bores out of a 283 wasn't great- but it was good enough that it was done tens of thousands of times through the years.

For s&g, look to see if there's still a suffix code on the passenger front of the block. If the block was milled it will be missing but if it's there, it'll tell you what the original application was. The date code might also be used along w/the other info to help pin it down.
 
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