Using what I have; what carb and cam would you use for a good street 283?

I have a 283 with 1.72/1.50 heads, the Biscayne has 3.55:1 rear gear ratio. Trans choices are the PG that came with the engine or a T5 out of an S10. I’m not looking for anything more than 250 hp out of the 283. I have an Edelbrock C3B split manifold with a notch in it from Edelbrock, two choices with carbs: Holley 1850 and Edelbrock 1406. I’d like to maximize the efficiency of what I have and since the primaries in a four barrel are (or can be) smaller than those in a stock 2 bbl, I want to be able to dial in the best combination of carb and cam using the pieces that I have.

The variable in all of this is the camshaft kit. What camshaft kit would be best for this application? How I jet the carb would depend upon what the best combination of modern hydraulic cam grind and valve springs used. If the stock springs can be used, more is the better. I plan on buying a matched cam, lifter, and spring set (if required). Should I fiddle with the rocker arm ratio or leave well enough alone?

 

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Cams have come a long way since I put the Comp Cams 268 extreme in my 406 small block, so I'm not sure, but, that cam sure fires up that otherwise stock block.
I think the 1406 is too big for that motor and you should look at the 500cfm Edelbrock. I'm not sure of the model # and they're about $50 more that the 1406 w/electric choke.
Good Luck, sounds like a fun project.

 

Edelbrock 1406, given the 2 choices. T5. Cam advertised duration mid 260's, not over 270, lift mid 460's. With this cam you can use "Z-28" Springs they are reasonable and readily available. Lots of available budget cams in that range. Check northern auto parts, I've used their "house brand" cams at least 20 times, they are usually made by elgin. Proper break in is a must, if you want to be safe, break in on worn out stock springs then switch them in the car, some specialty tools are required to do so

 

I just built a mild 283 for my wife's 34 Pickup. It's certainly not state of the art but we are pretty happy with the way it runs.

On recommendations I found here, I went with the Edelbrock Performer Plus cam (#2102) which is 204/214 degrees at .050, lift is .420" / .442" and it has 112° lobe separation. Valve springs are stock and compression is around 8.5:1

I used a 500 cfm Carter AFB on an old Weiand WCVSQ dual plane and 2" rams horns with duals.

 

Use a mild rv types cam, or a comp Thumper series. It seems like you want drive-ability and reliability and an occasional burn out when leaing a show.

I would not go over 220 duration at any point. Valves open that long cost power. As far as Valve springs go. Use a set that achieves 110 at the seat. Forget the novelty names that are used.

There are so many options. My personal choice is always Comp. Call the tech dept.... What tranny you choose makes a difference.

Carb? Holley 390

 

Duntov 3030!

 

consider one of the smaller 4x4 torque cams from comp. if you spend the majority of your time at low rpm, why bother with anything else? esp with the OD

 

What kind a horses leash out of a stock 283 on a good day???

 

That didnt take long... I'm so glad I'm flying outta here tomorrow!!!

 

Because you always want to leave the driveway at 3,000 rpm.

 

About 240 Hp



Cam is down abut 5 hp low to a smaller cam but up about 10 after 3000



That 283 wants more split than most people grind.

 

Your old Edelbrock C3B intake was made specifically made for use with the old Holley THREE barrel carbs; that's what the "split" is for, to make room for the long, third barrel, throttle blade. I'm in your spot also with what cam to use; I have FOUR on hand to pic from. Most folks will tell you to limit your duration at .050 to 214 or so. Unless you're working with a higher stall converter, almost any performance cam is just not going to work with a Powerglide trans. Manual trans for sure, maybe even one of the 3.11 or 3.50 first gear ratio Saginaw 4-speeds with your 3.55 rear end gears. Butch/56sedandelivery.

 

i used a 350hp/327 cam in my 283, L88

 

x2 Comp X-treme Energy 4x4 cam

 

Sounds like a good call, I added headers to the engine file.

I ran the Comp x4250h and x4254h and the latter looked better

 

That is the carb I had on my 390 powered Galaxie and it ran like a champ. Maybe I can sell what I have and get one.

 

Wow, hoop, that is a really interesting program you have there.

The C3B is a dual plane though and I'm on the fence about headers or ram's horns.

 

oops my mistake sec, and it is a simulation, pretty good but not perfect


And for Voodoo fans the 250/256 Lunati

 

How would this stack up? http://www.summitracing.com/parts/hrs-cl110041-12/overview/make/chevrolet

 

That one makes less power under 4500, more over. I think it's about 1000 RPM higher powerband and crosses the .470 lift area.

 

Crower has this series for producing Torque,Does it? http://www.crower.com/index.php/cam...let-hydraulic-flat-tappet-cam-lifter-kit.html

 

Here's what we're using in the 283 in pop's '29 A-Coupe. It's got an Offy three deuce intake and '66 Poncho tri-power carbs. Some people think it'll be over carbed with the big 2-Jets. We'll see.

http://www.compcams.com/Company/CC/cam-specs/Details.aspx?csid=224&sb=2

 

The XS262S is a "Solid" performer. good lowend and hangs in longer. Be prepared for springs and cut/machined guides, probably screw-in studs. Strong CAm though we get into Cam Creep every time. We just add a touch more and a touch more so it takes discipline. Ask yourself, where will I spend 90 per cent of my time?

 

I used a RV cam in my 55 f100 with a 305.....it ran good for about 4,000 rpm...then it fell flat on its face....got about 18 mpg on a good day.

On my 51 ford sedan with 305, I used a stock 327-300 cam and my speed increased as did the rpm as did the fuel mileage....24 mpg running 70 mph with NO overdrive but a 2.79 rear end.

So...

In my 49 fleetline I am working on and started for the 1st time after I buillt the 283 engine last sunday, you can bet I put in another 327-300 cam( Sealed Power 274), this time with overdrive and 3.42 gear...heads are Z-28 601 heads and my typical rebuilt quadrajet.

Just google 274 or 1274 cam and see what others say about it....it is super smooth and no lope...you could hardly tell the 51 ford was running by looking at it other than it had a great sound.

 

Thanks for the simulations, hoop98.

Is there any chance you could throw the Performer plus (#2102) cam into it as well so I can see where is sits with the others?

The specs are in post #5.

 

Since it is common for builders of 283's and 307's to swap to the 305 H.O. heads to take advantage of hardened valve seats and slightly larger valves how would that affect some of these charts?

 

I second that----

 

I added some of the cams you requested, I played around and added the XE262 retarded 4 degrees also,

 

And I put 461 heads on the XE262