305's are a bit more common engine, 283's are scarce... Some good aluminum heads sized and flowed correctly for the 283 would probably help a lot... As with any short stroke, high winder cam selection and a valve train that will stand up to high rpm's is essential for performance applications. I know, the old parts work, but that's just it, they're old parts..... Take advantage of the new technology and realize even more poential out of the mouse motors.... I like my Blue Oval 289's, too. It's just that I know I can produce more torque and have a much more streetable engine going with a long arm, long rod 408 and have better street manners then I would with a roller cammed, ultra lightweight everything 8500 RPM small cuber....

Old pickups are heavy, takes torque to move them...... 283's are probably more better suited for lightweight cars with 4 and 5 speed transmissions so you can keep the rev's up and stay in the power band.... Not a put down on small engines, just a fact.