Hey, new here and to SB chevies. I just inherited a mint '57 Chevy 2dr hard top. Factory original PowerPac 283. I'd like to bump the power up a bit along with making it suitable for unleaded gas.

I do know the factory rated this engine with 9.5 compression and 56-61cc heads.

Questions:

1) I figure the small bore cannot handle a 2.02 valve. How about a 1.94 valve??

2) Should I just have exhaust seats put in the original heads or go with something else like a 461 head or 041 head?? I'm thinking just a clean up and seats on my 283 heads would be enough.

The factory rated this at 220hp and 300 lb/ft of torque. That seems optimistic at best. I do think that with a cam, intake, carb, and head work/swap I could equal that if not pass it up.

Thoughts????