Thread: 283 experts...

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OK I have a 66 Chevy 283 engine. Last owner added Edelbrock Performance Plus Cam with Duration 278/ 288, Lift .420/ .442.
EdelBrock Performer RPM Cylinder heads - Aluminum, 70cc Chamber, 170cc Intake, roller rockers,
MSD 6200 ignition control, Edelbrock Performer dual plane intake manifold, and
Edelbrock Performer Carb @ 600cfm.

I have adjusted the timing several times
between 6-10 degrees advance. The thing runs fine but has no real punch on the low end. I couldn't smoke the tires unless I popped the clutch at 4000
rpm.

Short of replacing this with a 350 (yes I have budget constraints), got any ideas on getting a better response on the low end?

Do you think the static compression is too low on this thing?

Stroke gives you the torque you neen to "smoke the tires". You just can't get much torque out of the shorter stroke 283. My 283 will not spin the tires either and thats ok with me.

Originally Posted by itsa64

I have adjusted the timing several times
between 6-10 degrees advance. The thing runs fine but has no real punch on the low end. I couldn't smoke the tires unless I popped the clutch at 4000
rpm.

And who are you trying to impress? While you're smoking the tires the other guy is heading to the finish line.

yeah, who wants to spin off the line. Tire size matters too, my 26.4" tall tire with a 3.55 gear will not spin, but when I simulated a 4.11 gear by putting 23" tall tires it spun out of the hole like crazy. So if you want to spin, put a shorter tire.
Isn't the timing a little closer to 0 deg on a 283, thought I remembered seing that although I didn't set mine with a light. It's not that modified so I just get it hot and turn the dist till the motor turns over slow, then turn it back just enough to get it to crank.

what kind of pistons? does it have? btw u arent running straight pipes are u?

4.11 gears do the trick for mine... I put 10 wide tires to eliminate most all of the spin and it is a bit more punchy on the low end. Much better off the line. It winds up pretty tight on the highway at about 70 mph though...