engine opinion plezzzz - ZR-1 Net Registry Forums

Corbusa · 03-10-2015

Hey guys , its been a long time since I really turned wrenches on any engines , its funny how I used to live for it, building automatic trans and working on heavy equipment kinda burnt me out . But then I got the ZR and its kind of stated the flame again. But my question is ( not corvette) but I bought a beautiful 84 short bed silverado , totally rust free , Nice paint etc , the trans was leaking out of the front seal (350 turbo) so I built a 7000R with alto 5+ clutch packs and corvette servo , hydraulic lock up etc .. I'm putting a 12 bolt rear in it with a 3:42 gear but trying to decide about the engine .. I have a 283 on the shelf as well as a 350 and a 400... I think if I can find a used 144 charger cheap enough I may put it on ( I also want to keep the air working) but want mileage and HP. Whats your opinion ? 238? 350 with 400 crank , 400 with 350 crank ? I'm really leaning to just using the 283 with a charger . It will be a lil while on the engine build , other projects going too and a HUGE work load building homes .. But just wanted someone elses opinion..

Franke · 03-10-2015

Wow its been awhile since I played with those engines. The 283 had possibilities in that there were 2 years of them that had a dished bottom and can take a small journal 327 Crank. With a set of 307 flat top pistons you end up with a hipo 307. All of that is stock stuff. That 283 block was a heavy weight casting and could be bored to.120 with out losing strength.
The 350 has loads of potential for a build without breaking the bank. Just look at Summit, Jegs etc. You can find almost any combo you want.
The 400 I believe might have siamesed bores so you need to be careful on which heads you use as you can blow up the radiator as my friend found out in his 57 Chevy. Seems the 400 has steam ports in the block which need to match up with the same in the heads. The 400 has some potential but I don't know if it is as much as the good ole 350. I think the stock 400 cranks were nodular iron too but not 100% sure. Maybe some others here can chime in.

hiperf406 · 03-11-2015

How about a 327 with a 283 crank aka "302" & install the charger to boot. I think that would be a hoot !!

Corbusa · 03-12-2015

yea the 327 deal would be sweet , but all i have is a 283 , unless I can find an old 327 block , ..plenty still around ?

FU · 03-12-2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by hiperf406

How about a 327 with a 283 crank aka "302" & install the charger to boot. I think that would be a hoot !!

Oh yea !

XfireZ51 · 03-12-2015

Love the 302.

03-10-2015	#1
Corbusa Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: TN Posts: 581	engine opinion plezzzz Hey guys , its been a long time since I really turned wrenches on any engines , its funny how I used to live for it, building automatic trans and working on heavy equipment kinda burnt me out . But then I got the ZR and its kind of stated the flame again. But my question is ( not corvette) but I bought a beautiful 84 short bed silverado , totally rust free , Nice paint etc , the trans was leaking out of the front seal (350 turbo) so I built a 7000R with alto 5+ clutch packs and corvette servo , hydraulic lock up etc .. I'm putting a 12 bolt rear in it with a 3:42 gear but trying to decide about the engine .. I have a 283 on the shelf as well as a 350 and a 400... I think if I can find a used 144 charger cheap enough I may put it on ( I also want to keep the air working) but want mileage and HP. Whats your opinion ? 238? 350 with 400 crank , 400 with 350 crank ? I'm really leaning to just using the 283 with a charger . It will be a lil while on the engine build , other projects going too and a HUGE work load building homes .. But just wanted someone elses opinion.. Last edited by Corbusa; 03-10-2015 at 05:47 PM.

03-10-2015	#2
Franke Join Date: May 2013 Location: Beaver, PA Posts: 516	Re: engine opinion plezzzz Wow its been awhile since I played with those engines. The 283 had possibilities in that there were 2 years of them that had a dished bottom and can take a small journal 327 Crank. With a set of 307 flat top pistons you end up with a hipo 307. All of that is stock stuff. That 283 block was a heavy weight casting and could be bored to.120 with out losing strength. The 350 has loads of potential for a build without breaking the bank. Just look at Summit, Jegs etc. You can find almost any combo you want. The 400 I believe might have siamesed bores so you need to be careful on which heads you use as you can blow up the radiator as my friend found out in his 57 Chevy. Seems the 400 has steam ports in the block which need to match up with the same in the heads. The 400 has some potential but I don't know if it is as much as the good ole 350. I think the stock 400 cranks were nodular iron too but not 100% sure. Maybe some others here can chime in. Last edited by Franke; 03-10-2015 at 07:56 PM.

03-11-2015	#3
hiperf406 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Spruce Grove Oilberta/In Mex for winter Posts: 1,046	Re: engine opinion plezzzz How about a 327 with a 283 crank aka "302" & install the charger to boot. I think that would be a hoot !! __________________ lorne # 1748 Stock except for a modified Corsa exhaust. When the flag drops the bull sh1t stops!

03-12-2015	#4
Corbusa Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: TN Posts: 581	Re: engine opinion plezzzz yea the 327 deal would be sweet , but all i have is a 283 , unless I can find an old 327 block , ..plenty still around ?

03-12-2015	#6
XfireZ51 Join Date: May 2007 Location: Chicagoland, IL Posts: 9,673	Re: engine opinion plezzzz Love the 302. __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]Former Membership Chairman Former ZR-1 Registry - BOD 1972 Corvette 4speed base Coupe SOLD long time ago 1984 Corvette Z-51/4+3 SOLD 1992 Corvette ZR-1 Aqua/Gray #474 SOLD 1992 Corvette ZR-1 Black Rose/Cognac #458 2014 Honda VFR Interceptor DX