Just a quick couple of questions as I can't find too much on this forum about the L83. As the title says, I am swapping my 305 (Carb'd LG4) with an L83. I know that the heads were very restrictive on the L83, but after scouring some other sites I've learned that it was more or less the intake manifold that was no good. Apparently the ports on the heads were restricted by the ports on the manifold. Seeming as how I'm putting a different manifold on her for a carb and not CFI, is it worth spending the extra dough for heads? Stock I hear the made approx. 200-225hp. I'd love to see myself around the 300 mark. I know I have to specify mileage vs. performance. I will be using this as a semi-daily driving type, but I'm more interested in performance than fuel. I do have costs in mind though but realise that the heads may still be the best way to crank out a few more horses. I need a new intake manifold and Carb anyways though, as I don't think the one from the 305 will cut the mustard. I was thinking edelbrock performer intake w/holley dp 600cfm. I do already have 1.6 RR's and a compcam 268-H from Summit as well. Any help would be greatly appreciated when it comes to the heads though, as I'm at a crossroads!

 

The 624 heads on the L83 are generally regarded as some of the worst ever made so virtually anything would be a improvement

FWIW ;The intake is what makes it a L83 engine .
Once the CFI intake is gone it is just another everyday plain jane SBC engine with xxx heads and yyy cam.

I think you would be happier with a vac sec carb or the Q-Jet

 

Awsome! thanks for the advice. I got a little worried there for a second. I am thinking of Patriot freedom heads and then take my time with choosing an intake/carb. I've heard nothing but good things about Q-Jet. Anything specific I should look for? So in a nutt shell, there is nothing specific to the block itself that makes it an L83? Just the CFI, and now that it's out I pretty much have the equivalent of a crate motor? Any difference in rods/pistons etc.?