ibad57

Im building a 283 chevy for custom trike and need all the feed back I can get on useing Tune port set up. I have kit after kit with new injectors not sure if they are 305 or 350 injectors Block is 67 model 283 the heads I have are stock 882 heads from 350 I think. Wanted alumnum heads but cost verses the weight I would save didnt justify
I would like to know of anyone who has built this combonation and what problems I may face
My goal is to make engine look and run great and keep it on reg fuel as It get driven a lot. A link to this project is below

Grim Reaper

TPI will be a nice match with a 283 as TPI will augment torque - something a 283 lacks. However, due to your lightweight, torque isn't nearly so critical. Also, your top end will be limited with TPI, though the small displacement will flow more air at the top end than a 305 or 350.

Alternatively, you may wish to consider the Holley Stealth Ram. Yes TPI has the "cool factor" for looks, but the HSR looks pretty good as well. But, it will take advantage of that 283s ability to rev. Though a 283 is smaller and will rev a little more than 305 (with TPI), it still won't rev much past 5,200 rpm (and make power). A HSR will allow that 283 to rev way higher. Personally, there are few things that sound sweeter than a 283 reving past 7,000 rpms.

Regardless of iHSR or TPI, there are a few things you do need to consider (and they are applicable for both intakes in most cases).

) Most TPIs used centerbolt heads with 70* bolts. You can elongate the hole in the manifold so they will bolt up properly. (HSR's manifold supports both, or you can go with an aftermarket base manifold for the TPI which will support both...but you can modify the base manifold of the stock TPI...so it's not a big deal).

2) You will need all the electronics including the O2 sensor + the ECM. Lack of "cats" and a short exhaust may affect the O2's readings and make for "fun tuning".

3) You need to decide if you prefer MAF or SD. SD permits a "clean intake" with an aftermarket air cleaner that bolts right onto the Throttle Body. You probably want this with a trike but SD will require tuning to make it run optimally on a 283. MAF will require a sensor in the front of the Throttle Body, and thus you won't have as clean of an intake. But it should be easier to implement as a stock MAF 305 setup should work just fine, if the you use 19# injectors.

If you go MAF, look at the 1989 305 MAF with the appropriate tranny. You will need to disable the Cold Start Injector (if your TPI is an older system). Also, do consider learning how to tune your own eprom. Even though you probably can bolt the 1989 305 MAF eprom without any tuning (provided the injectors are the right size), ANY setup will benefit from a properly tuned eprom.

There are probably a dozen other little things you need to consider, such as whether you want to use electric fans, EGR, Air Divertor, CCP, and how these will impact the programming. But I don't want to overload you with information at this time, but this should give you some idea to start.

As an old motorcycle enthusiast, I wish you the best of luck on your project. It marries a few of favorite passions; bikes, SBCs & EFI.

PS: Did you look at the Corvette's L98 aluminum heads? They are reasonably priced, offer good flow (and can be ported to provide excellent flow) and easy to mill if you need to bump up the compression a little.

1989GTATransAm

iTrader: (3)

I think the TPI system will be a good match for your 283. It should give you good torque and good breathing up into the 5000RPM range. It might be one heck of a combination.

Orr89RocZ

iTrader: (20)

ppl have been saying they feel the torque loss on L98s when goin to the HSR. i love that intake tho but for a 283, i think it would make too much topend power and lose way too much lowend.

i think a cheap set of SLP runners and a ported base will allow that 283 to rev and make power to 5500. should make great bottom end too. that be a nice combination

Grim Reaper

Of course, cam selection is always key to making any combo work. I suspect the primary reason for the TPI intake is because it's such a sexy looking intake, especially when it's all polished up.

I know an engine builder that has done a lot of engines, and TPI is a favorite with "rodders" for that specific reasons (appearance). They are not into "strip terrors" but "the ooh and aah" factor at the shows.

However, the HSR is starting to get a lot more attention too, especially when it is all chromed out. I'm more partial to the HSR for performance, but I cannot deny the looks of the TPI.

The only caveat with the TPI, it will be a "wheelie" machine if that trike has any traction. An HSR's drop in bottom end torque may just cure that problem while taking advantage of the 283s desire to rev (especially with a nice solid cam).

jmiller

I converted my 67' Camaro over to TPI in 1999. I installed it on the original 327 which was in very good condition. It ran fine, but nothing like my stock IROC L98. I finally put a 350 ZZ4 crate motor in the car 6 months later and what a difference.
Here is what I think will be the downfall with the 283, 302, and 327. These motors were designed to turn high rpms with very little bottom end due to the bore and stroke combination. Very short stroke leads to very quick high rpms but no bottom end. The old style cams were designed with that in mind, you can change the cam, but you can't change the bore/stroke combination.

85DropTopTA

very interesting idea. I doubt the TPI will choke the 283 like a 350. a 283 @ 5000 RPM wont pull nearly as much air as a 350 @ 5000 RPM.

But who care's I think the TPI intake will definatly look sweet on a trike

MikeH

iTrader: (10)

I had a 67 impala with a 283, one thing it did lack was torque! I think a TPI would be an awesome idea as well.

If your gonna run 882s on that 283, you may need more then a flattop piston, to keep the compression up. Most are 76cc..

scuzz

I had been thinking about a 283 with a set of ported 305 heads and TPI myself. A good combo for an old S10.
The head change would give a bit more compression and would already be unleaded capable.
And the 283 would be great on gas with the TPI setup, as well as helping out the torque.

Rob Wade

Bad combination....the 283 is an rpm motor. Your TPI intake is made for low end torque. Just about the time your 283 is going to start working, your intake is going to run out of *****. I'm with JMiller. If you want the 283 use an intake that is geared to its strengths.....which low rpm torque is not one of them. Any good engine builder will tell you, its all about the combination. This is not a good one.

Grim Reaper

Bore & stroke alone does not make a high revving engine. The shorter stroke means it is easier to build an engine that will survive high rpms due to the lower piston speed (when compared to a long stroke combo like a 305). You also need a cam that matches - something the poster is going to need to consider.

When people think of the high revving 283 of yesterday, they forget those enignes also had a solid cam designed for high rpms (with no bottom end) like Duntov's famous 30/30 cam. Put in a mild hydraulic roller cam similar to an L98, and you completely change the charateristics of the engine and can dramatically increase the bottom end torque (at the cost for the top-end).

I suspect the poster is using a 283 because he has a good running 283 lying around. Yes a 305 (which people throw away like a baby's soiled diaper) would accent the torque better, but it isn't necessary. It's just like you can make a 305 rev like hell if you put the right cam (and valve train as well).

Lastly, remember this engine is going into a lightweight "trike", not a car. A Yamaha V-Max doesn't make anywhere near the torque of a 283 V8. But becuase of it's "relative" light weight (to a car), it screams and has tons of torque in the entire powerband.

ibad57

The Trike has a 267 that was rebuilt 2 years ago stock but 30 over bore I was just looking to rebuild the 283 as it would be closer to what 57 chevys had. Im not looking for a real screamer as this would make my horns go up and throttle go down leading to mistreating my show trike. Makeing the best choice on weather to use the 283 or the already rebuilt 267 is based on driveability fuel econ. naturally some low end tork.

Grim Reaper

Pity you couldn't find an original Rochester FI system used in 1957, "gut it" & convert it to use the modern day electronics. Then you would look "period correct". Of course, I can already hear some collector screaming N-O-O-O-O!!!

I've always thought the HSR's "square box" plenum looks reminisant of the original Rochester "dog house" FI system (though it is vastly different of course).

So is the reason you are looking at TPI because you already have an intake or because you like the looks of it and it's cheap & easy to find?

ibad57

Im back and ready for the install remimber its only 2600 lb its a show bike and I like the looks of TPI but not looking to hurt performance. The carb on it now is a half moon 2 barrel that bougs top end. I think by adding headers and flowmasters i only opened the outlet and it needs more incoming air. Also i feel this would help mileage im seldom over a hundred as its a trike and my life depends on the front tire.

ibad57

I could use some wright ups on this combo if anyone has any
im not looking for wild but mild combos using the 283 and TPI

cuisinartvette

283s got no torque so you have to spin them, putting TPI on yours would be perfect, it would feel good. Sounds like fun to me! With the light weight youll be able to have plenty of fun no matter what.

Orr89RocZ

iTrader: (20)

I would kinda copy an L98 build with a similar 305-350 spec'd cam as it will peak at a higher rpm in a 283 vs a 305 or 350.

I think it will be a good match for TPI, even if you have an aftermarket intake setup, as that will outflow the heads and feed the majority of what that 283 will ever need to 6K rpm.

I dont think you need to do much here. Keep the cam simple and use a 305 based tune. MAF if you can as its easier to tune than Speed density but either setup will work fine.