Hey,

I'm new to this message board.  I have a '66 c-10 with a stock 283 that was rebuilt a few years ago.  I have added an edelbrock 600 cfm carb mated with an edelbrock intake.  I also have gone to an electric fan and installed headers.  I am building the truck to be a mean street truck that will dominate burnout competitions. 

What is the best way to go with my motor without blowing it up ? 

A small Nitrous kit, a small blower, or Stroking it???

If I did stroke it, what size crank would I use and what compression ratio would I be running?  What other modifications would be necessary to build a reliable stroker engine.

Thanks for the advise,

James

If you really want to dominate burnout competitions, then you'll need something that will put out a bunch more torque than a 283.  It's a lot easier for a large cube engine to scream for extended periods of time smokin' the hides. 

It's easy to stroke a 283.  Simply drop in a small-journal 327 crank (3.25" stroke).  You'll end up with a 307.  Not a bad motor if you're limited with funds.  Compression ratio is dependent on a bunch of things (e.g.; head chamber size, piston dome/dish, gasket thickness, deck height, etc.).  Heck, you could even grind down a 350 crank and end up with 328 cubes. 

But, by the time you do all the necessary stuff to stroke a 283, you may be able to build a boneyard 350 for nearly the same $$.  Also, with the small bore of the 283 you're limited to small-valve heads.  Dollar for dollar, a 350 will chew up and spit out a 283 or 307. 

Well,

I am only 16 and won't be getting into any serious competitions, just local ones with a lotta rice burners.  I am not looking to put more than $1000 into my engine.  Are there other ways besides stroking to make my 283 a respectable and relaible engine?  Would a 142 blower be a mistake to buy (I would look for a used one) ?  

As far as burn outs go, I was pretty happy power braking it with my rear brakes........ when I buy a line lock soon I think it will easily smoke any of the crappy hondas around here.

Thanks,

James

If you did all the work yourself, Stroking it would not be that expensive, in fact all you would really need to buy is a different crank. But in my eyes the cool thing to do would definitely be the blower! Good luck

Let's be real, $1000 isn't going to stretch very far.  Of course, you hear about guys building 500hp sbc with $2,000.  But, that's probably starting with a 350 core, having ready access to some low buck parts and perhaps a buddy working down at the machine shop.

With limited $$, then consider this:  If your 283 mill is running well and in decent condition then consider a small shot of nitrous.  If you watch your timing and ensure you've got enough fuel going in, then you could probably get by safely with a 75-100hp shot of juice.  Total cost probably below $600.  Dollar for dollar, nitrous is the cheapest form of hp.

* Just don't use nitrous for extended burnout contests.

Has anyone used The Edelbrock Performer Nitrous kit that is adjustable from 50, 75, or 100?  Is this a good kit?????  I would use the 50 hp setting and jet my edelbrock carb with a richer needle and maybe add a higher flow fuel pump.  What would I have to do to my timing?  Would having a tank of Nitrous in the cab of my truck be a very dangerous idea?  How much does Nitrous cost??? ( I don't know where to get refills.  

Thanks,

James

PS:  What would be a good max RPM to limit myself to with my 283 if I did run Nitrous?

Nitrous kits from Edelbrock, NOS and NitrousWorks are all excellent products.

If you go with nitrous, there's a couple of mandatory steps to ensure you don't fry your engine:

1.  Ensure you have an ample fuel pump capable of delivery the necessary volume and pressure.

2.  Depending upon the amount of spray you're using, you may need to retard the ignition timing.  You also need a good ignition system which can deliver adequate spark under the added combustion pressure.

If you limit the giggle juice to 50hp... your stock fuel pump and everyday timing are probably fine.  You could probably safely spray the engine (50hp) without any adjustments.

Yes, you could install the bottle/tank in the cab.  Just make sure it's well secured and vented properly with a blow-off valve.

To ensure that you cover all of your bases, I'd suggest that you discuss your particular application with the nitrous company's tech line prior to installation and use.

Lastly, nitrous can be like a drug.  Some guys get a taste of it and want more and more.  It's a wonderful power adder... if used properly.  

Hate to see a classic old 66 get ripped apart just to show off to a bunch of import squids. Why not set the truck aside for a complete restoration as you get older and acquire more skill and money.

Then buy some piece or *** or Euro crap, bolt a turbo and nitrous on it, go out and melt tires till you pass through this stage of life. When it finally blows up, you can wad it up like yesterdays aluminum sandwich wrap and throw it away, where it belongs.

Then you can go back to the pickup and cherry it out with Ram Jet 454, T-56, 12 bolt posi, a choice set of wheels and tires, layer if in some cool paint. Kick back and enjoy the fruit of your labor and smoke the occasional Beemer and Lexus just to keep those snooty folks in their place.

Bogie

     Hey bowtie, I thought I would let ya' in on a little secret. Anyone who says that nitrous is cheap HP is smoking something, cause they don't tell you that you have to re-fill up the bottle when it's empty and that can get prety expensive$$$$ in the long-run! You're better off starting with small mods. Here are a few.

1. Tornade fuel saver- can give you 10 extra horsepower

2. K&N air filter- can give you 10-11 horsepower more

3. A set of March pullies- up to 15 extra dyno proven horsepower

4. A 160 degree thermostat- can give you 15+ hp. and keep your egine runing at a cooler 160 degrees so there will be less of the chance for overheating and thus blowing your engine.  

     These are just a few, and for costing a grand total of less than 500 Big ones, you won't need to waste em' on nitrous. Besides, nitrous can explode if the lines and valves are not properly sealed. Just watch professional drag races enough and you'll see what I mean. Now as for blowers. They are nice to have, but everyone should know that they can be expensive, high maintenance items, just like nitrous or turbos. So way the price differences between the parts I listed and the price to buy and maintian a blower or nitrous kit and add up the horsepower and see what you get. I believe that the parts I've listed is definately the best way to go for you right now and when you save up enough money and gain more driving and engine experience then you could go for the blower. If this helps you please reply.

Cheap bolt-on horsepower.  Gotta love it!  My favorite was a toss up between #1 and #4. 

However, you forgot to mention the extra horsepower gains by replacing the muffler bearings and battery gaskets. 

    I guess I never took the time to realize that changing the battery gaskets could give ya' more power, but I guess that's like some people often choose to ignore the fact that certain engine, fuel, and tranny. additives can restore lost power and perforance just as if it were a brand new vehicle by keeping those vital parts as clean as possible. That is why I have used Z-Max twice now in the past 12000 miles and will continue to do so for as long as it is available. Also I had been filling up with just 91 octane until the end of last year when I started adding The Outlaw Power Shot Octane Booster with every tank, and I am pleased to say that I have noticed an increase in power, performance, and milage. So therefore I have no coplaints on either of these products, and would recommend them to anyone looking to help prolong the life of their vehicle. Cool thought huh JCharlieM? 

Here's one more thought...  if you changed your battery gaskets, you might be able to forgo the octane booster and save some $$ in the long run.    

   Hey JCharlieM, I was wonderin' if you or anyone out there knows if there is any possible way to make some room under the hood of my 1996 S-10 SS by replacing the box type filter with an old school style pan filter??? If so can ya' please help? I have also posted a discussion on this subject. Thanks.

      Hey JCharlieM, I thought I would ask 'ya a silly question. What do you mean by battery gaskets???? Are you refering to those little felt gaskets you can buy that fit on your battery posts???? If so, then how do you achieve extra power by doing that???? I'm kinda new at this stuff. Thanks.