more of a personal dilemma

rainman8874 · Posted: Sun Mar 29, 2009 7:33 pm Post subject: more of a personal dilemma

Ok......here's a question for all the 2nd gen fans in the house. Currently my 79 camaro has a 250 6 cyl. In it. I am in the process of building a SCREAMING 283 for it. However, when I look at production numbers on the car I found that of the nearly 235,000 of these cars made only 38,000 thousand or so were made with a six cyl. It makes me wonder if I am going to devalue the car drastically. Any thoughts?

lun40119 · Posted: Sun Mar 29, 2009 8:51 pm Post subject:

Just keep the engine and trans, and if you want to put it back you can..........problem solved Very Happy

af2 · Posted: Sun Mar 29, 2009 8:57 pm Post subject:

I can't wait to see that sales pitch!!! Laughing

You can have a 250" 6 (only 38,000 were made) or a time not correct 406 that halls the mail.

You said 283" sorry. I take that haul the mail back. Embarassed

Boy!! That should get Sourshop going!!! Laughing

Word for the wise: If you don't spin a 283" say 9000 rpm you will have a ???? Not going to make the ###

And I am screwin with you! Very Happy

clay · Posted: Sun Mar 29, 2009 9:20 pm Post subject:

Don't think there would be a big demand for an all original 6 cylinder Camaro. However, I've been wrong many times before, I agree with lun40119, there shouldn't be anything you have to modify to an extent it can't be easily reversed if you need to. Should be a pretty much bolt in engine swap. Frame mounts might have to be changed, but hopefully they bolt in. That's about the only thing I can think that might suck is if they're welded in. Clay

240Z8 · Posted: Sun Mar 29, 2009 9:51 pm Post subject:

If you like the 283 for nostalgic purposes, then go for it.
Its hard to brag about a nostalgic powerplant when the guy with a cheap-o stroker just cleaned your clock.
IMO The only value I can see in a 283 is in a collectable car that came with that powerplant originally.
If you want a fast car with a small block, then stay to the tried and true, easy to find parts, bigger cube, 377, 383, 406.
At least in today's market, I'd think a cloned V8 Camaro will be worth more than any original 6.

10sec.et · Posted: Mon Mar 30, 2009 12:00 am Post subject: Re: more of a personal dilemma

Big Dave · Posted: Mon Mar 30, 2009 12:49 pm Post subject:

I was assuming he was building a 383. The motor mounts are the same with the six and the V-8 you just have to move the location of were they bolt to the sub frame (all holes exist already).

There is next to not too much demand for a late model six (uni-head design) as you can not port it, or bolt on a spifft aftermarket four barrel carb manifold (log style intake manifold is cast into the head). If the short block is still running you might be able to sell it on e-Bay or Craigs List to a neighbor in need of one for their Nova or Camaro who also just happens own a pick-up truck, but odds are slight.

Big Dave

squeeezer · Posted: Mon Mar 30, 2009 2:12 pm Post subject:

v-6 car+v8 powerplant= still cheap insurance unibrow

clay · Posted: Mon Mar 30, 2009 8:05 pm Post subject:

MufflerBearings69 · Posted: Mon Mar 30, 2009 9:49 pm Post subject: Re: more of a personal dilemma

camrat68 · Posted: Mon Mar 30, 2009 10:32 pm Post subject:

True, the purists are annoying, but how many 250 L-6 or V-6 cars do you see at car shows. They don't survive very often. It's far easier to modify than maintain.

That's speaking of course as the owner of a '68 that originally came equipped with an L-6 250 that now sports a fuel injected 502. Do what makesyou happy and make the decision to "keep the value" or chop that puppy up. It all comes down to what you want to drive. Wink

af2 · Posted: Mon Mar 30, 2009 10:54 pm Post subject: Re: more of a personal dilemma

[quote="MufflerBearings69"]

Knarley Darley · Member Joined: 22 Apr 2004 Posts: 1247 540238.26 points

Pretty sure Clay is right about the mounts. You will need the V-8 motor mounts. The trans will bolt right up though.

Big Dave · Posted: Tue Mar 31, 2009 12:26 pm Post subject:

rainman8874 · Posted: Wed Apr 01, 2009 8:08 pm Post subject: update

Well........got the block back from the machine shop this weekend and have decided to go ahead and make the swap. Here is a breakdown on the new 283:

Flat tops (original with motor)
No bore
Decked though
Holley 650 dbl
Mid 70's Performer intake
Heads are from a 80's 305 (52 cc) casting numbers end in 601 in case you know why I chose them.
Mild cam (0 to 5000 rpm).
We figure somewhere in the neighborhood of 275 to 300 hp.

Wish me luck. I did however decide to keep the 250 in case there is a demand later on for that "numbers matching" audience.