'60 230hp upgrade
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!! I have a '60 with the base 230 HP. I'm wanting to do an upgrade on the engine. I'm wanting to get some low end torque with a nice lope on idle. I've purchased a 2x4 set up and have been talking around and asking questions about the right cam to achieve this. I've been told that the L79 cam in a 283 would achieve this. Has anyone had any experience with this combo or have any suggestions on how to achieve what I'm seeking? Any advice would be appreciated.
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Re: '60 230hp upgrade
Yes, the L-79 cam will generate some idle lope, and more so with the Duntov cam, but both will cost low end torque. A lopy idle and higher low end torque are mutually exclusive. The only way to increase the low end torque of your engine is to increase the CR or displacement. The 2x4 manifold will also cost some low end torque because of the short runners.
A small journal 327 crankshaft can be installed, but might require some block clearancing. A 350 crank will also work, but it will definitely require some block clearancing.
Contact me via the email function and I'll send you and article on how to turn a base cam 283 into a torque monster with more top end power than the '61 283/315 while appearing totally original.
Duke -
Re: '60 230hp upgrade
if you are not worried about originality put in a 383 crate engine from GM.Comment
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Re: '60 230hp upgrade
Those stock tires will not be much fun, having to drive less than 70 or so with a hopped up car, sounds like one thing will lead to another and before you know it, a resto-mod will be done!Big Tanks In the High Mountains of New MexicoComment
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Re: '60 230hp upgrade
Thanks guys! I really wanted to keep the original engine in the car. This winter I will be pulling the engine out to completly detail the engine compartment and repaint the engine and thought while I had it out I would bring it as close to the 270HP as I could and still be able to put it back original should I ever sell it. Thanks again for everyones comments and I hope everyone has a very Happy Thanksgiving.Comment
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Re: '60 230hp upgrade
[QUOTE=Duke Williams (22045);638346]Yes, the L-79 cam will generate some idle lope, and more so with the Duntov cam, but both will cost low end torque. A lopy idle and higher low end torque are mutually exclusive. The only way to increase the low end torque of your engine is to increase the CR or displacement. The 2x4 manifold will also cost some low end torque because of the short runners.
A small journal 327 crankshaft can be installed, but might require some block clearancing. A 350 crank will also work, but it will definitely require some block clearancing.
Contact me via the email function and I'll send you and article on how to turn a base cam 283 into a torque monster with more top end power than the '61 283/315 while appearing totally original.
Duke,
Will your procedure also work for a '69 base engine? I am trying to decide on whether or not to put a 400 crank and corresponding parts in this to achieve more low end torque and a smooth idle. As always, I appreciate your expertise.
JeffComment
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Re: '60 230hp upgrade
I believe 3.75" stroke cranks are available in 350 journal sizes. Bigger displacement equals more torque, but top end power will be the same unless you massage the heads.
A 350 base engine should idle smoothly even though it's set up for emission control, but optimizing the spark advance map can improve performance across the range.
If you want to go into more detail on your project you should start a new thread.
DukeComment
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Re: '60 230hp upgrade
If you want a cam to do what you want ,I have them custom ground all the time.Wanting a lope,dual 4's and low end torque does not make it easy.Moving lobe centers,overlap and a few things like closing the intake valve early will raise the compression and get you close to what you want. Phone me 541-218-7754Comment
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Re: '60 230hp upgrade
Thanks again guys. I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. I probably should've worded my post a little different. I have a #'s matchng car so I don't want to do anythng that can't be reversed. If it wewren't for pulling the engine to steam clean and detail the engine compartment, I probably wouldn't do anything. But, I figured while I had it out I'd do whatever I could to give it a little "attitude" if you will. It has 3k miles on a rebuild so I'm not going to tear it down any more than necessary to change cam, lifters, and intake. The perfect time to have done this would've been during the rebuild but I purchased the car after that. Anyway, I was wanting to do the right thing to accomplish as much as I could without going any deeper than I mentioned. I really appreciate all the tips. Duke and Larry, I am visiting family now but will call when I get back.
Thanks again.Comment
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Re: '60 230hp upgrade
There's really nothing you can do externally. You can improve low end torque by making the centrifugal advance curve more aggressive. Most OE 9.5:1 283s will run on regular unleaded with the OE advance curve, so at worst the more aggressive curve might require premium. Get a hold of my San Diego presentation for more info. It's on the Web - google my name and Corvette.
You can "roughen up" the idle a bit by leaning it out, but this will degrade low end driveability.
If you have a numbers matching 283/230 I would not add the 2x4 system. It's really just bling. Optimize the spark advance map for maximum performance and fuel economy and enjoy driving the car. Also, installing a higher overlap cam that will "roughen up the idle" will kill low end torque, which will likely degrade the driving experience.
Leave it alone or sell it an buy a 270 or 290 HP car.
DukeComment
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Re: '60 230hp upgrade
i don't understand if you have a matching numbers engine why would you want to chance having a problem with it if you modify it. i would take it out store it properly and install a different engine with more power if that is what you want. explain pleaseComment
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