7K RPM is well within the capabilities of a 283, but it's going to take some pretty serious preparation work on the heads, a hotter than stock cam, and a very detailed buildup and balance of the lower end to keep it together for long. I'd guesstimate the cost of a good build for street cruising and the occasional stoplight burnout to be somewhere in the $6K range, and close to twice that if you like going around in circles for about half a summer racing season. Don't over-cam or over-carburete the engine or you'll end up with a very peaky engine that ONLY works at wide open throttle. I'm currently in the process of building a destroked small block using a 283 crankshaft with the stroke shortened to 2 7/8 inches and a 305 block. It will end up at around 250 cubic inches and rev to 8K+ RPM if I build it right. Even using recycled NASCAR round track parts, I'll probably spend $5K or more, and I don't even want to think about what I'd have to charge labor-wise if somebody wanted to pay me to build that engine and break even on the time!
Jerry
