ROTFL - That's funny - a 350 is boring? I had a nice one in a '76 corvette that probably would have scared the poop out of you. I spent a few bucks making the original engine go - taking it up from 180 hp to around 400. The back end would break loose at freeway speeds (70 mph!) on dry roads - with a good set of sticky tires.
After spending the big bucks on it, I learned afterwards that a nice crate engine was the way to go for cost. Keep your 283 nice and stock, store it carefully in the garage and pick up a crate motor. Drive the wheels off the truck and keep the 283 block pristine. If it ever has any collector value, the stock engine in fine form will help. If you get bored with a 350 - get some professional help. Mechanically or mentally - something is wrong!
A 700R4 tranny was a great addition. Prior to that, the 3.70 gearing left me at ~4000 rpm at 70-75 mph. The tranny swap put me at ~2600 - a vast improvement, while boosting the mileage up over 20 mpg. Swapping out the rear gears for a 3.07 may boost your mileage and freeway driveability - but it will kill your bottom end acceleration. You can't have everything, but try for it anyway!
