Small Block & Big Block Chevy Specific - 305 build up

i know you guys say that 350s are 10x better than the 305 and i agree totally, but im 17 making shit money and im just looking for some more streetable power and fun. im not looking to beat corvettes, just hondas and the like.

its a 1983 chevy camaro 305 4bbl. what do you guys recommend? or have done in the past

i know full exhaust but what else? the edelbrock power package sounds good for 600 bucks has anyone used that before?

thanks

honestly dude, for that 600 bucks you're gonna spend for the performance package, you could probably pick up a 350 from the junk yard built. where are you located? there's a dude here in yuma that picked up his 350 for his monte for 500 bucks. shop around. see what you can find.

everyone is gonna tell you to ditch the 305 bla bla bla.. i had a 305 in my 91. i don't know what your emission laws are there, but i was running shortie headers, back to a 3" flowmaster with no cat. used synthetic oil. and used msd wires with bosch +2 plugs. msd cap and rotor. it ran very well. i had no problems. getting rid of that cat is the best thing you can do for cheap performance.

for 600 bucks you could buy nitrous!!! hehehehe

remove all but the alt and water pump acc. :) headers small cam intake . and last but not least some gearing 4.10's

sounds good

first im thinking 410s and full exhaust and plug them emissions. then ill get the power package

If I was you I'd save up for a crate motor but if you cant wait then a small cam and intake maybe I dunno much about carbs

Honestly why make the car Chug more gas? Your 17 and gas is going to kill you with a gear and a cam.


Save your money for a new motor later on, or just save for a different car thats a bit quicker....

save for LSx conversion ;)
hell even a 5.3 LSx from a truck with a 02 zo6 cam will do some damage
they go for like 400-600$ with accs. nowadays at salvage yards
and it bolts to 700r4 with some modification
keep the carb.

OK i've got a 82 Z/28 (along with a Firehawk) Anyway, normally I don't post but thought I would put my input on it since my 82 has a 305 that runs ok for a 305.

Here are the specs -

cam - 224 at 50 lift (intake and ehaust) .465 in lift 114 degrees lobe separation

Intake - Edelbrock performer

Carb - Holley 750cfm vaccuum secondary

rear end - 3.73 w/ posi

Trans- TH350 w/shift kit

It is a bit overcammed and overcarbed , Low end suffers under 3000.- if it had a stall converter it would run stronger - but it pulls nice from 3000 - 5500.

you should be able to get the cam kit for around 150( I bought mine on ebay it way just a basic kit came with everything you need, It was a melling, or elgin cam something like that)

Edelbrock intake - should be able to get one for around 40 dollars on ebay

holley carb - maybe 100 used

Oh yeah I removed all the emmissions and put on a Old style HEI (non Computer)

HEi ignition - used 10 dollars

So than brings total to around 300 dollars, you may be able to find things a bit cheaper, if you shop around. The 305 will not be the fastest thing around but will wake up enough to have a little bit of fun with. Plus if you get all the parts you can have them all intalled in an afternoon.

save for LSx conversion ;)
hell even a 5.3 LSx from a truck with a 02 zo6 cam will do some damage
they go for like 400-600$ with accs. nowadays at salvage yards
and it bolts to 700r4 with some modification
keep the carb.
:werd:

Carb Intake Cam. That way you can go a bigger inch motor later. Or you could grab a 350 crank and stroke it up then the heads intake carb and cam. That is what I would do if I were on a tight budget. But the thing is that the 350 or even a 400 motor would be the best investment that you can make. No one wants a 305, it doesn't move enough air...

have you ever tried thirdgen.org? it's all based on the 82-92 model years, and there's a wealth of info there and a shit load on 305 motors.

ill take a look at thirdgen.org again

thanks for all the info guys :)

start looking around at local junkyards, from my past experiances the 305 isn't a complete waste of time, but if you can get a 350 for a few bucks at a junkyard then go for it

a guy i work with has a 305 in his 89 camaro, it has a decent amount of bolt ons but still lacks the response that a 350 would general give from such mods

I was also in your shoes in high school, had a 92 RS 305 TBI and I think you should be able to get your car to keep up with LS1's on a budget as long as you have a good bottom end. I would start with 4.10 gears and hooker long tubes with a catback. On the long tubes you'll need to hammer in the floor boards a little. Then go with a dual plane intake and a 750 carb. Comp Cams 249-CL12-209-2 should be good. And then if budget allows go with world products S/R torquer heads and a 75 hp plate system nitrous shot. The benefits of all these mods except the heads are that you can reuse them on a 350 later down the road. If you cant afford to do them all start and learn how to install stuff yourself. With this setup you could see high 12s with a stall and drag radials.

if you want some good fire power for cheap, check this out - If you want, I can give you an ebay (power)seller's username. I bought a billet distributor w/ a 50k volt coil, bronze terminals (the seller, who really a parts store claims it's a 65k volt coil) for under 90$ shipped (and it's all brand new!!!)

rebuildable 350's are very easy to get around here. I got a complete one, with a 4 bolt main for $75.00

I was also in your shoes in high school, had a 92 RS 305 TBI and I think you should be able to get your car to keep up with LS1's on a budget as long as you have a good bottom end. I would start with 4.10 gears and hooker long tubes with a catback. On the long tubes you'll need to hammer in the floor boards a little. Then go with a dual plane intake and a 750 carb. Comp Cams 249-CL12-209-2 should be good. And then if budget allows go with world products S/R torquer heads and a 75 hp plate system nitrous shot. The benefits of all these mods except the heads are that you can reuse them on a 350 later down the road. If you cant afford to do them all start and learn how to install stuff yourself. With this setup you could see high 12s with a stall and drag radials.
i was thinking 600-650...750 i would think would be too much for the 305. trickflows small bore heads, everything else i agree with. like ive said, get more compression get more power. the 305 is capable of power its jus the stock compression blows.

http://www.goingfaster.com/spo/325_horsepower_305_cid_chevrolet.html

Carb Intake Cam. That way you can go a bigger inch motor later. Or you could grab a 350 crank and stroke it up then the heads intake carb and cam. That is what I would do if I were on a tight budget. But the thing is that the 350 or even a 400 motor would be the best investment that you can make. No one wants a 305, it doesn't move enough air...

305's already have 350 cranks, same stroke

anyone posting here with a 305...i've tried, and while it will make some decent power, you can do more with just a little more money.

You'll need intake/carb/dist regarless
build a junkyard stroker and make 425hp, you'll be much happier then the maxed out 300 you'll get from the 305

and like mentioned, if you're young and can't afford to much right now..just do full exhaust and have someone tune that quadrajet

i was thinking 600-650...750 i would think would be too much for the 305. trickflows small bore heads, everything else i agree with. like ive said, get more compression get more power. the 305 is capable of power its jus the stock compression blows.

I only reason I went 750 was because I knew spraying the 305 with nitrous, it wouldnt last forever and knew I would be upgrading to a 350. Down low suffers a little but if you go with 4.10s it helps compensate.

I too have a 305, but i have a 91 Z28 with TPI, so the whole carb scene im not too familular with. I have full exhaust and ram air on it and it runs great for a stock motor with 147k miles. But if you did go higher compression i would get a 180 thermostat and some electric fans and wire them to a switch, and work on getting rid of accesories, i bet thats a lot of horses just going down the drain right there!

thats alot of good info

im not so much looking for the 425hp monster as just something thats gonna kill ricers and pre 05 mustangs

if you want some good fire power for cheap, check this out - If you want, I can give you an ebay (power)seller's username. I bought a billet distributor w/ a 50k volt coil, bronze terminals (the seller, who really a parts store claims it's a 65k volt coil) for under 90$ shipped (and it's all brand new!!!)

yeah id like to see a good power sellers name for ebay thanks

yeah id like to see a good power sellers name for ebay thanks

here ya go buddy! - and it's even cheaper than I told ya!


http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BBC-CHEVY-HEI-DISTRIBUTOR-V-8-65-000-GMC-RED-350-454_W0QQitemZ270005087592QQihZ017QQcategoryZ33690Q QrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

seems to be good quality....so far it's performing just fine on my 355...

thats alot of good info

im not so much looking for the 425hp monster as just something thats gonna kill ricers and pre 05 mustangs



yeah id like to see a good power sellers name for ebay thanks


For what your looking for (something to beat stupid looking ricers) a 305 can be just the ticket. I have one in a 82 Z/28 that I have a lot of fun racing around with, I believe I described the modifications in another post of this thread.

Along with the 305 camaro - I have a firehawk and a corvette -

Here is the point I am trying to make- yes the 305 is slower than the firehawk or corvette, however I have the most fun blasting it up and down the street racing ricers. Sometimes the most fun can be had with something that isn't the sate of the art LS engine - but rather with a mild 305.

I don't think carb is the answer but most like it. I am a TPI guy..I have a mild build up that actually runs strong. I am currently in the process of adding either the ASM runners and TPIs Big Mouth intake or just getting the FirstInjections set up. I have already bought my 3.42's(TPI like 3.42 better than 3.73's unless more heavily modded)and I am waiting to go get dyno tuned. I have already gotten decent times on street tires and 2.73 gears. 13.6's are not bad for a mild 305and I haven'ttimed it yet with the new converter! I am looking into some heads for it as well as maybe Nitirous. Its not the best "bang for the buck" build up but you gotta love the conversation that ensues after you beat someone "hey what do you got in there?" "TPI" "What size motor?" "305 or LB9" 'WHATT???" and on and on. Yeah I get beat all the time by LS1's and Lt1's but I tell you what the ones that I have beat are very happy about being beaten by an automatic 305 TPI. But man do I get stomped on! Messing with the ricers is the best!!!

Well, unfortunately the early LG4 is about the worst of the SBCs to start a performance build on, but it can be done, and best of all, cheap. Speaking from experience...

You'll need to address everything on that engine, and I mean everything, as your faced with one bottleneck after another.

First, the MOST IMPORTANT thing to making power on these cars is the exhaust. You'll want good quality parts that flow well. Shorty or long tube headers wont matter much at this power level, just make sure they're at least 1 5/8" primaries with a good collector. STAY AWAY FROM THE EDELBROCK CRIMP TYPE COLLECTORS! Y-pipe should be free flowing and as large as possible. Buy headers for a TPI car, as they'll have a larger y-pipe and will eliminate the butterfly valve in the passenger pipe. Catback should be at least 3" with a good flowing muffler. Magnaflow, Dynomax, etc. NOT FLOWMASTER.

Second, address the induction. Forget about the stock CCC QJet. They can be made to run, but require $, time, and patience. Do yourself a favor and select a good 600-650 piece on top of Edelbrocks Vortec Performer RPM intake (see below). Open element aircleaner is OK.

Finally, cam, compression, and heads. Do all 3 at the same time. Comp Cams XE 256 and XE 262 work well in the 305s. Buy the cam kit, not just the cam. Look around in junkyards for late model GM vans. From 96-02? the 305s had good cylinder heads that can be had for pennies. You will need an intake designed for the Vortec heads. Mill them slightly and install a thinner head gasket.

The above mentioned parts should make for a strong 305, and produce just under 300HP. Combine that with a 2400-2600 stall (try to source an S10 converter from GM) and some 3.42 or 3.73 gears (cheaper to install complete rear end from donor car) and you should have a fairly quick car.

Yes the Edelcrap headers suck. Hooker or SLP are the way to go. Hedmens are pretty kick butt to for the dough.
Just get some world heads and port them out. Have fun...thats the name of the game.

I don't think carb is the answer but most like it. I am a TPI guy..I have a mild build up that actually runs strong. I am currently in the process of adding either the ASM runners and TPIs Big Mouth intake or just getting the FirstInjections set up. I have already bought my 3.42's(TPI like 3.42 better than 3.73's unless more heavily modded)and I am waiting to go get dyno tuned. I have already gotten decent times on street tires and 2.73 gears. 13.6's are not bad for a mild 305and I haven'ttimed it yet with the new converter! I am looking into some heads for it as well as maybe Nitirous. Its not the best "bang for the buck" build up but you gotta love the conversation that ensues after you beat someone "hey what do you got in there?" "TPI" "What size motor?" "305 or LB9" 'WHATT???" and on and on. Yeah I get beat all the time by LS1's and Lt1's but I tell you what the ones that I have beat are very happy about being beaten by an automatic 305 TPI. But man do I get stomped on! Messing with the ricers is the best!!!
i have a never used holley stealth ram setup if youre interested

PM me whats included in the buy and how much. I am going to Vegas to blow some dough that I could better use on my T/A or Roc but oh well.
I am interested because I would like the see the results of a aftermarket system on a 305 with mods that can keep up with the setup. I was really looking into the FirstInjections setup since it is still TPI but we'll see what happens. PM me. Thanks
Oh and you can't forget the thing all gearheads hate to hear more than building a 305....STROKE IT TO A 335!!!! LOL Release the hate mail!!!

The funest car I had was a 1983 Cutlass 4-door with a rebuilt 350 with a RV cam, 305 heads, headers, and a 600 Edie carb. It wasn't the fastest thing by anymeans, but it was the altimate gravel road car\ fuck around car, especially since i didn't care about the car. If the car is a beater, then though an intake, headers and a mild cam in it, and had fun.

Thought I'd help ya out a little, when my car was stock it had the original 87 305 roller motor with the quadrajunk 4 bll and 700 R4. At around 145,000 miles I started modding it just to see what I could get out of it and believe me it was a surprising little motor. I started out by running Hedman mid length headers, ORY, and a 3" American Thunder cat back. That was the single best mod I ever done to that car, it really woke it up, anyway after that I ditched the computer and quadrojet for a Edelbrock Performer intake and matching 600cfm Edelbrock carb. I swapped out the HEI, this car had the coil seperate from the distributor, for a Mallory Billet old school HEI distributor and Taylor 8mm wires. After that I swapped the factory 3.08 gears for 3.73's and put a vette valve body on the transmission. The car was running 9.2's in the 1/8th miles with close to 200,000 miles and at 210,000 the electric fuel pump went out so I built a 406ci small block for it, that old LG4 was still running strong when I pulled it out, didn't smoke or use oil not one bit. 305's are bullet proof as far as I'm concerned because I beat the living shit outta that little motor and it never gave me one bit of problems!! Good luck

WOW thats alot of good info

thanks guys

im gonna get some midlength deader and dynomax catback first

then a carb and intake.


should i go with performer or rpm intake?

RPM make the little thing work for the bottom end!!! I actually like the Weiand Stealth intake more. Either way it should help out a lot!

Watch your hood clearance - With the holley carb on top of a regular performer I don't have that much room -

A Performer RPM I think is a little taller.

Watch your hood clearance - With the holley carb on top of a regular performer I don't have that much room -

A Performer RPM I think is a little taller.

im going all edlebrock, is the edlebrock carb shorter than a holley?

:engarde: Face it dude your 305 is better off as a boat anchor at the bottom of the st. Johns River. The bores are way to small to put a good breathing set of heads from a 350 on it. Dude go fine a one piece rear main 350 block and stick it on a stand a go with it, drive the 305 till you blow it, buy then you should have a nasty 5.7 ready to install. I bet the MOST power you can make with that 5 liter salt shaker motor as right around 375 HP..... Thats flywheel power to. WEAK!

:engarde: Face it dude your 305 is better off as a boat anchor at the bottom of the st. Johns River. The bores are way to small to put a good breathing set of heads from a 350 on it. Dude go fine a one piece rear main 350 block and stick it on a stand a go with it, drive the 305 till you blow it, buy then you should have a nasty 5.7 ready to install. I bet the MOST power you can make with that 5 liter salt shaker motor as right around 375 HP..... Thats flywheel power to. WEAK!

im not lookin for more than 300, i just want to have a quick car and have some fun until i get a new car for graduation

Let the kid have his fun...he knows whats wrong with the 305 and he knows what will come of it. Have fun man and enjoy it until you get something else at the least.

I am not very knowledgable about edelbrock carbs- But I think it is a bit shorter than the holley.

Build your 305 and have fun with it- my 82 is setup basically for doing what you describe, and I have a blast driving it. I built it on the cheap and have had good luck with it.

What I do with it is race ricer cars when I get a chance - every now and then you can find a stock 5.0 mustang and that makes for a good fun race.

Check out thirdgen.org there are a couple good running 305's drivers on there for example this thread.

http://www.thirdgen.org/techboard/organized-drag-racing-autocross/368814-beastly-little-305-does.html

I am not very knowledgable about edelbrock carbs- But I think it is a bit shorter than the holley.

Build your 305 and have fun with it- my 82 is setup basically for doing what you describe, and I have a blast driving it. I built it on the cheap and have had good luck with it.

What I do with it is race ricer cars when I get a chance - every now and then you can find a stock 5.0 mustang and that makes for a good fun race.

Check out thirdgen.org there are a couple good running 305's drivers on there for example this thread.

http://www.thirdgen.org/techboard/organized-drag-racing-autocross/368814-beastly-little-305-does.html

thanks man that sounds good

all i want to beat are imports and a few mustangs, my one friend has an 04 mustang that he put 1500 in and only got 235 to the wheels

Well I have a 305 in my 91 RS and I just got done takin apart a 305 from a 89 firebird, which am going to have bored .30 over and ordered a 335 long rod stoker kit , am going to have the valves on the heads resized...once I get the kit, I'll post more specs of the cam,valves and other stuff later on......oh and 305 heads are better than 350 heads, since you get more compression...=).......and yes I know 350's are hella alot better as everyone around here as told me....but if you build those little 305's with the right combinations, you'll be smokin those 350's.....oh yeah another reason people don't build 305's is because parts are more expensive for them as for 350's you can get pretty much everywhere you go and more variety of parts