The LS swap does have more options depending on the level of research you are willing to do and how brave your are. If I was in your shoes I would not spend the money for a engine to trans adapter. I would use the 4 speed automatic trans. If you get a chance search Ls Swap Cost. You can see break downs of other projects. You can do a 5.3 /4L60 trans swap for a little over 2K. Of course that assumes you can find a used engine/trans for 800 ish and you do not mind used factory parts with no upgrades like headers. It will give you a lot of room to grow. While the 5.3 will have more HP (300 at the crank) then then your stock 307 you could add a CAM and a set of headers and get 400Hp at the crank in the future. That is keeping the EFI and jail breaking the PCM of the Vats system and everything else you don't need and getting a quick street tune. There are a lot of ways to save money on a swap. You can buy everything you need to install the motors or you can research it and just find out what factory parts to use. You can buy ebay mount adapters and fuel lines and pretty much everything else can come from a you pull it lot.

I am not saying that is right for you just it would be worth the research now so you do not regret money spent.

 

Thanks again for the recommendations.

Regarding crate engines, Summit also offers them and some are even in-stock like https://www.summitracing.com/parts/mll-bp3503ct1. This one offers up an HP number of 373. The Jegs crate did not seem to have details like this https://www.jegs.com/i/ATK+Engines/0...aAlqMEALw_wcB#. I think I'm going to bite the bullet and get a crate engine, but I'm not sure how to choose which one from where. I would prefer not to wait until mid-december which is the estimate ship date on the Jegs.

I will also research the LSx option. I don't mind piecing things together, I just don't know how to find a parts list of what I need specifically. I have Googled and Youtubed, it's juts not clear to me at this point. It sounds like, basically, I need: mounts, oil pan, exhaust manifold, intake, carb. The auto trans would bolt without modification. Am I missing other parts? Also, I'm considering this as also a used engine with no guarantees, so, are crate long blocks a good way to go for the LSx?

Appreciate all the help!

 

Pay close attention to the specs lists,I'm sure Summit has a more complete package,the link you posted is only $322 less than the Jegs but has no intake or carb,no dist. etc. etc. You'd spend way more than that to get all the parts and hardware listed at Jegs to use the Summit crate engine.
The parts off your 305 will not support that engine and are probably junk anyway.

 

By the way I'm also a big fan of the LS platform but it's a more complicated swap.
The old small block Chevy is a simple bolt in operation just replacing the motor that's in the car now,

 

Edit: I reread this post today and I want you to understand I do not mean to say the LS swap is the way you should go. I have no plans on doing it to my classic (although a 6 speed would be nice). I just wanted you to know that the option was out there and I was passing on info I have found.

I am not sure how I found this but I watched it the other night thought is was a easy to follow comparison of a few options. Seem like for every issue there is a budget way and a easy way. I also believe if you took the time to build this, (the budget version) You could sell a turn key system for more then you paid for the parts. If you started with 4.8 or a 5.3 you may be able to sell that running driving setup for enough to build a 6.0. Even a 4.8 would have more HP then the 307 and should be dirt cheap. The 6.0 Lq9 I believe is the king of the cheaper motors. The transmission that backs that up is insanely strong. These came in Escalades and they are designed to push a 6000lb truck towing 10,000 lbs. They are very rare in 2WD

Also you need to understand that transmissions are not all the same. Not all the TH350s are the same. The transmission are configured for the engine they are behind. That means a your Th350 would have less clutches and may have soft planetary gears the one that came behind a 275 HP 327. This is also true for manuals to a point, A non-performance manual like a saginaw will not hold up to any real torque. Even in like new conditions your current transmission would have a very limited life. This does not mean your used junk yard transmission is good but at least there is a chance it could hold up. Especially a 2WD 5.3 out of a truck with the tow package.

Another cool thing would be by the time you are done you will know how modern fuel injection works. Even tho these are older motors not that much has changes.



If you think you interested check out sloppy mechanics web site and You tube. Mat built a 8 second car for $8,000. or got close the last time I checked but that was not just the price of the motor that was the whole car. He does 10 second cars in his sleep from junk yard parts and chinses Turbos . He gives away everything he learns and hold nothing back. The forms are great as long as you try to figure it out first and he has a bunch of part list. A word of warning if you start down the mega squirt rabbit hole I take no responsibility of the effect on your life. I stopped my self right before I ordered one for my 93. In one video he built a lunch control system from and old wheel sensor a piece of a screw driver and a mega squirt PCM