305 Build-Up
i could see it running 13.99 with that amount of work. however, i dont think the heads can handle more than .490 valve lift safely. .500 is cutting it close. any more and you will need springs that wont bind on the stock heads, but you also wont gain any more power
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 15
I have a few thoughts for you.
If the goal is fast et's at the strip, then the bigger displacement engine is a better choice. When starting from scratch on a build up, it costs no more to build a 350 than a 305. Even a 383 isn't much more expensive.
If the goal is just to improve power and performance a little on a driver car, for some occasional fun. And/or you want to keep the original numbers matching engine, stay within a really cheap budget, just use what you already have, then yes you could use the 305.
Regarding the computer controlled issue. If you run a non computer controlled carb, and distributor you should be fine. For instance a late 70's era Quadrajet carb and HEI distributor would still look stock, but not be computer controlled. You can buy performance models from many catalogs like summit.
A stock 1983-1985 305 HO would run about 15 sec at 90 mph when new and stock. The voodoo cam would be an improvement over the stock cam. Other bolt on items like exhaust, would help make more power as well. It is safe to say those changes would get the car solidly down into the 14's.
If it's what you want to do, I say give it a try. Then let us know how it works out, I would like to hear about it.
I know of a nice 305 powered 82 camaro for sale cheap, and have considered picking it up and doing those exact same things to it just to see how much performance I could get out of the little 305 on a cheap budget, and what kind of gas mileage I could get with it. Gas it getting awfully expensive lately!
If the goal is fast et's at the strip, then the bigger displacement engine is a better choice. When starting from scratch on a build up, it costs no more to build a 350 than a 305. Even a 383 isn't much more expensive.
If the goal is just to improve power and performance a little on a driver car, for some occasional fun. And/or you want to keep the original numbers matching engine, stay within a really cheap budget, just use what you already have, then yes you could use the 305.
Regarding the computer controlled issue. If you run a non computer controlled carb, and distributor you should be fine. For instance a late 70's era Quadrajet carb and HEI distributor would still look stock, but not be computer controlled. You can buy performance models from many catalogs like summit.
A stock 1983-1985 305 HO would run about 15 sec at 90 mph when new and stock. The voodoo cam would be an improvement over the stock cam. Other bolt on items like exhaust, would help make more power as well. It is safe to say those changes would get the car solidly down into the 14's.
If it's what you want to do, I say give it a try. Then let us know how it works out, I would like to hear about it.
I know of a nice 305 powered 82 camaro for sale cheap, and have considered picking it up and doing those exact same things to it just to see how much performance I could get out of the little 305 on a cheap budget, and what kind of gas mileage I could get with it. Gas it getting awfully expensive lately!
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 15
I agree with you Scott, if he is willing to and has the money to purchase cylinder heads, then he should build a bigger engine.
On the other hand if money is tight, Reusing the stock 305 short block and stock heads costs 0$ If budget is an issue it is certainly a viable option.
When I was younger, I had plenty of experience installing a cam and a few bolt ons to otherwise stock engines, and getting good results very cheap. Total cost a few hundred dollars plus elbow grease. With more experience, I even tackled doing a mild port job on cylinder heads. Total cost 0$ and elbow grease.
Being low on cash at that time of life left me little choice but to make the best of what I had. I had much more enthusiasm than money at the time, and it was a good learning experience.
One of the engines I improved this way was a 396 big block in 70 SS Chevelle. I bought the car when I was 20 back in the 80's for $3000 before prices went crazy high.
Now people would say don't bother with a 396, go directly to a 454 or larger. While that is a great idea if you have the money, back then I didn't. I spent every penny I had just to buy the car.
The stock 350 hp 396 performance was weak, it ran low 15's in the quarter, primarily due to a very mild stock cam. So the first thing I did was spend a couple of hundred dollars on a cam kit. Even reusing the Qjet, low rise cast iron intake, and exhaust manifolds, times improved a full second to low 14's at 100 mph.
Later bolting on headers, intake and carb, a set of gears and some sticky tires improved times to low 13's at 104 mph. All with the original, never rebuilt short block and heads.
Later in the 90's when I had more money I built a 505 cubic inch big block, and went much faster.
On the other hand if money is tight, Reusing the stock 305 short block and stock heads costs 0$ If budget is an issue it is certainly a viable option.
When I was younger, I had plenty of experience installing a cam and a few bolt ons to otherwise stock engines, and getting good results very cheap. Total cost a few hundred dollars plus elbow grease. With more experience, I even tackled doing a mild port job on cylinder heads. Total cost 0$ and elbow grease.
Being low on cash at that time of life left me little choice but to make the best of what I had. I had much more enthusiasm than money at the time, and it was a good learning experience.
One of the engines I improved this way was a 396 big block in 70 SS Chevelle. I bought the car when I was 20 back in the 80's for $3000 before prices went crazy high.
Now people would say don't bother with a 396, go directly to a 454 or larger. While that is a great idea if you have the money, back then I didn't. I spent every penny I had just to buy the car.
The stock 350 hp 396 performance was weak, it ran low 15's in the quarter, primarily due to a very mild stock cam. So the first thing I did was spend a couple of hundred dollars on a cam kit. Even reusing the Qjet, low rise cast iron intake, and exhaust manifolds, times improved a full second to low 14's at 100 mph.
Later bolting on headers, intake and carb, a set of gears and some sticky tires improved times to low 13's at 104 mph. All with the original, never rebuilt short block and heads.
Later in the 90's when I had more money I built a 505 cubic inch big block, and went much faster.
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