Hey guys i have a camaro with a 305 5 L sbc, i have the option to buy a 1992 350 5.7l camaro with heads. i was going to rebuild the engine either way and i am told the 350 will have moe torque and HP, obviously. I recently just bought everything to build the heads for the 305 engine (rocker arms, springs, retainers, etc. everything but valves so far) I was wondering, If I did decide to go with the 350 5.7l would i be able to use the performance head parts on the bigger engine heads without running into issues?.. if that made sense..

Thanks in advance!

 

The valves on the 305 heads have the small valves because of the small bore of the 305. If you can find a late model truck motor 1996 and up it will have the much better 350 and the vortec heads. A simple rebuild and you can reuse the roller lifter that come in the motor and up grade the cam to something a little better. It easy to make 400HP with the vortec heads. The cylinder heads are what make the power. For a factory head the vortec are the best and there cheap to get. Have fun with your 84 and keep us up dated with the upgrade.

 

so the 1996 vortec heads will bolt onto the 84 305/350 block?

 

The 1996-2001 vortec heads will bolt to the 350 block with no problem BUT NOT THE 305 motor. Because of the SMALL bore size of the 305 the intake valve will be to close to the cylinder wall. Why loose 45 cubic inches with the 305 when the 350 vortec will do it all and it comes with the roller cam and lifters dog bones and spider for the roller cam along with the block being set up for the roller cam. Even if you use a electric fuel pump (because the vortec stock roller cam does not have a fuel pump lobe) the stock vortec motor makes around 330HP with nothing more than a freshing of the motor.

 

will the 5.3 vortec heads be good, or only the 5.7?

 

NO the 5.3 is a total different motor then the Gen. 1 Vortec motors. Don't make thing so complicated, JUST get a complete running 1996-2001 350 cubic inch vortec motor. Casting on the block will ONLY be last three numbers 880 and the heads only last three numbers will be 906 or 062 casting ONLY. Freshen it and your set. 330HP and lots of TQ or about $500 complete if you do it your self and reuse a lot of the original parts. Just new rings rods mains cam bearings and a timing chain and a set of new valve seals.

 

Alright well you cleared this up SO much for me, your a hero haha thanks so much man. il let you know how it goes. gonna go pick up a rear end tranny and 5.7 block tomorrow hopefully than find out about that vortec by this weekend and hopefully pick one up to give me something to spend my time and money on :P. thanks again champ!

 

Be sure its the 880 block and NOT the 638 that came in all the 86-95 vehicals. 880CASTING ONLY.

 

I bought the vortec heads and the 350 block, bolted them on and didnt have a problem, next step is send them out to get chemically dumped and machined, thank you so much! I'll keep everyone posted on the build.

 

YAV8 is on the right track, it is exactly what I would do.