Well, due to financial constraints, it looks like my 350 swap will have to wait until at least the end of summer. In the meanwhile, I want to get a little more HP out of my old 305. Does anybody have any suggestion as to which brand/duration/lift I should go with? The engine has about 120K miles on it but still runs strong, but Im worried that old valve springs and a new cam might cause me to float a valve. Is this a valid concern? Im only looking to cam the car, not pull the heads or replace pistons. Thanks.

 

I've got some news for you. You don't have to pull the heads to rplace valve springs, and running a new cam with old springs is a bad idea, anyway. Do you have a decent capacity air compressor that can easilly maintain 100 psi with a small leakdown at the end of the hose, and keep it up there for at least an hour?

 

Replacing springs while doing a cam won't add more than 2 hours to the job, inexperienced installer even...

Is it a TBI or TPI 305? Either way, a cam swap isn't going to do much to give you more umph, while the peanut cam found in 305 TPI's suck, it's really the heads & TPI that are also holding the motor back. As for TBI...ugh.

You should just be patient and wait until your 350 is ready for installation.

 

As far as the air compressor thing, the most I access to is a Craftsman 5 HP. I believe it shoots 90-100.
However, I dont want to undertake this project if Im not going to make a big difference. The car was originally crossfire. Its now Carbed ( 'Brock 600) 'Brock intake, cheap headers and dual exhaust. So you guys really think that a cam will make little difference?

 

So, no other opinions on if a cam will wake up a 305 or not? Cmon......

 

this is a tried and true fairly reasonable aftermarket cam for a 305. all it needs to make good power is a single plane intake and headers. Sick
Part Number - CS1062R
Brand - Speed Pro
Power Range - 2200-5700
Idle Quality - Fair
Valve Lift Int/Exh - .468 .480
Duration Adv. Int/Exh - 304° 287°
Duration @.050 Int/Exh - 220° 231°
Lobe Centerline - 110°

 

Im running headers, but Im embarassed to ask, what is a single plane intake and how does it work differently than a dual? I have an old Edlebrock performer, see image....

http://www.rpmcat.com/images/2101-E11.jpg

This is exactly what I have.

I believe Im running a dual plane? Even with my current cam, should I go to a single plane?

Thanks Sick....

 

Where are you looking to put the powerband?

 

Not quite sure how to answer that. Probably down low, to midrange. I just want to give the ole 305 some more 'oomph' until I can afford a 350...

 

The cam suggested by Sick is a bit stout for a stock 305. I'd go with something in the Comp Cams 260 or 252 range. It'll give You a much better low end without sacrificing mid range with Your stock type intake manifold. No offense Sick.