I've got an 88 Camaro 2.8 runs fine but have considered a V8 swap. Finding a decent, complete, and trustworthy 350 at a fair price is hard to come by in my area. The only candidate is a rusted out87 monte ss with a good running 305 motor and auto trans. It's belongs to a friendwho is willing to give it for free. I know 90% of you aregoing toinsist ona 350 but this 305 has got to be better than the 2.8, right? Before I go for it, I have a few questions.

1)How do I tell if the 305 is an HO?
2)It has an ecm but has what looks like a 4bb carb. This system any good?
3)Is the 87 700r4 trans still the troublesome years?
any replies are greatly appreciated

 

Hey sewerrat. This is my first post on this site. The 305 is a good engine, especialy if it is a factory roller, meaning the cam is a roller type. I personally have an '87 Z28 with a 305 that I rebuilt and I am very happy with it. I was able to squeeze out about 300hp with stock heads, intake and computer controlled Rochester 4bbl. I also have the 700r4 and again am very happy with it. By '85, I think, the 700r4 was redone, but the '87 is definitly a good year.

Of course most people will say 350 or bigger, but it sounds to me like this will not be a dedicated race car. I have a 3" Flowmaster exhaust and some people have actually asked if itis a big block!

Realisticaly, you should try to rebuild the 305 and if not at the least, while the engine is out, put a new rear seal, pan gasket, clean it up and throw a couple of paint cans at it. Also you will definitly have to buy a new torque convertor, the 2.8 will not work well AT ALL. If you don't rebuild it use the computer. If you do rebuild it, again, use the computer.

Later, Rob

 

Thanks Rob. I did find a site (montecarloss.com) and found a bunchof answersto my questions that I was about to post. If I do choose this motor I will surely atleast do a re-ring jobto inspect the internls for wear. I also found out that the trans is a 200r not a 700r4 like I first thought. I wish I could find a complete TBI set-up locally to run instead of the carb.

Thanks, mike

 

TBI blows, and carbs will give you the most power. If you want fuel injection, go with TPI. TPI is good for fuel economy and bottom end power while carbs will give you raw top end power.

 

the 305 in the 87 Monte SS is a H.O. engine with a roller cam. it has a 4 bbl carb , but it is a computer controlled carb. best bet would be to change to a regular carb and distributor.or go to TPI set. TBI is more of low rpm induction application. you can make great power with TBI don't get me wrong, but if your already swapping to EFI may as well get the EFI with more hp potential . i don't think the 200r trans will be a bolt in because of trans mount location and i think the output shaft in the trans is a different spline than the 700R.

 

Coprunr, you are correct on your reply. However I've sincechecked if it's a roller cam and it's not, damn. The trans has been giving problems with the previous owner and now it has no reverse. I research to find that the 200r4 is not as stout as a 700r4 out of the box although both can be built up. I am plannning on running a carb/HEI distrib for now. Thanks