I have 1990 Camaro RS, 305 tbi. I just got the car, changed the oil and fluids but it seems like it is holding back. It feels like it is really weak but i am thinking it should perform on the street a little better than what it is. I know a stock 305 isn't a WOW engine but it shouldn't be this weak. Any suggestions?

 

weak compared to what?

My hunch would be it's an automatic and if so, it has I believe 2.73:1 rear gear ratio

next, you're talking an engine with, when new, about 250 foot pounds of torque. Up top I believe it chokes out due to the heads and tops at 180 flywheel HP or approx 130-140 rear wheel HP when new. Will it outperform a brand new 4 cylinder Honda Accord coupe with manny tranny, probably not. Will it feel like a 4th or 5th gen Camaro with a V8, again, no way.

It's a question of your expectations and when they were built, they were not bad performers compared to other vehicles of the time. Just to put it into perspective, during the 80's, Chrysler was putting out those wonderful K cars that had 86HP from their fire breathing 4 bangers and Ford was putting out the high output 2.3 liter with 100HP in those fire breathing Ford Tempos. In 1986 Honda announced the bigger and more powerful Accord with 98HP carb model and 100HP fuel injected

So, compared to models of the time, your 90 RS is just fine. If you expected some type of fire breathing vehicle then you should either do a powerplant swap or go for a 4th gen or even better, a 2011 5.0 Mustang

and don't be mistaken that the 5.7 TPI are all that either. When you compare them to an LT1 or LS1 then they too are lacking. An then the same can be said about the LT1 and LS1 when compared to the newer engines

 

thank you, it is hard to explain it just seems like it is holding back. I have been told that my car has the new style heads but i have no idea. I don't want some monster on the street just a good street car, meaning sounding good, looking good, performing good. I used to have a 97 mustang gt 4.6L with a full PI swap headers, and 373 gears and it was a great street car. It would run a 8.50 easy. Now i have this 1990 automatic RS and it is all stock. I just want my car to have a good sound and perform well.

 

Whoa

right there is a biggie

anyway, you have the TBI engine and not TPI. Next, the gear ratio is killing you. if you were used to 3.73:1 ratio and now run 2.73:1 you will really notice it.

It seems as if you want a wee bit more performance and gears will get you there. Also, if you keep the car, fix it, and later decide to add more power, then it makes sense today that anything you do should be designed as being able to be used later. Gears, some shorty headers, off road Y pipe (if allowed where you are) and free flowing exhaust will all transfer should you later repower.

Also, get rid of the snorkel intake on the throttle body and go with a nice chrome unit.

good luck

 

thank you torque is good, is there any specific type of headers and y- pipe? and with the headers do you think it would be better with shorty headers or long tube?

 

I'm a 4th gen veteran with an LT1 powered Z. I now also own an 89 RS that I am restoring. The car seems to actually sit lower than the 4th gen so I can't imagine long tubes having sufficient ground clearance. I have long tubes on the 4th gen but by the looks of it, I'll probably go shorty on the 3rd gen.

 

any specific type you would recommend?