Project Super Sleeper
#1
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Car: 1986 Pontiac Trans Am
Engine: V8 305 TPI 5.0L
Transmission: Auto
Project Super Sleeper
My 305 in my 86 trans am blew something in the engine and I got talking to someone while on break at work about where i could get a 350 rather cheap and he said to just rebuild your 305 while boring it out and adding larger pistons. He also said I should put a supercharger on it. I got to thinking about what he said and i started looking around on the internet about what you could get out of a 305 and I found some interesting things. I was mainly just wanting to know is what your suggestions would be on doing this. I currently have tpi but plan on switching to tbi in the end.
#2
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you could stroke the 305, but why? its not worth the money.
If you come across a 350 block, which is easy enough to do, pick it up and build it.
Why on earth would you go from TPI to TBI? you must be slightly more than mildly nuts or a bit confused lol. Though TPI has its faults, it beats out TBI 9 days a week.
If you come across a 350 block, which is easy enough to do, pick it up and build it.
Why on earth would you go from TPI to TBI? you must be slightly more than mildly nuts or a bit confused lol. Though TPI has its faults, it beats out TBI 9 days a week.
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Car: '89 Formula 350 & '86 Z28
Engine: L98 & 355ci
Transmission: 700r4 in both
Cost to bore a 305 = $100
Cost of a 350 block = $100
Why would you go with a 305?
You can buy basic 350 rebuild kits for $200-300, and 305s are more expencive
Cost of a 350 block = $100
Why would you go with a 305?
You can buy basic 350 rebuild kits for $200-300, and 305s are more expencive
#5
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Car: 1986 Pontiac Firebird
Engine: 305 LG4
Transmission: T-5 NWC
Depends on what you think expensive is. My father and I just finished up rebuilding my 305. We had the heads professionally cleaned and checked out at a local machine shop which cost 300 bucks. After replaceing all the electonic sensors and gaskets and rebuilding it. We have no more then another 200 or so into it. Maybe 300 is you wanna push it, but thats what it'll cost to rebuild a 350. Maybe we just have great prices up here in Massachusetts, but rebuilding my 305 was cheaper then buying and rebuilding a 350. Plus, I don't have an engine stand or anything to yank one engine and put in another. So it was easier. Now I have a decent engine to work with, that'll get me down to college and back without worry. For me, it was best to rebuild the 305. Not necessarily best for anyone else, but price is no different then a 350.
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Car: 1987 IROC-Z
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: T5
what's the no.1 dumbest thing you can do?
Rebuild a 305 when 350's comes a dime a dozen.
get a 350 an put a supercharger on that.
Rebuild a 305 when 350's comes a dime a dozen.
get a 350 an put a supercharger on that.
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Car: 1986 Pontiac Firebird
Engine: 305 LG4
Transmission: T-5 NWC
So I guess I'm dumb. Many people are very closed minded here. And tell me I'm stupid all you want, but I enjoy being different. As to the original poster, you have your options, find a 350 to rebuild, or just dig into you 305. Difference in price will be the price to buy the 350 block, nothing else will be groslly different. Choose whats best for you.
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#8
Depends on what you think expensive is. My father and I just finished up rebuilding my 305. We had the heads professionally cleaned and checked out at a local machine shop which cost 300 bucks. After replaceing all the electonic sensors and gaskets and rebuilding it. We have no more then another 200 or so into it. Maybe 300 is you wanna push it, but thats what it'll cost to rebuild a 350. Maybe we just have great prices up here in Massachusetts, but rebuilding my 305 was cheaper then buying and rebuilding a 350. Plus, I don't have an engine stand or anything to yank one engine and put in another. So it was easier. Now I have a decent engine to work with, that'll get me down to college and back without worry. For me, it was best to rebuild the 305. Not necessarily best for anyone else, but price is no different then a 350.
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Car: 1987 IROC-Z
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: T5
Originally posted by '86Twins
So I guess I'm dumb. Many people are very closed minded here. And tell me I'm stupid all you want, but I enjoy being different. As to the original poster, you have your options, find a 350 to rebuild, or just dig into you 305. Difference in price will be the price to buy the 350 block, nothing else will be groslly different. Choose whats best for you.
So I guess I'm dumb. Many people are very closed minded here. And tell me I'm stupid all you want, but I enjoy being different. As to the original poster, you have your options, find a 350 to rebuild, or just dig into you 305. Difference in price will be the price to buy the 350 block, nothing else will be groslly different. Choose whats best for you.
This is my opinion, plain and simple.
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Car: '89 Formula 350 & '86 Z28
Engine: L98 & 355ci
Transmission: 700r4 in both
Originally posted by 5SIZ
if someone wants to build up a 327 stroker then more power to them.
if someone wants to build up a 327 stroker then more power to them.
No one is stuipid for doing a 305, are there better options, yeah. You have to do what you have to do with the money you have. We just tend to lean on the performance side.
Edit: unless you meant stroke the 305 to 327
Last edited by SweetS10v8; 07-11-2004 at 07:40 AM.
#11
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Lets cool it guys. There are a 1000 posts on this site about 305 vs 350 and there's no reason to continue this one. There is no wrong or right, just logic here. Only reason to build a 305 is because you have one, its free, or you want to be different. Being slow for the sake of difference seems to draw some following...still, there are a number of fast 305s around here...Willie, Preston...etc
My question is why on earth would you switch from TPI to TBI?
and 86TWINS, what you are doing isn't considered rebuilding an engine by most people's standards. All you did was a bearing job.
My question is why on earth would you switch from TPI to TBI?
and 86TWINS, what you are doing isn't considered rebuilding an engine by most people's standards. All you did was a bearing job.
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Car: 1986 Pontiac Firebird
Engine: 305 LG4
Transmission: T-5 NWC
I understand that I will be slower then a 350, but for now it works. I also don't wanna build up a 350 to yank it for my other plan. But I understand what you are all saying. I did a top end rebuild, not a full rebuild, my bad on wording. Oh well, if I had more money, the things I'd do. :-)
#15
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If you want a sleeper, a 305 ain't it. If it goes slow, it's not a sleeper. If it goes fast, nobody will beleive it's only a 305. All small blocks look the same from the outside, so only YOU will know it's actual displacement.
You want a sleeper? Start with a 400 small block. Now THAT'S a sleeper. No blower required. Sleepers don't use power adders unless they're well hidden.
You want a sleeper? Start with a 400 small block. Now THAT'S a sleeper. No blower required. Sleepers don't use power adders unless they're well hidden.
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Car: 91 Camaro Vert
Engine: 02 LS1, HX40
Transmission: 2002 LS1 M6
Originally posted by Damon
If you want a sleeper, a 305 ain't it. If it goes slow, it's not a sleeper. If it goes fast, nobody will beleive it's only a 305. All small blocks look the same from the outside, so only YOU will know it's actual displacement.
You want a sleeper? Start with a 400 small block. Now THAT'S a sleeper. No blower required. Sleepers don't use power adders unless they're well hidden.
If you want a sleeper, a 305 ain't it. If it goes slow, it's not a sleeper. If it goes fast, nobody will beleive it's only a 305. All small blocks look the same from the outside, so only YOU will know it's actual displacement.
You want a sleeper? Start with a 400 small block. Now THAT'S a sleeper. No blower required. Sleepers don't use power adders unless they're well hidden.
all i have to do is point at the 400 and say, its a 305?
oh, and thats not cam lope... its misfiring, i think i burned a plugwire or somthing... yeeea..
#17
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Originally posted by nightrider87
Lets cool it guys. There are a 1000 posts on this site about 305 vs 350 and there's no reason to continue this one. There is no wrong or right, just logic here. Only reason to build a 305 is because you have one, its free, or you want to be different. Being slow for the sake of difference seems to draw some following...still, there are a number of fast 305s around here...Willie, Preston...etc
Lets cool it guys. There are a 1000 posts on this site about 305 vs 350 and there's no reason to continue this one. There is no wrong or right, just logic here. Only reason to build a 305 is because you have one, its free, or you want to be different. Being slow for the sake of difference seems to draw some following...still, there are a number of fast 305s around here...Willie, Preston...etc
I guess I’m just a little excentric? Anyone reasonably close to me have a 305 that they want to be rid of?
My question is why on earth would you switch from TPI to TBI?
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heh, well you still meet my requirements with the free aspect lol
...and aren't you really building the 305 because its displacement is better suited to the planned turbo for it??
...and aren't you really building the 305 because its displacement is better suited to the planned turbo for it??
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Car: 1988 Iroc-Z
Engine: L98
Transmission: 700R4
Originally posted by '86Twins
So I guess I'm dumb. Many people are very closed minded here. And tell me I'm stupid all you want, but I enjoy being different. As to the original poster, you have your options, find a 350 to rebuild, or just dig into you 305. Difference in price will be the price to buy the 350 block, nothing else will be groslly different. Choose whats best for you.
So I guess I'm dumb. Many people are very closed minded here. And tell me I'm stupid all you want, but I enjoy being different. As to the original poster, you have your options, find a 350 to rebuild, or just dig into you 305. Difference in price will be the price to buy the 350 block, nothing else will be groslly different. Choose whats best for you.
#20
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Originally posted by nightrider87
heh, well you still meet my requirements with the free aspect lol
heh, well you still meet my requirements with the free aspect lol
...and aren't you really building the 305 because its displacement is better suited to the planned turbo for it??
#21
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Car: 1986 Pontiac Firebird
Engine: 305 LG4
Transmission: T-5 NWC
XjoshX I live in Southern Mass, down in Norton. Im' minutes from Great Woods, if you know where that is. I have been there, but there's not alot of activity, so I visit from time to time and read up on stuff. And having a 305 isn't really all that different, it's just different from a performance stand point.
#23
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The only deficiencies that the 305 really has are airflow and displacement.
Displacement first- look at the 5.0 fords, is that holding them back? How about the mod motor fords? Enough there… displacement is great for power, but for a street car, with today’s gas prices… not necessary.
Air flow. I’ve gotten over 230cfm at .050” with a 1.94” intake out of a set of vortec heads in a 3.75” bore… Unless you’re building an all out race car that’s a lot, more then enough to feed a 305 to 7500rpm (way out of street car range). Let’s say you don’t want to sit and tinker with a grinder, don’t want to pay someone and can’t justify the cost of some AFR’s…. You can cover up many airflow deficiencies with boost.
Past that the smaller bore has some nice advantages with detonation control, timing… When you start talking about boost at torque peaks, pump gas… that adds up to a big advantage. Lastly, ask some of those 305 TBI guys what kind of mpg they’re getting, then find me someone with a 350 coming even close… So if you could realistically build 1000hp with a boosted 305 or 1100hp with a 350, but you’ll never use more then 500 from either on your street/strip car, or 400 in your truck, then why not take advantage of some of the 305’s advantages?
Displacement first- look at the 5.0 fords, is that holding them back? How about the mod motor fords? Enough there… displacement is great for power, but for a street car, with today’s gas prices… not necessary.
Air flow. I’ve gotten over 230cfm at .050” with a 1.94” intake out of a set of vortec heads in a 3.75” bore… Unless you’re building an all out race car that’s a lot, more then enough to feed a 305 to 7500rpm (way out of street car range). Let’s say you don’t want to sit and tinker with a grinder, don’t want to pay someone and can’t justify the cost of some AFR’s…. You can cover up many airflow deficiencies with boost.
Past that the smaller bore has some nice advantages with detonation control, timing… When you start talking about boost at torque peaks, pump gas… that adds up to a big advantage. Lastly, ask some of those 305 TBI guys what kind of mpg they’re getting, then find me someone with a 350 coming even close… So if you could realistically build 1000hp with a boosted 305 or 1100hp with a 350, but you’ll never use more then 500 from either on your street/strip car, or 400 in your truck, then why not take advantage of some of the 305’s advantages?
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Car: 91 Camaro Vert
Engine: 02 LS1, HX40
Transmission: 2002 LS1 M6
Originally posted by 89gta383
What's gonna happen when there is nothing left in the boneyard but 305 blocks? Somebody's gotta use'm.
What's gonna happen when there is nothing left in the boneyard but 305 blocks? Somebody's gotta use'm.
thats why theres aftermarket castings.
and by the time theres only 305 blocks, 99% of us will have moved onto LS1 or better motors... hopefully.
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Originally posted by 83 Crossfire TA
The only deficiencies that the 305 really has are airflow and displacement.
Displacement first- look at the 5.0 fords, is that holding them back? How about the mod motor fords? Enough there… displacement is great for power, but for a street car, with today’s gas prices… not necessary.
The only deficiencies that the 305 really has are airflow and displacement.
Displacement first- look at the 5.0 fords, is that holding them back? How about the mod motor fords? Enough there… displacement is great for power, but for a street car, with today’s gas prices… not necessary.
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Displacement first- look at the 5.0 fords, is that holding them back? How about the mod motor fords?
ford 5.0L (mustangs) would lose to a 350 tpi(iroc-z,trans am).
Ford`s 4.6L mod motors would lose to a LT1 or LS1.alright maybe 4.6 4v motor might "hang"or beat a LT1.
bigger motor=go faster
i went from a 305 to a 350(+.060) ,so now i go faster.If i were to do a swap again id go big block (454 or bigger).
displacement is great for power, but for a street car, with today’s gas prices… not necessary
Lets say it takes 40 hp to go 60 mph in a camaro.u install a 2.5L 4 banger,you`ll notice your right foot on the gas pedal is close to the floor to achieve 60 mph.now u install a 502 v8 ,your right foot moves the pedal maybe an inch to go 60 mph.It`s the remaining inches to the floor that kill your gas mileage.
lead foot=bad gas mileage
#30
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Oh, this is just plain dumb. For most years the HO or TPI 305 was rated similarly and actually made more power then the same year’s 302. The reason that 3rd gens weren’t the first [cheap] performance choice over the mustang was that Typically, an L69, LB9 or L98 f-body was priced at 1.5-almost 2x what a 5.0 was (especially a stripper LX, and this varied a lot per year), and was typically 2-400lbs heavier (again, especially when compared to a stripper LX, but even when compared to a GT which are commonly in the 3200# range, where a stripper formula or camaro is typically in the 3400# range).
As far as gas mileage goes, yea, it’s basically how much energy does it take to overcome air and road drag + friction, but the bore/chamber geometry of a 305 is actually more efficient at part throttle (where ultimate breathing capacity isn’t an issue) as compared to a 350 (or even a ford 302). If you don’t believe it go poke around the TBI board and see what kind of gas mileage some of them are getting (almost all 305’s, that’s the only real reason why I suggest that you go there). You won’t see anything even close from an L98 or even a mustang (which was more likely to have a 5 speed, much less weight and narrower tires, all things that should help mileage). If you want another perfect example of this look at the spark advance map from a 305 car vs a 350 chip.
As far as gas mileage goes, yea, it’s basically how much energy does it take to overcome air and road drag + friction, but the bore/chamber geometry of a 305 is actually more efficient at part throttle (where ultimate breathing capacity isn’t an issue) as compared to a 350 (or even a ford 302). If you don’t believe it go poke around the TBI board and see what kind of gas mileage some of them are getting (almost all 305’s, that’s the only real reason why I suggest that you go there). You won’t see anything even close from an L98 or even a mustang (which was more likely to have a 5 speed, much less weight and narrower tires, all things that should help mileage). If you want another perfect example of this look at the spark advance map from a 305 car vs a 350 chip.
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Originally posted by daverr
ford 5.0L (mustangs) would lose to a 350 tpi(iroc-z,trans am).
ford 5.0L (mustangs) would lose to a 350 tpi(iroc-z,trans am).
Last edited by LT1guy; 07-30-2004 at 09:34 PM.
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