Genesyn

Ok, So I get that I shouldn't pour too much money into a 305. But I'm new at being a car guy, and I want to learn, so I want to start with what I have, and would love some advice from you guys who are more knowledgeable.

I've got an 85 TA 305 TPI 5.0L Automatic. It's all stock.

So far I've read that doing anything with headers is a waste, and that exhaust and intake upgrades are the way to go. Sounds like cool stuff to start learning on with the help of my other car guy friends.

What parts would you recommend to get the best performance while keeping a stock look? I figure I can maybe squeeze and extra 20-30HP out of this thing with some upgrades right? Nothing crazy, just fun.

five7kid

iTrader: (14)

Headers are a waste? Really? Where did you hear that?

How much deviation is allowed in your mind and still retain a "stock look"? Would aftermarket runners detract from that?

Headers and exhaust alone should yield 20-30 HP. Upgrade cam and valve springs would build on that - which cam depends on your answer to the runner question.

sofakingdom

iTrader: (1)

Nothing wrong with improving a 305, as long as you don't touch the short block. That's the point where you would depart from the path of wisdom.

Headers = exhaust. Kinda hard to "upgrade" the "exhaust" without installing them. All that other stuff, those big parts, are mostly irrelevant.

Here's how it works: you find the ONE THING that most limits your car's performance; and you upgrade THAT ONE THING in a manner consistent with the rest of the car and your goals. That will then expose the next ONE THING most limiting to the car's performance; which will expose the next, which will expose the next, etc. etc. etc. until you're running with the Pro Stocks. Note that the upgrade might not be to the engine at all; suspension, torque converter, gears, exhaust, etc. all can make it MUCH faster and/or more fun to drive. For a bone stock 305 auto TPI, the ONE THING is the exhaust manifolds. After that, it's the converter. After that, it's gears.

As long as you leave TPI on it, there's not alot you can do to "the intake", without MAJORLY biting off on some $$$$. (I'm not talking about "intake" like the r¡cers do, where they are referring to the air filter and its little pipe, I'm talking about THE INTAKE) Forget that.

You have the 85 setup, which is by far the most mod-hostile version of TPI, but also has the best cam. (or one of the best anyway) I'd leave that part of it alone.

So there's your roadmap. A good-quality set of headers, specific to the 3rd gen F body chassis, ceramic coated, backed up with a new cat and a cat-back of your choice; a torque converter; and some gears.

Genesyn

And this is why I need you guys Being a newly minted car guy, I still get quite confused trying to follow the discussions.

My goal is ultimately to squeeze a few more HP out of the 305, without changing the external look of the car. When you look at it, I want it to be "wow, that looks like it rolled out of the factory". But with a little extra juice under the hood.

A roadmap is super helpful, so now I can start looking at more specific parts, and bugging my friends to help me.

NagleMac

iTrader: (1)

Headers and exhaust will give you what you want without emptying your wallet.

racerx520

iTrader: (1)

if you do anything to the 305, make sure its stuff that can be transferrable to a 350 IMO, incase you upgrade. by that i mean: headers, intake runners, pentum, and such.

You may want to also consider suspension upgrades, i know your thread talks about the 305 upgrades, but you get a better suspension, get better launch (although i hardly noticed anything after putting in new shocks, subframe connectors, and "wonder bar")

Also, if its a driving around car, not anything for the highway, consider changing the rear ratio. My 3.73's help me take off great with my 305, but at 70mph, i'm at about 3-3500 rpms

Genesyn

It's a daily driver, so I don't wanna go too nuts, but I definitely am gonna look into suspension upgrades.

rockstarr4

Hey Genesyn, I'm just down the road from you in Auburn. I have an 84 with the carb'd 305. I would vote for the headers and cat back as 1st mods. In my case after doing that, I got rid of all the emission controls (no emmission tests after the car is 25 yrs old in WA ) and upgraded the distributer to a non-computer unit w/vacuum advance. After that, I installed a Holley carb and Edelbrock intake manifold (although you will want to keep your EFI).

At this point the engine purrs at idle and is much stronger and smoother running than stock. To increase my driving pleasure even more, I swapped out the 4-speed auto tranny for a T5 manual. It's not a daily driver for me today, but it certainly could be!

I'd be happy to talk shop with you if you ever wanted to drop by . . .

ABNglocker

my 92 305 TPI has under drive pulleys, MSD coil, new distributor, 8mm plug wires, shift kit, shorty headers, high flo cat, 3" exhaust, flow master muffler, sfc, K&N air filters, and 3.73 posi. This is my DD and I manage to get around 17 MPG while driving like a 27 year old going through a mid life crisis. I'm about to redo all suspension before I decide if I want to go LSx conversion or blown and carbed 383 sticking through my cowl hood!

Genesyn

Sounds good to me I'll take all the advice I can get. I think we need to organize a south king county meetup or something