305 tbi heads
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Car: 91' Camaro RS
Engine: 305 TBI V8
Transmission: 700/R4
Axle/Gears: Stock
305 tbi heads
Hey guys,
Deciding between rebuilding my heads or just replacing them. I have a 1991 305 tbi. Is there a source for remanufactured or new heads for this engine? Is there a way to find my casting number without pulling the valve covers? I know if I replace the heads with anything other than what's on there now I'll need a tune.
Thanks
Bill
Deciding between rebuilding my heads or just replacing them. I have a 1991 305 tbi. Is there a source for remanufactured or new heads for this engine? Is there a way to find my casting number without pulling the valve covers? I know if I replace the heads with anything other than what's on there now I'll need a tune.
Thanks
Bill
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Re: 305 tbi heads
more than likely you have the 'beloved' 187 castings with it being a LO3 motor, casting #'s are under the valve covers in between the valves and under one of the middle intake runners will have the last 3#'s also if the intake is off... I don't think you can really tell otherwise. I was just looking at this topic last night on TG.O and it depends what u are looking at as far as heads go, the 305 needs the smaller chambers to keep CR up but also has smaller valves so the flow potential is going to suffer, reports of minor porting and opening up the bowl help a bit, of course the rpm is going to be limited due to the swirl vane. these tbi motors were designed with emissions/mpg/torque in mind and at the time, the technology didn't allow much for 'performance'..
have ya gotten much of the, 'just get a 350' yet?.. I have, I know the feeling of just dumping the motor, I see them as an underdog and they prob always will, though the new injection systems and heads give the 305 more potential than they had before..
have ya gotten much of the, 'just get a 350' yet?.. I have, I know the feeling of just dumping the motor, I see them as an underdog and they prob always will, though the new injection systems and heads give the 305 more potential than they had before..
Last edited by sbc lover; 03-10-2014 at 05:20 PM.
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Car: 91' Camaro RS
Engine: 305 TBI V8
Transmission: 700/R4
Axle/Gears: Stock
Re: 305 tbi heads
The motor is burning oil. But it only has 110k miles so it has plenty of life left. I could probably just refresh the heads but it would be alot easyer to just put new heads on. I know a local shop that will sell me remanufactured assembled 187 heads for only $300. What heads came on the TPI engines? I'm right that assuming any heads other than stock will require a tune to run right?
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Re: 305 tbi heads
I have been looking around for a set of rebuilt 187s and most places will charge that with exchange or valve job on yours, so not bad if it is a reputable shop.. you can even get a set of tpi heads for that outright somtimes.. 081 is the TPI head which is a centerbolt version of the 416 H.O. head before 87 for the 305, flow is slightly greater than the TBI heads and you should be able to use those also with no tuning mods with everything else staying the same on your LO3. Keep in mind, as you make mods to that engine, if there is much change in any way, the stock tune will not accommodate it as the injectors will be feeding stock parameters. So, yes, If you put stock TPI 305 heads on a stock TBI 305, it should be able to accommodate the increased flow. Now that's with everything else being stock, change out the cam or put on a free flowing exhaust, the stock tune wont handle much more hp... hope this helps
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Re: 305 tbi heads
Might as well throw it out there.....
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/engi...-cylinder.html
I've still got a set of used stock ( not rebuild ) 081 heads I could sell too.
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/engi...-cylinder.html
I've still got a set of used stock ( not rebuild ) 081 heads I could sell too.
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#9
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Car: 1983 G20 Chevy
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: 4L60
Axle/Gears: 14 bolt with 3.07 gears
Re: 305 tbi heads
To run ANY OTHER HEAD than the 187 your TBI ECM will need to be recalibrated. Even when it is recalibrated you will lose torque EVERYWHERE under 4,500 rpm compared to the swirl ports.
#10
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Re: 305 tbi heads
I am going to leave it at this. In my car, I hit the wall at about 220 RWHP with the stock SP heads from the LO3. I changed NOTHING else but the heads, and picked up 30 HP at the wheels. In my book, end of story, at least the 305 heads, in stock form hit a wall. If you are going to buy/build a set of heads, why bother.............
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/tbi/...ads-why-2.html
I was faced with the same choice in the past; rebuild swirl ports or use TPI heads. Once completed the swap I never noticed any drop in TQ after making the TPI head swap,........ then again; I swapped to 3.42 gears at the same time.
Other "mods" were a Full TPI exhaust, Smog Delete, and an "HO" air cleaner.
Could the 'tuning' have used a tweak,... probably. I continued to use the stock 91 TBI ECM. It was never recalibrated and I was very satisfied with the cars "performance". Did I loose HP / TQ....... Couldn't tell Ya'. If I did, I never missed it. Please; understand that I'm not arguing that I did or didn't, I am simply trying to explain that the 'need' for programing is often exagerated. EVERY car with a fuel injector will beneift from a proper ECM/PCM 'tune'.
Last edited by John in RI; 03-11-2014 at 11:40 AM. Reason: Added pic
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Car: 1983 G20 Chevy
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: 4L60
Axle/Gears: 14 bolt with 3.07 gears
Re: 305 tbi heads
From a thread you might remember:
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/tbi/...ads-why-2.html
I was faced with the same choice in the past; rebuild swirl ports or use TPI heads. Once completed the swap I never noticed any drop in TQ after making the TPI head swap,........ then again; I swapped to 3.42 gears at the same time.
Other "mods" were a Full TPI exhaust, Smog Delete, and an "HO" air cleaner.
Could the 'tuning' have used a tweak,... probably. I continued to use the stock 91 TBI ECM. It was never recalibrated and I was very satisfied with the cars "performance". Did I loose HP / TQ....... Couldn't tell Ya'. If I did, I never missed it. Please; understand that I'm not arguing that I did or didn't, I am simply trying to explain that the 'need' for programing is often exagerated. EVERY car with a fuel injector will beneift from a proper ECM/PCM 'tune'.
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/tbi/...ads-why-2.html
I was faced with the same choice in the past; rebuild swirl ports or use TPI heads. Once completed the swap I never noticed any drop in TQ after making the TPI head swap,........ then again; I swapped to 3.42 gears at the same time.
Other "mods" were a Full TPI exhaust, Smog Delete, and an "HO" air cleaner.
Could the 'tuning' have used a tweak,... probably. I continued to use the stock 91 TBI ECM. It was never recalibrated and I was very satisfied with the cars "performance". Did I loose HP / TQ....... Couldn't tell Ya'. If I did, I never missed it. Please; understand that I'm not arguing that I did or didn't, I am simply trying to explain that the 'need' for programing is often exagerated. EVERY car with a fuel injector will beneift from a proper ECM/PCM 'tune'.
#12
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Re: 305 tbi heads
What 'tune' were you adjusting ?? Did you really install TBI induction on that 305 HO ?? What harness and ECM/Chip was used ?? Was there a Cam swap of porting involved ?? And to state the OBVIOUS, regardless of why they were installed; the addition of 350 injectors on a 305 engine is going to REQUIRE an ECM tune.
Based on what I just read that example is VERY different that the OP,.... an apples to oranges comparision. You custom built an engine by ( at least ) putting centerbolt heads on a flat tappet motor & converted it to fuel injection. He's talking about an 305 LO3 to TPI head swap - ONLY.
Based on what I just read that example is VERY different that the OP,.... an apples to oranges comparision. You custom built an engine by ( at least ) putting centerbolt heads on a flat tappet motor & converted it to fuel injection. He's talking about an 305 LO3 to TPI head swap - ONLY.
#13
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Car: 1983 G20 Chevy
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: 4L60
Axle/Gears: 14 bolt with 3.07 gears
Re: 305 tbi heads
What 'tune' were you adjusting ?? Did you really install TBI induction on that 305 HO ?? What harness and ECM/Chip was used ?? Was there a Cam swap of porting involved ?? And to state the OBVIOUS, regardless of why they were installed; the addition of 350 injectors on a 305 engine is going to REQUIRE an ECM tune.
Based on what I just read that example is VERY different that the OP,.... an apples to oranges comparision. You custom built an engine by ( at least ) putting centerbolt heads on a flat tappet motor & converted it to fuel injection. He's talking about an 305 LO3 to TPI head swap - ONLY.
Based on what I just read that example is VERY different that the OP,.... an apples to oranges comparision. You custom built an engine by ( at least ) putting centerbolt heads on a flat tappet motor & converted it to fuel injection. He's talking about an 305 LO3 to TPI head swap - ONLY.
Obviously the 350 injectors required tuning, they had to be installed to compensate for a lean condition that caused the engine to buck and surge and even backfire at WOT.
As for the timing the non swirl heads require up to 10° more timing and the additional timing is non linear.
Last edited by Fast355; 03-11-2014 at 08:15 PM.
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