build a chevy 305, why not???

I recently acquired a chevy 305 set up for TBI. Its from a late model camaro. People are telling me not to build a 305, they are pieces of junk. Tell me what you think, get rid of it and trade it for a 350, or build it. Thanks Daniel

 

my understanding is that they don't breathe so well. but what do i know.

 

opinions are like A holes the bigger the a hole the louder the opinion. They are good motors in my opinion they are even good power houses if you want to put the work into it. I run a early 70s 307 and get good gas mileage and have not had a problem in the 2 1/2 years I've been driving it on a daily bases.

 

Got one in a 55 chev. They do alright for lower end and midrange.The right cam ,headers, intake and carb and it do fine. 55 Chev is a little to much car for it but it still smokes em pretty good and not bad on gas. They breathe ok but not great for upper rpm. I'm happy with mine til the big motor is done. I say do it

 

I think either Car Craft or Chevy Rumble ran a resent article on building a motor smaller than a 350 .They made very good points on why in some cases the 305-7s are a better choice for a street car performance engine than a 350.They said it's the old bigger is better at***ude that has us thinking the only small block to build is the 350.It's the same with headers most header builders will tell you that the 50s-60s tri Ys are better for street performance but everyone wants what they see at the track on Sunday

 

don't 327/350 heads fit on 'em?

 

Thanks for the help everybody, i didnt really want to get rid of it, it was a free gift from my father in law. I was looking at running some bigger heads on it. It was supposed to be a 305 HO,well i ran the numbers, and it wasnt. On heads is 64cc or like a 76cc? 2.02 1.64 intake. This is going to be for my rat rod one day after i get done with my wifes 53 chevy 210.

 

I got one in my coupe. Runs fine. Same bottom end as a 350, just a smaller bore. I know there are a few minor differences, like the ballancer is thicker, same diameter though and some had smaller chambered heads to make them a little hotter. Mine has plenty of power for what I need. Maybe 200 horses, but runs smooth as gl***, don't get hot and don't use much gas. Best part is it sounds just like a V8, 'cause it is.
If it was cheap and in good condition and your not interested in gobs of power, I say run it.
Wanna really be different, make it a stroker by sticking in a 400 crank. Makes it around 330 cubes and has really good torque. Great for a heavy car with high gears.

 

whoa! to my knowledge the 305 never had 2.02 valves. Putting bigger heads on it will only drop the compression more and have it run like ****.Check the heads again and or run the block numbers to make sure but if it is a 305 with bigger heads you'll be wanting to change them

 

I really dont care about too much power, just something reliable and good for cruising. I will probably take off the TBI intake manifold and run a carb. I dont have anything for it to run the TBI, just the manifold.

 

It doesnt have the 2.02 on it now, i was just looking at getting new heads with the 2.02 on them. Someone had just tole me to put get the 64ccwith the 2.02. I will be honest i have no idea about them or what to get for the 305. I want a nice cam, and for it to run good. thats about it. lol.

 

if its free run it.... throw an edelbrock intake and carb on there and go for it. Don't bother messing with the internals or heads though.... you can spend a lot of money on these and the guy that spent half as much on a 350 will still out perform you. The good thing is anything you buy like intake, header's etc. will bolt on to a 350 or 400 sbc if you decide to upgrade later. keep in mind you can pick up a 305 in running condition for less than a C-note just about anytime.... there's a reason they can be had cheap.

 

What year is it? Is it rally a TBI or is it a TPI?

 

Ole' wives tale that 305's are junk!! Chevy had them in cars/trucks for YEARS right??? The only downfall is cubes! While there is NOTHING wrong with a 305, it is usually easier to get more power from displacement and a 327/350 is EASY!! BUT hey a 305 is bigger than a 265/283 right?? and there were tons or hot rods ripping up the streets "back then" with those!!! SO, DO IT!! The ONLY thing that I remember that is different from a 305 than a 350, is...bore size of block, and size of pistons along with the correct head gaskets!!! Cranks are the same (other than balance) con rods, brngs., heads, headers, intakes etc., etc., blah, blah, blah!!! ALL THE SAME, I say go ahead, the right combo of parts will make it run great! Compare that to one of those "backyard engine builders" (NO offense, I am one too) who buys the biggest cam, and the biggest double pumper carb, puts it on there stock 80's something camaro engine and then wonders why thier engine barely moves thier car!!!!!! JUST my opinion though...Ken

 

I'm not an engine builder guy, but I can tell you this much...DON'T believe everything that self promoting "buddies/experts" tell you.

My suggestion is to follow the lead of others here who have good running 305's and build it to match.

We just had a post on 305's...can't see how you missed it...do a search and also check the TECH ARCHIVE for Fat Hacks post on 305's.
They're a fuel economy engine, but its still a Chevy so it responds to the usual stuff and bolt on parts are cheap and available in local cl***ifieds.
It's an engine to drive and "play" with...not get super serious about.

 

I wouldn't put anything into/on it that couldn't be unbolted and put onto say...a 350.

 

Although the 400 you threw away for the crank would have been way better.

 

my opinion: if you have it , and it's rebuildable.....use it

 

Hi ...I have had a 305 with 3-2's and a 200r4 over/drive trans in my 51 Chevy for 6 yrs now and it runs great...I also have left many a newer car in the dust while on the highway....It is not a drag car but I did have it over 100 mph on the road and no problems....Other then the 3-2's and the point less distrubitor it is a stock motor....If you want more power then you will have to go bigger cubes etc..I am over drag racing and blowing up motors etc..I just want a good runner...Miller

 

Use the stock heads. 350 heads will drop the compression down too much. Probably in the 8:1 range. 327 heads will be ok but dont use the 2.02 valves. Bore is not big enough for them.

 

Just run it! The stock heads will breathe just fine up to about 5200, which is plenty of revs for a cruiser. And if you throw a cam at it or some 1:6 rockers, you definately shouldn't have a problem.

 

naaaaaaaa, I'll just post it if he hasn't found it yet...joe

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1494

http://www.streetmachinesoftablerock.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=435

 

Had one in my 55 from 98 till last year when my 383 was ready. The great thing about it was that it sounded good and went anywhere I wanted to go. Several trips to Vegas and Bakersfield and never a lick of problems. Little slow on takeoff but when you get em rolling they're great. Put a Edlebrock intake and 650 carb and a bigger cam in it and no one ever thought it was less then a 350. Wouldn't have traded it for the world at that point 'course I love love love my 383.

 

My '85 Camaro goes 13.x in road race trim with the stock 305. I cammed it, converted in to TPI, and put on headers but other than that stock uncracked engine (with 260k miles, btw).

The only real disadvantage vs a 350 (other than the 45 cubes) is that the small bore causes some valve shrouding issues with larger valves and you have to be careful 'cause some of the bigger ones won't clear the bore. I forget how big you can go right now but I think 2.02's will hit.


If you just want a motor for a weekend, car, it's as good as any other and better than most.

The TBI is junk however, and no matter what you do change the cam. Those LO3 cars (TBI 305's) had the smallest cam GM ever put in a SBC.

 

Thanks guys, I started the other thread on 305 chevs and I was in two minds, but now am looking for 305 heads and will run 3-2's with mild cam and put an auto behind it. In a fiber coupe for the street it will be a bit of fun ....cheers...

 

Biggest mistake I made was getting rid of the 305 I had. I have a 83 Camaro, ****** went out. Got a wrecked 85 IROC w/TPI and transplanted the whole setup- fueltank, trans, engine, exhaust- etc. That combe ran great, high 14's at the track on street tire, low 20's mileage. Then I got "smart" and replaced the longblock with a 350. Bad idea, not much quicker, much worse mileage- not as snappy. The 85 was an odd duck, GM cammed it well, dropped 20 degrees the next year.

 

AWESOME. Thanks for the help. I am now trying to figure my way around the HAMB thanks for the links.

 

The '85 Iroc was real-world faster than the '85 Vette.

Oops. Better De-tune the F-body the following year.

The LB9 (TPI 305) Had the same cam profile as the L98 (TPI 350)

It was the LG4 (Carby 305) and L03 (TBI) that had the "peanut" cam as we all so lovingly call it.

The real hot runner was the L69 305 however. Came in 83-85 HO Firebirds and Camaros. That was the one that was accidentally faster than the corvette. Not too common.

 

Ok well checked out the links. And if i had looked around on here longer i wouldnt have needed to post about the 305. Thanks for everyones opinion. Im going to build the 305, i aint scared... anymore

 

Why build a 305? It is what it is. You can buy a brand new 350 crate motor for $1400 that includes a warantee. But adding a decent cam, headers, performance manifold and 4 barrel you will be way ahead of the game for less $$$$$. Thats just my opinion.