A friend of mine has 2 impala lowriders, one of which he is dropping in a ls1. He is pulling the set-up he has now and wants to sell it. Chevy 305 with powerglide trans. and the list below. All parts are brand new never installed. I priced what he has and came to over $1500. HLY-12-834 Pump Fuel Chrome HOLLY ACC-0140C Coil Super stock MCH-20450 March Performance Pulley Kit EDL- 1208 Air Cleaner Round 1 EDL-1404 500 CFM Carb EDL-21011 Intake Manifold POLISHED EDL-4405 Breather cap EDL-4410 Breather Round Chrome STAINLESS hardware for everything, ****on head TUFF STUFF chrome water pump TUFF STUFF CHROME 140amp Alternator TUFF STUFF CHROME Saginaw power steering reservoir He wants a 1000 for everything motor, trans, and the list. Here is my dilema, I have read plenty of info on the 305 about them being a joke and why waste time etc.. I am new to american cars (never too late to learn), I want to get 350-400hp for my 54 pickup. Should I: A) buy the whole thing, stroke the 305? B) buy everything, buy a 350, use the list and sell the motor? c) screw it all and just go out and find a 350 and start from new? Sorry for my questions, I am trying to learn and really have no idea where to start. I have read a couple times of 305's putting out 350-380hp. How much $$ am I looking at spending on the 305? Worth it? This is not going to be a daily driver if that makes a difference. Thanks for your help. Andrew
Clearly this is just my opinion, but unless you're going for the "shock" factor by telling people you have a 350hp Chevy 305, I'd skip it. You can budget build a plethora of other better and more "period correct' motors for comparable change. A 350 isn't a terrible place to start, you could probably buy a 350hp version for under $1000 if you looked hard enough, and with enough patience.
makes sense. Not so iinterested in the wow factor or period correct. just weighing options and trying to hit the 350-400hp markers without spending the most $$ doing it.
So much depends on what you want from an engine, ie: in what vehicle and what use. Also depends on what the age and condition is of the 305. What you list is essentially a collection of accessories and bling pieces. If you want 350hp and strip use this package is the wrong place to start (except for maybe the P Glide). If you want a cruising low ride that's good on gas with some brisk performance the 305 would be OK especially if it's a newer (90ish -up) roller cam). Is this for the Chevy AD in your avatar?
Hey Jackdarabbit, Definately not a strip car. If strip were the goal, it would be a 350 twin turbo. The main goal is just to cruise the street and have a little pep while being practical. Chose the 350-400 mark, due to the fact that folks with AD trucks have told me anything over that just gets wasted without 4link and street slicks. I plan to just drive around and hang out in it, but dont want some slug *** **** truck. The truck in the avatar is getting the motor. This is my first cl***ic build. Loving every minute of it and regret not getting a cl***ic 14 years ago when I started driving. Thanks guys for your help!
The 305 certainly wouldn't be the direction I'd take, given your power expectations. Basic race car technology says that the best way to increase horsepower (not necessarily torque) is to increase the bore of an engine. The theory is that, for maximum power, you want to minimize piston travel to keep down internal friction, which means minimizing the stroke. Torque is the offsetting theory. All things being equal, in a longer stroke engine, the rods have more leverage on the crank and produce more torque (gross simplification, but basically true). Since there are limits to everything, engine builders searching for more power end up striking the best balance they can between bore and stroke. All that said, the easiest way to increase POWER (both horsepower and torque) and maintain drivability is to increase displacement. The 305 is a VERY small-bore motor with a relatively long stroke (3.736 bore by 3.484 stroke), so what you have an engine with a bore smaller than a 283 combined with a 350 crank... definitely not a good combination if you're looking for big power. You'd be much better off going with a 350 (or even better, something like a 388). More displacement also lets you produce good power without resorting to high compression, [although if you decide to use aftermarket pistons, piston/rod choice would still be an issue to be resolved between you an your engine builder]. Using a 350 or larger engine would let you reach your horsepower goals without resorting to expensive modifications and would normally let you run a relatively high horsepower engine on pump gas. As far as what goes ON the engine, in my experience, the best bang-for-your-buck comes from (1) a good exhaust system [headers and free-flowing mufflers], (2) a good set of aftermarket heads [Dart, etc.], (3) induction [carb or injection] matched to the engine displacement and (4) whatever camshaft your engine builder or [better yet] cam grinder recommends based on 1, 2, and 3. Bottom line... p*** on the 305 and spend your money more wisely on an engine that better suits your needs. End ramble
There is an old but well-informed build thread here on 307's. Everything said in there also applies to the 305. They're both small-bore, long stroke engines. You'll probably not hit your 350-400 hp mark with that 305, but it should make plenty of TORQUE, which is what you feel going down the road. The side of bling isn't going to get you any faster than the engine is already. The carb and manifold are sized appropriately for the engine, so you may want them, but the rest is just shiny stuff. I'd offer him $500 for the running engine and another $200 for the carb and manifold. I can buy a running 350 almost any day for that. Has your truck been clipped? V8s do not fit well in these trucks with a stock front suspension. Devin
Great advise guys, I am learning alot just by reading here. 4pedals. the truck is sitting on an 88 s10 ch***is. The v8 brackets have been welded in place already. The 4.3 motor that sits in there currently has a **** ton of room left to play. the bling **** doesnt bother me so much. I like clean bays, minimal wiring (hidden as much as possibly). The logic behind buying it all is that its new parts, instead of taking a risk and buying broken stuff. just had a convesation with these guys http://www.speedomotive.com/ps-26-8-305-to-340cid-stroker-crank-kit.aspx stating 380hp.
I'd not use the 305 with expectations of making 350 hp. But, more importantly, why 350 hp in a cruiser? I'd not pay $1000 for a 305 even with all the bling. I was given a complete 305 and 400 ****** because I wouldn't even pay $100. It was an original motor, 75000 miles, running and driving well. around here, 305 are super cheap and tossed more than used. So my advice, is get a low mileage 305/400 (or 305/700r) combo from someone upgrading and drop it in for less than $500 while you build the hp motor you really want. If you want to byp*** this step, you can get a 350 hp crate motor, fuel injected for $1200.
Been a chevy man for 58 years,honestly the 305 and 307 were the two biggest mistakes chevy ever made! 265,283,302dz,327,350,400 smallblocks are the real chevy irons that made the smallblock great.
Don't do it. Years back car craft did a full house 305 build on a tuned port camaro. Using a blower and all the fine parts offered by their advertisers it still came up well short of 400hp. Small block chevy with that power level........383 stroker or 400. I wouldn't even **** with a 350. Just being honest after a couple decades of street small blocks in that power range. Good luck
okay... okay..... you beat it into my head. I will just go out for the 350. may just do a 355 or 383 then. Why 350hp in a cruiser.... why the hell not. HP is fun as hell.
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