chaos2084

Ok question I just picked up this car interior is ok shape needs cleaning and taken care of not sure of the miles but there's been some work done to it either it was wrecked or they repainted everything or maybe both. I read they only made 205 of them so my question is would it be worth keeping the original drive train in it? Or pull it out and do a carb'd 350. I would be happy with about 320 rwhp if I could get it out of the 305 and keep the 700r4 in it too.

cars3

205 were made of what? Your color, auto, manual. There were way more than 205 iroc's made in 1985 with tpi.

horridohutch

Never... I mean never will that 305 put out 320hp. I have seen some very nice gen3 Camaros with LS swaps in them I had an 88 IROC with a 305 and all it really could do was look fast, nice car but a slug. Good luck with whatever you decide to do....

chaos2084

I must of miss read something then

chaos2084

Ya a LS swap would be cool if you have 5,000$ to spend on a engine

cars3

Nothing wrong with a 305. My 89 formula has a 150hp 305, that I can squeal the tires with, and get 25 mpg on the highway. Does it have the power of your 305 tpi. No. I think you have a good engine with the tpi, I think horse power is somewhere around 190. I may be off by 10hp or so. There are still many aftermarket parts for the tpi engine that get good results. It will be hard to even get close to lt1's with a 305. You could get a used 350 tpi with wiring and computer and drop it in. I think the 350's are rated around 230-245 depending on year. Just remember 3rd gens were not designed to with stand the hp you are looking for with out some extra strength. Like sub frame connectors.

chaos2084

ya i plan to do subframe connectors and all that. My friend has a motor he took out of his nova not sure if its the original engine or what havent ran the block # yet. But I plan on using my tpi intake and everything on it if I ever want to switch. I think I got a list of all the parts to make it happen most of it I will get from a 85 Corvette which should work if I read it all correct. I like the 305 though just need a back up plan just incase something happens.

ws6transam

Hi Chaos,
I've experimented with the 305 in years back, and though the '85 is a nice and torquey fun engine, its not ever going to make 320 rwhp as a tuned port engine without a turbo, supercharger, or nitrous. The TPI is limited to making its power at 5000 to 5500 RPM and below due to the nature of those 17-inch long tube runners.

Also, the '85 IROC was a common car in it's day, but it's possible that after 29 years, there are a whole lot less of them in this world. It's hard to say. Nice ones are now rare, that is for sure.

Your TPI IROC will take some careful planning to make lots of power. The stock package is well balanced, but you can make it better but not without money, time, careful parts selection and work. If you just transfer the TPI induction system to a 350, you will only grow the motor by 45 cubic inches, and it'll likely run out of air before it ever gets beyond 5000 RPM. It's probably best to start with planning before buying parts. Start with a budget, then choose how you want to drive the car, and then pick a target performance level that matches your goals. Figure out the realistic costs, then revise the budget, followed by a revision of your power wants. Eventually you'll get to a compromise that works, Then it'll be time to start saving and buying your stuff.

Consider from the rear forward: Suspension needs to get the traction you want; Beefing up the 10-bolt axle, torque converter & transmisison mods, exhaust system, engine swap (if any), cylinder heads, camshaft, TPI intake & runners, (or else a completely different EFI altogether), brakes and suspension, etcetera, etcetera.

It's probably possible to set your sights on some high-13's in a quarter mile with a 305TPI, but anything faster will require a lot of work, expertise, and money. You might also want to click on that ad at the bottom of the page. 450HP Tristar engines for $4K ? Shoot, it took me that much in parts to build mine, let alone the the time.

smallblockhero58

Leave it stock get it as close to orginal as possible. do minor upgrades keep it clean, these cars deserve to be preserved not disturbed. you want 300hp go buy an ls1, I just picked one up for 3500$ put longtubes on it and a cold air sucker. runs 8.6 @83mph.