My girlfriend currently has an 82 z28 with a 305 auto. Lately the engine has been making alot bad noises, ecspecially under load. I will look into fuel problems first, but if all else fails i've found a 305 ho out of a trans am that i may try to install. What problems might i come accross, how much power gain shoul I expect.

 

it wont help that much. sure it will be a bit faster but i think where its an 82 you should swap in a carb 350. more power for the dollar there are i believe before 83 you dont have to do emissions. but i could be wrong. someone correct me if i am.

 

I wouldn't waste my time with putting in another 305, but the HO motors did have quite a bit more power. They were good for low/mid 15 second 1/4s, but then again that's partly due to the HO cars having 5 speeds with 3.73 posi rears.

The HO motors had more power because of a much better cam, much better exhaust manifolds, y-pipe, cat & catback. Unfortunately, if you just replace motors, the better cam is really all you're taking advantage of, so your gains will be minimial.

 

One of the best low buck swaps I did was to replace a worn out 305 with a cheap GM Targetmaster "universal replacement" 350. It's literally a bolt-in and will take all your stuff off the 305. Since it's rated at 250 HP it was a LOT more powerful than the wheezing 305 ever was. Honestly, it felt like we dropped a second engine under the hood. This car had a slightly upgraded exhaust as the only real "mod."

The stock computer controlled carb system adapted to the larger 350 jsut fine. It's not as "finicky" as an FI system when it comes to displacement upgrades.

Available as a long block with all the tin already installed for $1100 from many sources. Bolt on your intake, exhaust and accessories and drop it in.

 

you wont feel any major gains but atleast it would be a new engine that dosen't make alot of noise