I would like to know what kind of power i could get out of a mid eighties 305? From what i have heard about 305's, they are exactly the same as 350's but with a smaller displacement, Why then are 305's frowned upon as performance engines. Has anyone really ever tried to build one up for serious power and been successful? The reason i ask is because i am going to put a small block chevy in a conquest and i know where i can buy an excellent running 84 caprice for $200. Should i pass the caprice 305 up and find a 350? oh, this would be a carbed engine.
Thanks

 

Carbed 305 = SLOTH!!!!!! If you go 305...go with the TPI and get some half a$$ power!!!!

Later

 

The 305's reputation began with its introduction in the mid-70's as a smog motor, choked with emissions equipment. It has never really shed this image, whereas the 350 has always been known as a high performer.

Yes, you can build a 305. I've done it.

 

Of course you can get some good power out of the 305, I did it.

The reason why the 305 is frowned upon is because the small bore size limits your choices in performance cylinder heads. Where as the 350 (4.000 bore) you can run larger valves, thus creating more horsepower.

If you built it right, you can make a 305 move pretty good. But for the same money you can make a 350 go faster.

 

JUST BE CAREFUL WITH THAT CAPRICE....

many of those cars actually have the 267 V8 that is even worse that a 305.

Any engine can be made powerful...it just depends on how far you wanna go...how much you wanna spend.

If you wanna run 14s then you need to do some cam changing and intake and exhaust swaping to get you 305 to run in the 14's.....

with a 350 you could get there without changing the cam.

If I were you I would get a 350 and find some 305 heads....(port them and put 1.94 valves in them) Or buy Vortec Iron heads for 500.00-600.00 the pair!!

Slap that on your stock 350 short block with headers intake and a Holley carb....

you will run mid 14 no problem...decent gear and tire high 13's

just a thought....

BUT IT WORKS....you could spend about 2 grand.

 

NJ SPEEDER runs 2.02/1.60 valves on a stock 3.500" bore. From what Ive read (cant verify first hand) shrouding only occurs with cams that have lift above .525", which no one really runs in a 305 anyways. Maybe he'll chime in here.

Im sure ill be happy with my Vortec 305 tbi once I get all the bugs ironed out. Its trapping at 93 right now, but theres so much **** left to do its unreal.

 

Wait a second ... 2.02" plus 1.60" valves = 3.62" total diameter. How the heck did he put those valves in a 3.500" (267 cid standard bore) diameter bore engine. Why didn't he use a 3.736" (305 standard bore) or better yet a 4.005" (350 standard bore)?

 

I agree.

Maybe Chuck meant 3.736" bore instead of 3.500.

 

i don't understand why the ole mighty 305 gets frowned upon either:d you can definatley make that engine fast with the right set-up. i know cause i got one!!!
11.60-1/4
1.58-60 ft.
116-mph
150 shot

 

Doh! I was thinking a 3.500" stroke

 

He's exactly right. If you got the money you can make a 305 do whatever you want. Lets just pretend you're not a millionaire. So then a 350 would be a better choice. My buddy had his 305 sent out for a high performance rebuild, and it can't hang with my LT1 with bolt ons

 

Nonsense!!!

It is simply a matter of tuning that QJet to get excellent performance. Copy what's in my sig and you'll be cutting mid-14s and have a bunch of great parts to fit on that 350 when the 305 bites it

 

And what do you run in the quarter mile? Hopefully with heads and a cam it's better than 14's.

 

Haven't been to the track with it but the drag programs indicate mid-14s.

What is wrong with that?

 

check my signature... no internal work was done to my 305
14.5 in the 1/4