DCJLove

I know that there are some 'net resources out there for info on upgrades and mods to motoirs, but I want some human feedback: what, in your opinion, should be my first choice as far as upgrades to my LG4 goes and WHY?

You can see in my sig block that I have some "easy" upgrades in an aftermarket intake and carb with the requisite K&N performance filter and air cleaner. But what territory should I look into for better performance considering cost, difficulty, and bang for the buck?

Rice Killer87

Kinda a hard question....let me make it easier,How much HP do you want/How fast do you want to go in the 1/4?

I'm guessing your car is your daily driver,or is it just your toy?

DCJLove

The gent I bought the car from said he put in an aftermarket cam, but can't recall what!! He said it was mated to the Holley Street Dominator intake that was originally on there.

Any good suggestion for heads that will still mate with the emissions gear? (Yes, I live in an emissions testing area.)

The car is a (limited) daily driver, about 10 miles round trip commuting, and for fun cruising, varies but about 50 miles per weekend of fun.

Forgive my dumbass question, but is the 2.73 the rear end gear or does it refer to the overall trans gearing? Can you recommend a specific performance tranny or rear end gear?

DCJLove

HP: as much as I can afford!

1/4: as fast as I can!

Seriously, I am looking for more horses and more acceleration but I won't be taking it to the track or racing for pinks. I just want to dust annoying rice rockets at traffic lights.

Phantomfe3

since you dont know what cam is in it, it could be close to stock. i would vote for getting a new camshaft (As big as possible)

markinkc69z

A 4" bore block, pistons, rings. I realize that the 305 is what you have but you are going to beat your head against the wall trying to make any real power. If you're not feeling the 350 swap then get the bottle and some 3.42 gears.

rudyt5000

get some headers and a y-pipe, and to make it sound nice some flowmasters, i had a 305 and headers really woke it up from 15.4 down to 14.9...And since you got a carb even better to make power cheaper , just to add every bolt on and transfer it to a 350 once you get bored of the 305.

Bluebird5.0

I don't know about the "best" overall but the best thing I did to my LG4 was put an Edelbrock performer on and a new carb. This made a HUGE difference for my TA. Then I got a 3.08 rearend.

teke184

the 2.73 refers to the rear end ratio.

a good step up would be 3.08s or 3.23s...both were available in the 3rd gens so finding a used rear would be a fairly easy and cheap option. or just step up to new parts. you could also look into some 3.42s from the 4th gens. used they sell cheap from all the guys upgrading their LT1s and LS1s.

the biggest drawback on the LG4 is the cam. and as someone stated, not knowing what cam is in it is almost as bad as having the stock one. i say upgrade. there are plenty of affordable cam/spring/lifter kits out there.

for heads you could upgrade to some World S/R torquer 305s...assembled for about $800.

add on some roller rockers, maybe even higher ratio to boost lift. and you could pick up some good power with minimal effort.

89_Irocz

The best upgrade is a 350....lol thats what I did.

DCJLove

LOL Nice suggestion!

I am interested in doing a swap down the road. How complex an operation is it? My car started life as a 305 TPI, then became a 4bbl when it was rebuilt. To now go to a 350, what would be involved? I understand that the motor mounts and such are fine, but would there be complications as far as electrical, transmission, or something else?

Discounting the cost of the motor itself, what would the cost of the work on the swap run me? (I don't have the equipment or knowledge to do it myself.)

DCJLove

The car came (in January when I bought it) with no emissions gear at all, so I failed miserably. $1500 and a new intake with an EGR system later, she is clean as spring air!! You can do it with the carb, but it isn't as easy.

85_305

and a full hi-perf. catback

Z28Horn

If you are running low on funds, i would suggest at LEAST porting your stock heads. An aftermarket camshaft isn't going to make that big of a difference on your stock heads as they sit. Do some searching online for pocket porting and cleaning up your heads around the valve area. Remember not to over do it either, that will kill you're velocity. A nice set of valve springs and rocker arms would hurt either. Of course everything stated above should be installed after your basic bolt ons, full exhaust, gearing, etc.

Zach

95 N2OT/A

swap to an LT1

you can pick up a nice one with 60-80k miles with all accessories and everything else needed to run for about $1300

then you can sell all your 305 stuff to make back some of it

plus you'll get better mpg's with it

just my 2c

thanks
robbie