I have a 305 tpi completely stock and it runs great. But of course I want more power. The problem is it is behind a very light car and a very weak transmission that won't take much torque to brake. I already shattered 3 CV joints 280-300ft/lb is about the max. Now the question. Would it be worth it to put on headers and possibly ported heads/cam to make more power with the 305 or just swap in a 350 bock using the tpi components. I would like to stay away from carbs since I have already done the wiring and cutting of the firewall/trunk to make the tpi intake fit. I want more upper rpm horsepower. I don't need more low end torque, where it is at now is plenty to roast the tires. the car just falls flat in the upper rpm's and with the gearing I'm running about 3500 rpm at 70 in 5th gear.

 

I would of course recommend a 350, I think it is an all around more versatile engine with many more upgrades available. Just swap in a cam that is only strong in the upper rpm range.

Just my opinion though,

Jeremy

By the way, do you have any pictures of your 914? That's a project i've wanted to do for a long time.

 

TPI was the wrong fuel injection system to pick if you want high RPM performance. TPI falls on its face by 5,000 RPM....

- Justin

 

Do you think converting to carb will help any. maybe a good intake and carb combo with shorty headers.

 

Don't get a carb. Buy a Holley Stealth Ram- its like $500. A tiny bit less torque but ALOT more peak horsepower- especially up top. It pulls to around 7K. All of the TPI sensors convert over too for a simple install. Headers are ALWAYS worth doing, and they work on 350s if you choose to upgrade one day.

 

... i dont think you wanna rev a 305 to 7000rpm without doing a lot of bottom end work, and then if you do bottom end work, and new cam (since stock cam won't produce over 4500rpm anyway), whatnot, you'd be far better off with more displacement, a 350 is a lot cheaper to work on, more torque and versatility, but you can't put that TPI on a 350 and get it to feed up top without major modifications.

my recommendation, go with a 350, your transmission and engine mounts, exhaust everything will bolt right up, but that 305, though it will run on 5-6 cylinders, for performance it's lacking, for durability and mileage it's pretty good

just my .02