Mike305RS

Hey guys, I just made my first venture into the V8 world after driving Hondas for 10 years(none of them riced out either), so I know my way around a garage but my new engine bay looks VERY unfamiliar.

Anyway, I picked up a 91 RS with 103k on it and it seems to run pretty damn well. I need a tailight, a fender and a paint job but mechanically it seems to be good.

How great is the performance difference between the 305 and the 350? The torque numbers stock do not seem to be far off and I can definatley feel that the motor has some power. Is the 305 a good performer with some bolt ons such as headers and or exhaust alone? What kind of intake parts will make power? Or is it not even worth it to spend the money and I should just get a crate motor?

I know I need gears, this thing is a pig from a dead stop but goes very well on the highway. How well will say some 3.73 or 4.10 gears in the rear fare with my overdrive tranny? Also are the engine internals very stout? Do they hold up to boost or nitrous well if it's in good running order with good compression and such?

ryan91rs

iTrader: (1)

well i'm a 305 TBI guy so i'm gonna shoot straight with you. 1st of all welcome!! glad to hear you enjoy your new car!

The 305 is what we call a smog motor. It was produced to be a V8 that would meet strict restrictions given in states such as California. It was a response to govt groups like the EPA who don't like smog (who does).

Now the 305 is much different than the 350. The 350 can be bored (cut inside for bigger pistons). The 305 can barley. Also the 305 is has a tiny stroke and a relatively weak bottom end.

NOW, you will find people that will tell you it is possible to get 300hp+ with a 305. Yes possible but the machining, parts and time vs. a 350 with similar power is much greater. The 350 has many parts avil. while the 305 is limited.

if you want cheap horsepower and ease then drop the 305 and get a 350. now IMO (which some might think is worth less then a seagull poop) the 305 is a smog motor BUT it is very reliable. If you treat it right it will bring you pt. A to B every time. It won't snap you head back but it will give you 22+ mpg and give you a V8 sound and feel.

SO do you want? raw power for the drag, a race car, a street strip, a daily driver with ***** or a 305 that will get you there but not as fast as some.

You can upgrade the 305 but the same mods on a 350 will result in much higher power. yes you can do almost anything on the 305 but reliability becomes the main concern. NOT all SBC are made for the same thing, each has it's own characteristic and purpose.

Mike305RS

Hmmm, well I guess I want a street/strip car. I'd like it to do a mid 13 all motor and then maybe squeeze it for a 12. If I were to do gears and a cat back that would work later down the line if I upgraded the motor so maybe that wouldnt be a bad idea?

I'd like the car to be reliable, as in I can start it in most weather, and it will idle at a stop light, and not throw a rod if I step on it.

blackphoenix

Welcome to the forum. I also have a Honda in addition to my 2 -3rd Generations & it is a different world. I love imports & they are good reliable cars but when it comes to raw power & feeling the mighty roar of the V8 on the road NOTHING compares. It is adrenaline in the purest form. I agree with the post prior.
In addition I do not know if I personally would hook NOS up to a stock 305 with 113K on it. If you are ready for a new motor then go ahead have some fun but be prepared to start having some major issues. If it doesn't send a rod through the hood. You can tune NOS to certain Horsepower gains, probably get a 50lb shot for a few times at least but why put money into a STOCK 305? Why go little when you can go big. The performance difference between a stock 305 & a small block crate 350 is well worth the trouble b/c you could build the new motor to handle heavier shots of NOS for even more horsepower & performance. Good luck with your project. Hope this reply may help.

Mike305RS

I've used Nitrous in a few honda motors and as long as the engine was healthy it didn't really matter how many miles were on them. As long as compression was good and you gave enough fuel they ran well. I don't know **** about Chevy motors though I'm glad you came through!

I think probably what I'll do is get a nice 3" exhaust, and a rear end with posi and some lower gears. That will let me have a little more fun with the 305, and then maybe next summer I'll put a crate motor in.