Ok, I'm 17 and working on trying to make a 305 run with or not better than an LT1 or LS1 (I can dream, can't I?). I plan I going pretty low budget but I have worked out this new combo to see about working for high 13's. 1st- rebuild the LB9 with a NAPA performance rebuild kit (I hear they're pretty good) 2nd-Summit racing TPI cam kit. 3rd-World S/R heads. and 4th- porting everything and add SLP runners and 1 5/8" headers. Do you think I can accomplish this and if so, what do you think I can run with this? HP or 1/4 mile? Thanks for any input, Dan

I realize everyone says this, but are you sure you want to rebuild the 305 and not find a 350?

N/A? its not going to happen. keep dreaming.


low budget and fast dont go together.. esp when you're handicapped by a non performance motor like the valve shrouding 305. you could spend twice the money and have a bad 305... but its powerlevel would be the same as a mild(imo) 350/400 SBC... and you wouldnt be in LT1 or LS1 territory.


so its a basic rebuild... theres nothing too special there... im not trying to bust your chops or anything, but this is a basic "performance" rebuild.. nothing special that will suddenly boost the power level of the 305.



do i think you could build that motor? yes. do i think you will be fast? no.
id expect a low 14... perhaps if everything went together perfectly you may touch the high 13s.

With those mods I don't really think so either though I guess it's possible.
If you're going to port everything anyway why not just port the stock parts and put the money somewhere else?

I'd suggest putting a great exhaust system on and a nitrous kit. That will probably get you the performance you're looking for. With good porting and some chip tuning you may be able to hang with some of the LT1 and LS1 cars out there.

I wouldn't rebuild the 305 unless I absolutely had to. Just give it the nitrous.

I think you'll need to do a little more as far as breathing goes.

Cold air intake
Ported plenum
Ported base
Port the World SR heads
Call comp cams for opinion on cam specs (now pick the cam)
Shorty headers
Catback

Free up some parasitic loss

Underdrive pulleys
A grounding kit (frees up a few horses)
Some weight reduction (at least 100lbs)

Transmission
2400 stall TC
transgo shift kit

Also - you might want to look into a rebuild that bumps the compression up. I'd say go for 10:1 pistons

I think that after all of THAT you'd be in the high 13s. What's most important here is the head and cam combo, you must get it absolutely perfect - if you don't you are cutting yourself short and you can't afford to do that because you are working with a 305.

Whats your budget?

I can pick out some pretty decent combo's that wont completely break the bank.

I should be able to kiss the high 12's on spray. but then again, i'm doing it just to do it in a 305. after that, the car is going to be just a weekend cruiser, and i'll start back into a full drag VW beetle to race with at bugouts.

My budget is about $400 a month until I get the thing goin', but I figured I could get a lot better than the reviews I've gotten. But thanks for your input. What if I went with a Speed pro rebuild kit?

A rebuild kit is a rebuild kit- it doesnt matter who makes or sells it. As long as theyre quality components. Rings,bearings,gaskets,timing chains and oil pumps dont make power. (well maybe the head gasket if you choose a thinner one to bump up the compression) The key here is that a rebuild kit for a 305 is the same or more than one for a 350. Why not get a boneyard 350 for like $150, then go through that engine WHILE you drive your car. You can teardown the motor and verify the sizes you need before you order the kit- ensuring correct parts the first time. I would avoid cheapo cams if horsepower is your goal. I have tried many and always stick with CompCams. The SR's are probably a good choice, unless you land a Vortec truck engine as your 350, then spring for the correct TPI base with the cash you wouldve spent on the heads. Port the plenum, get better runners, and do all the cold air and cheapo mods you can. Put a shift kit in the trans, and if you dont have one- get a rear axle ratio in the mid to upper 3's like a 3.30-3.70. If all else fails- spray it.

Can I get into the 12's with $4000?

with a 350 or 400 block? yes. with a 327 block, perhaps. with a 305? no.

If you are working on a monthly budget, I would keep driving the car stock and buy a 350 block (roller) and start building it up.. If you try to build the existing 305, it will have a long down time.. Plus, well it is only a 305..

Buy a block and start the rebuild