Ok, i looked at an '89 RS today. it's got a 305, which from the test drive seemed, pretty strong. its black, and t tops ( ). needs a wash, but i gave the guy a 24 hour warning before going to see it, sooooo.... i think the mileage is high.... the odometer reads 74,000, but the guy admitted to me, that to his knowledge... it's rolled over. pretty high mileage, don't know if that's the original engine, but it looks like it's been taking care of. he originally asked 2,400, but i'm pretty sure i can talk him down to 2,000..... already has a complete exhaust on it, so i save cash there. what do you think?
oh yeah... i plan on swapping out all the good stuff from my '91's mint interior, to replace some of the no so hot stuff in the '89. all interchangeable, right?

 

Everythings interchangable.. One thing i might add is to seriously have a thorough check of the engine because the 305 isnt GM's most famous engine.. My buddy has an 86 Firebird and I have an 86 Trans Am.. Quite odd that BOTH of our engines blew due to rod knock at 116k miles.. not to mention the same rod?? Just be careful.. Mine drove strong w/out noise until the day it died.. Be careful!

 

Cool. Pep boys has this used car inspection process, that i'm gonna have the guy go to. I'll cover the cost for it, but i want to see the results. that way the engine, suspension and frame all gets a thorough check.... but man, i hate test driving it with t tops, when i'm used to a flat roof.... it's like a drug, it gets in you! lol.

 

you'll get used to the tees real quick They are great. Just make sure they are latched down

 

I think you and your buddy just had bad luck. The 305 can run forever in most cases. I've seen 300k mile Camaros, and 500k mile 305 trucks. The small block chevy is one of the most hearty motors ever built. The 305 is the same as a 350 except for the bore size.

 

wow.... some of the best news i've heard. i was gonna post and ask if anyone new the average life span of one of those engines, provided it was well maintained......... *sniff sniff* thanks for making my day *tears of joy*

 

Ya I also did the 3.1 hardtop to v8 t-top car change. Mine is a 87 IROC-Z 350tpi for $800. I love the t-tops and the extra ponies under the hood. Now I'm in the process of buying a 87 LT with a 343hp 305 thats goin be put under her hood.

 

you do relize that there was only 794 LT's produced right? It would be benificial to keep that stock IMO.

 

this is nothing to do with the original post, but Stuart, i wanna see that 3/4 of an engine keep up with the full, bwa ha ha. Just a friendly challenge. And Jim, Thank you sooooooo much for confirming what i've been telling people forever, a 305 is a 350 with a smaller bore. Same stroke i belive too.

 

i can keep up with a stock 305, thats about it, what until i am done and i'll be glad to race.

Hell i'll race now, i don't care if i loose, its all in good fun.

i said i can keep up. not necessarly win.

Modded eights are out of the question