right now I have a '85 firebird with a 4bbl 305. Do you guys think it's worth keeping and makin it nice and fst or should I just dump it and get a 350?

 

The answer to both questions is "yes".

And then, "But...".

With moderate performance goals, the q-jet-based 305 is a nice street package after standard SBC upgrades. See sig.

However, for more serious performance, or if you need get into the shortblock rotating assembly at all (rings, pistons, bearings, etc.), then it makes more sense to go find a 350 to build.

 

Depends on how fast you want to go. I wanted to get into the 13's. So I figured I had better get a 350. I spent $7000.00 on my 355, 700R4, and 10 Bolt, plus the car has been down for a year or more. Worth it? Don't know yet. There are days when its nice and I see all the other hot rods out cruizing and I wish that I had just gotten an L-98 cam, Torquer SR heads, headers, 3 inch exhaust, and a posi 3:73, then left it at that. I could have had the car done a year ago and saved around $4000.00. That's enough savings that I could have had the car painted at the body shop, and still been in the 14's.

I think it'll be worth it.

EDIT: Worth it in my case that is.

It boils down to how fast, how much $$$, and how much time.

If I could do it all over again, I think I would have kept the 305 and been done with the car by now and runnin 14's. (but that might just be the spring fever talking)

 

Speed costs money...

So how fast do you want to go???

My plan is a new intake, headers, exhaust, and a rebuilt carb. If that gets me close to where I want to be (low 14s) I'll stab a new cam in. That's assuming I don't need new bearings though.

If not I'll be looking for a 350 to drop in.

 

thanx guys. I just want my car to look good, sound good and go fast. i dunno how fast yet. as for the $$$, i dosent really matter. I dont really have any expenses right now so i can put a lot of money into it. I think i might keep it and see what i can do.

 

yeah just remember that alot of the upgrades your gonna do to the 305 will transfer over to the 350 ie headers ,exhaust,intake,carb,now the internals are a different story so if your planning on a complete rebuild on the engine id just get a 350 but for now if the 305 is a good engine it will respond nicely to some good upgrades ....good luck and have fun