Hey everyone, I'm looking to rebuild a Camaro 305 with a couple cheap bucks. This is my first project car that I have ever worked on. The Camaro is a really nice place to start since the car and parts do not really cost that much money, so I am not "too" concerned with screwing up. I want the car to have a decent paint job, and look cosmetically clean on the outside. I have most of that part already underway and taken care of.
Now for the part that I have very little experience in is engine/transmission performance and repair. I want this car to have respectable street/race performance.

Anyway, so you know I'm pretty new to this, but I have come up with a possible list of engine, transmission and rear mods:

- Engine and transmission have a lot of miles on them, so I'm leaving some money to either rebuild the tranny or getting a brand new 700r4. Any advise on what to do with that would be much appreciated.

- Edelbrock 600 cfm with ec
- comp cams 268 cam & lifter kit
- torque converter (not sure what stall speed is needed for this)
- 3:73 gears
- Unsure of what type of headers/exhaust to get with this.

I have no doubt in my mind that when summer rolls around I can accomplish the installation. What I'd like to know is if there is anything I'm not thinking about that I will definately need to complete this project? Or are some of the parts I picked wrong for the engine I have?

 

From what I know, unless swapped, a 91 Rs will be TBI (L03 RPO code) This means its a throttle body car.. not a carb, so the 600 cfm carb wont work. I would consider possibly an A/M throttle body

Regardless, have fun with the car!! Any pictures of her?

 

I would suggest hedman hedders and y pipe, i have a set and they clear the ground nicely, even lowered cars.

 

Thanks for the advice. Do you know a website where I can find some good TBI throttle bodies?

 

Summit Racing
Holley

I also have a TBI 305, and the TB system on there is very well adaptable. I would worry about Exhuast/Air Intake first. Until you hit the cam/head changing portion of your motor build, I wouldn't worry about a TB. What you could do is a nice Throttle Body Spacer.

 

Maybe Five7kid will move this to the tech general engine forum, or the TBI forum, if you're keen on keeping the TBI system intact. Only people on the TBI forum will tell you to keep it, I think most of the tech/general engine guys will tell you to just go ahead and go carb.

 

First, welcome aboard thirdgen.org.

Second, don't rebuild the 305. As already stated, the TBI is the weakest sister of all 3rd gen V8s. The heads are fine for the stock configuration, are extremely wanting in all other ways. LG4/L69 (carb engines) or LB9 heads are fine, though, and a good upgrade. If you keep the 305, don't put a penny into the shortblock except for a cam. If it's worn, go find a 350 shortblock and go from there.

As for the carb, that Edelbrock is for those who either a) want to think they've improved performance by putting on an aftermarket carb; b) don't know enough or can't learn to do simple tuning; or c) want something shiny sitting on top of their engine. Either keep the TBI and upgrade it (as stated, that is detailed on the TBI forum), or put a real carb on it.

As you quickly learn on the Exhaust forum, the best bang for buck and ease of installation are the Hooker 2055HKR headers & y-pipe. The rest of the exhaust needs to be replaced as well with '86-'90 TPI single-cat application pieces. Since you're considering going to carb, can we assume emissions is not an issue for you? If it is, keep the TBI, upgrade it, and use a cat for the above application. If no emissions concerns, you can just put a piece of 3" pipe in place of the cat. This, of course, is in violation of Federal emissions laws.

For that cam (which wouldn't be very TBI friendly), you'll need about 2500 RPM stall. The Transgo shift kit is a good upgrade for a TH700R-4 transmission along with a sound rebuild.

 

Wow thank you for all the advice. I actually may have found an easier path to all this. I may have found a guy selling a Camaro for the price of his engine. $3000 with a relatively new 350 crate engine in it.