To make a long story short, I've been working on my car for 12 months now and finally got her ready to go. Thought all I had to do was replace a freeze plug. Well, as it turns out, the block is cracked and junk. Still runs without mixing oil and coolant though. Anyway, I'll need to rebuild a motor and I was wondering what you guys think. I've been trying to keep everything as stock as possible, so that's one reason I want to keep the 305. SFC's? Also, would I have to burn a new EPROM? And lastly, can the T-5 stand up to the power? The advantages of a 350 are obvious. Help me out with my decision guys, it's a real tough one. Thanks in advance.

 

The two look the same when they are in the car. The only one who will know its a 350 is you, and whoever you tell. If your block is cracked, the numbers matching thing is gone, so put in it what you want to put in it. Most people would want a 350 over a 305.

 

Funny thing is I bought my IROC vert new and it came from GM with 5.7 stickers on the side. I appears that error was not uncommon. If someone ask what's she's got; I say it has a 5.0 tpi and tell them the story if they question the decal. If not; I stay mum. I always stay with stock components myself, but then again, I've never been faced with an engine choice. I think I'd go for what I wanted to drive rather than some nebulous future classic marketability question. In the end, if you wanted to sell, the 5.7 would be the choice of most potential buyers too.

 

You know, you both bring up very good points. What you said about the matching parts, I'm pretty sure it was in a couple accidents before I got it and was repaired really good. Straight body anyway. Ok, so would I have to update my computer to handle the extra displacement? Trade my ECM for one that came with a 350? What headers shoulld I get (on a budget)?

 

I have a 305 with TPI 5 speed, when it comes time to replace the engine, I'm going bigger. You can't beat the HP per cost for that expenditure. There are a few people with t5's with 350's... as long as you keep it with street tires (no drag slicks), I think you will be fine & have much more fun with it than the 305.

Rafael

 

Or you could go even more radical. SFC's on a vert are a must. But if you find a wrecked LS1 car, that beautiful engine and transmission are just begging to go in your 89 IROC.

 

Yes, that would be a beautiful setup. Funny, I was just talking to my buddy about that yesterday lol But I really couldn't afford that. Besides, what looks better than the Tuned Port Injection setup?

 

I dunno, but