Just a question - I have a 83 firebird, 305 carb, i think only 2 barrel actually, sucks but anyway, would it be worth it to spend money on mods for the 305 or buy a 350 and try and work with that. I was looking at 350 crates but they're pretty expensive for a good amount of hp. My engine now has only 73k on it so, should i scrap it or keep it??

 

Welcome aboard.

Whichever you do, exhaust is a must. If emissions are a requirement for you, figure on something in the neighborhood of $750 minimum. More if you want coated or stainless headers.

You've got a 4 barrel, and it's fundamentally a good carb. It just needs some understanding and some relatively cheap parts. See the tech articles for q-jet mods, you'll have an idea what you need there.

The other weak points of your current 305 are the air cleaner (assuming you have the single snorkel LG4 version), cam, and heads. With an '83, again assuming it's an LG4, compression is also a little on the low side. You can make that 305 bark with mods similar to what I've got in my sig, although your lower compression is going to hold back the results a little from what I've got. Everything will transfer over to a 350 if you end up there some day. The heads aren't quite as good on a 350 as they are on a 305, but there's always somebody building a 305.

You can do a lot with the 305 without even taking it out. But, if you start thinking anything involving pistons or deeper, you might as well get one of those 350s.

 

This is something I was wondering too...I just bought an 82 TA that is carbbed and wanted to know of a few simple bolt on mods that would make it run decent and a bit stronger. I hear a lot of stuff on the boards but not sure what is good...and then sometimes peole start the old 305 vs 350 flame war and nothing is learned from it. I know a 350 is by far better but right now I have a 305 and want to slightly mod it knowing that it won't cost as much as a brand new 350. I do plan on a 350 later, but that would be in a few years or so. I just want a little more power so I can have a bit of fun.

 

Do a full exhaust from headers to muffler and you'll see a huge difference over the crappy stock system and its relatively cheap and easy to install.

 

IROC22
what is the make and model numbers for them headers and what about the going price?