Ok this guy I was talking to was looking at my engine and he said that I was "sitting on a LT1" I have a 92 RS with the 305 V-8. He sounded like he new what he was talking about. He said to bore it over 20, replace the chips and get a LT1 Cam. He called it a "roller motor" whatever the hell that means. Now really I have never thought about this but I would just like your input. All I want to know is if its possible.

 

Sounds like a "magazine mechanic" - somebody who's read a bunch of Hot Rod magazines so thinks he's an expert.

About the only thing he was close on is the roller part. Your engine, if the original, is set up for roller lifters on the cam. Nice, but nothing unusual (all 3rd gen V8s from '87-on had "roller motors"). The stock cam is a wimpy piece, and an LT1 cam would be an upgrade, but there are a lot of other good and even better choices out there.

Boring the engine .020" over would do next to nothing performance-wise; and on a 305, is a waste of money. Most likely you have a TBI induction, so a chip may help, but isn't necessary unless a bunch of other modifications have been done. The first modification that should be considered is exhaust (headers, high-flow cat & cat-back). Look over the TBI, exhaust, and tech forums for more ideas. Sounds like you've got some thoughts about a larger engine, so that's the right path rather than spending any machine shop money on a 305.

Your advisor is an idiot, but you've come to the right place to get the straight scoop.

 

Oh ya and I would have to get a tuned port. $$$???

 

You would have to get a tuned port?

Let me guess, same guy said that?

Go check out the TBI board.

 

Ya it was...But what do you all think I should do? Should I bore out my 305 or should I get a 350 block and bore it out. Eventually I want to make it a 383 with a 400 cam. I know I need to replace alot of stuff but I cant do that until my block is set.

 

Hmmm...
Not trying to be offensive.. :-)

My guess is that you have a lot to learn...
Not that what you suggest is particularly difficult
(a 383 build up) but that by your question you
don't have a particularly deep backround.

This would imply you don't actually have tools
or the experience to do this yourself.

If your a rich guy....
Buy a nice crate engine and have it installed
Doug Rippie, Lingenfelter, TPIS, SLP will be glad
to help

If not ....
Start out by simply getting your car to run properly
The the TBI suggestions are quite good place to get
your feet wet and decide if you are having a good
time modifying your car.

Then perhaps a cam swap and see if you can actually
get it to run right by fiddling with ECM...

By now you will have a pretty good idea as to what you want
to do auto-x, solo I, solo II, drag racing, restoration,
show and shine, touring all would poin you in slightly
different directions

Now if you haven't lost interest ... build your motor

 

Ya I have alot to learn and no I dont have the tools to do this myself. I am only 18 now everyone is telling me to go to the TBI board well mabey I want to switch to TPI later cuz I dont really know what the hell to do just yet. I have heard both good and bad from both like tune port is sluggish on the high RPM and good on low end torque and TBI is good at high end RPM but it doesnt feed the engine fuel like it should and all this and that. So to put an end to this I think I will just get the 350 block from a wholesaler company and bore it out. List of parts to come once I get the money

 

Err.. no offense either, but that guy is an idiot. You can't make a 305 into an lt1 and he didnt' even mention replacing your heads.... lol

Seriously, don't think about doing anything to big to your car right away.

Heres how it is, if you are planing to put a larger engine in, i would get a half way decent exhaust and maybe some cheap headers, this will hold you over and give your car some more kick.

Second, I would begin moding the sups. of your car first before putting in the new motor. The 305s sups. won't be able to handle as much power as something like a 350 or 400 would put out.

Once you've got that down, I'd do alot and I mean alot of research and reading and learnging and prcing on the best route to go with the correct engine for your wants and needs.

Just a thought, hope that helps some.

 

Buy an LT1/6spd combo from Billy Graham or other 4th gen bone yard. It's not the easiest swap but BAM! Low 13's to start and with a LT4 hot cam and some lifters your in the 12s with suspension work. Or if you're really frisky the wrecked LS1 cars are starting to add up in the boneyards. But it seems LT1s are cheaper to mod so far.

 

No offense to LowStyle187, but I don't think he is even close to ready for a swap, at least not by himself, especially without tools. Like mentioned before, LOTS of research always helps and getting your feet wet with simple stuff is the easiest way to get started. I'm 23 now, but I got my firedbird when I was 18 and was at the changing spark plugs and oil stage. Then I got into putting in a cat back and headers, and now I just swapped in a 350 just a couple months ago. I'm not saying that you have to stay on the pace that I did, but you'll have to learn stuff gradually like most everyone else here did.