I have a 305 TBI(130K) with exaust and K&N air filter in right now.

I was at our local street races for the first time last night and got beat pretty bad. I was thinking about dropping in a LT1, but then I researched it and found out all the other **** you have to replace just to get it to work. So I was wondering what engine would go in the best without having to replace everything. Since i'm a student I don't have a ton of money to spend(about $2000).

Would I be better off trying to mod the 305? or should I drop in another? If so which one? Thanks

 

i'm goin to tell you that when you say exhaust that is to brod to count as a mod and a k&n air filter is not a mod and if any who thinks it is dosn't know anything

i havn't done any swaps myslef but i reserched switching my car to tpi and it would be a bitch, you would have to change the cpu the fuel pump new fuel lines not to mention the intake plenum runners ext..

 

His sig..

*Is confused.*

 

When I bought my car the guy told me it was a 350. Later I found out that it wasn't. And I dont really consider exaust and a K&N fiter a mod; I was just letting you know what I had done to it.

So basically what i'm asking is, is it worth the trouble to make the LT1 swap or just try to mod the 305?

 

some *** hole tryed to do that to me but all you have to do is check the vin numbers on this web sit

 

You inquired about modding your current car. You can get gobs more out of the 305TBI. I'm not surprised you got beat badly as exhaust and a k&n on a tbi will show little power.

Free up the TBI unit:
Open element filter
TBI Spacer
Edelbrock Manifold
Mild porting

Get headers.

After you do that, I don't think you'll be dissapointed.
That's the easiest stuff too. After that, if you get a nice heads & cam combo and do some basic tuning (computer), you can have a fairly quick 305 TBI. I forgot to ask - is this your first car (modification wise)? If it is, I would definitely stick with the 305 TBI to learn and mess with before you build something radical one day.

 

dude im not tryin to tell u what to do but if all u got is bout $2000 that prob isnt gonna be enough to cover the cost of gettin a lt1 or a 350tpi, i just got a rebuilt l98 put in my car and it cost me a lil under $3000 for everything the engine installation, and i originally had a 305 tpi so i didnt have to get any of the tpi parts, but with $2000 u should be able to get a good rebuild kit for ur car and have alot of money left over for cam intake and all that good $h!%

 

I would save up a little more, and install a 350 roller crate motor. (I got mine for $2k.)

If you decide to stick wth the 305 TBI, I would get a LT4 cam, Ported Vortec heads and Vortec Intake. That should put you at $1k. I would also get headers since you have to remove them anyway.

What kind of Rear-end do you have? If its stock, thats a very good reason why you lost. Going from 2.73 to 3.42 made a nice difference in my car. Posi is a must IMO.

Now that, will put you at $2k.

Also, I wasn't trying to be a *** or anything, I was wondering why your sig said 350 and you said you have a 305.

One more thing, VIN will tell you what motor originally came with it. Motor swaps throw that theory out the window. Only real way to check is to look on the driver side, back of the block and it will tell you the Liters. (5.0 or 5.7)

 

dont mean to noob up this thread, but what exactly is a crate motor? is it a brand new motor or rebuilt..? details details!

and is there a way to tell exactly what kind of motor you have? like manuf. specs etc...?

 

could be either, it is usually used to describe a whole motor that you buy that comes in a crate. it should say right away new or rebuilt, rebuilt and remanufactured/refurbished are basically the same thing. There are a few types though, short block, long block, complete, and turn key.
Short block is a block, pistons rings, crank and rods, although I've seen them often with balancers timing chains cams and lifters too.
Long block is a short block with heads and rockers thrown on.
Complete is usually complete up to the intake manifold, minus the distributor and carb, although I've also seen these thrown in too and called complete, GM i think has a habit of calling these "Deluxe"
Turn key is kind of ambigous with complete, it is what it says it has everything essential (no accesories) to throw it in and turn the key and it will go.

 

oh ok thanks. reason why i asked is cause i bought a TA with a long block crate motor. the engine has 15k miles on it and was put in a year ago. but im having problems with it, i suspect a head gasket leak. i was told if it was rebuilt and bored out, the cylinder walls might be too thin. im trying to get in contact with the owner because supposedly theres a 3 year warranty on the engine, but i cant contact him. think hes avoiding me

 

You can get jy 350s for 100 - 200 bucks. get it rebuilt and buy a new carb and distrbuter and roll with it.

 

www.goautocenter.com
300 HP TPI motor, 2 year warranty, $1955 w/o TPI unit. Go on ebay or a junkyard and get a refurbished TPI unit w/ harness for like 300 dollars, take all your accesories off the 305 and put 'em on the 350, maybe get some hooker shorties and a catback and you're set

 

how much do you think a 400 is worth that has just been acid cleanded i think he wants like 500 for it