I am going to swap a v8 into my 2.8 89 firebird. I have been looking for a 350 but I am only finding mostly 305. I will probably have probably rebuild the v8 before I put it in. What I am wondering is will I be disapointed with a 305? I am looking to end up with around 270 to 300 HP. I will probably put a carb on the new engine instead of messing with the fuel injection.

 

If you want that much power, a 305 will probably disappoint you (magazine articles quoted by people who haven't built the same thing notwithstanding).

Get a 350. There's millions of them out there. It will actually cost you less in the long run, and will certainly cost less and last longer at any given power level than a 305 of the same power.

 

Try swap meets not junkyards. I have found 350s to be slim at the yards I go to but they're everywhere at swap meets.

 

do you have any car auctions that are open to the public in your area? i wanted a 350 for my 84 firebird. i went to one of the local car auctions and bought an 87 iroc that some one already dropped a 350 in, the body was rough but it ran great, i redid the 350 (picture attatched) and then sold parts of the iroc and actually got most of my money back. i got the car for $600.00 i don't know if this helps you or not,but i will tell you this the 305 was ok but this 350 with the 700r4 ,you mash the pedal and the tires chirp going through all the gears in drive. good luck on your swap

 

If you're looking for horsepower on a budget, go for the 350. To get the same amount of hp from the 305 you are going to have to mod it out and shell out a bunch of cash just to get it up to par with even a stock 350. Parts are way easier to find for 350's and sometimes cheaper. I am speaking out of experience as I currently own a 305 TPI and have been trying to get some decent horses out of it. I've spent way more than I ever anticipated and still have hardly anything to show for. Also, these 305's are not to be underestimated though. The only thing you MUST do when putting together a fast 305 is to match your parts perfectly. I have found that 350's are a little more forgiving in that sense. Good luck with your quest.