Alright my friend just bought a RS with a 305 and we have been looking for a cheap 350 to throw in his car and we found one out of an 84 chevy truck. Its a good deal,but I was wondering what the hp and tq numbers would be on this engine . In the early 80's thats when gm was having the problems with emissions and we making real weak engines, my friends 80 camaro only had 190 hp for his 350. I was just wondering becuase I dont want my friend to waste his money on an engine that doesnt even put out 200 hp. I appreciate your help.

 

It wont put out 200hp, I'd bet.

My advice? Swap the cam. Cheap, easy.

 

I'd say that motor might make a whole 140hp probably less with 250 lb/ft TQ.

It could make a good core motor, or cheap shortblock.

 

It has to make more than 140 hp , the Lg4 has that much power. I was thinking probably 170 or 180.Anyway what makes it that weak?is it the cam or the compression ratio.He is on a really tight budget so however he buys the engine is how its going to stay for a while.an Lo3 makes 170 hp and 255 tq, it would be a waste to swap a 350 that doesnt make much more power.

 

I'm sure its some of both, but I'd bet you a dollar its got a peanut cam. Just get rid of that with a decent cam and it should be good to go.

 

As long as you 305 isn't of the TBI sort you could use the heads off of it.

 

So 305 tbi heads wont fit a 350 or is it just a older 350 that it wont fit, because he was planning on putting his 305 heads on there until he could get some vortecs.

 

TBI heads will fit, they just aren't good for much power.

 

keep the short block, vortec heads($450) comp XE262 or so (~$190) edelbrock RPM Vortec ($179) and a good HEI distributer ($149) about $1000 bucks and you'll have 320+ hp 350+lb tq

or keep the motor the way it is w/ ~170-190hp , 270-290 lbs tq

 

LS9 350/V 8 175 275 K10,K20 73-86
LT9 350/V 8 160 260 K20,K30 81-86


But a tired old engine will have much less power, compression, efficiency.