305-350 swap
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: australia
Car: 82 t/a
Engine: 305 carb
Transmission: t200 3sp auto
305-350 swap
Hi everyone,
Ihave a 82 t/a with carb 305 and t200 3 speed auto trans.
Firstly will a 350 bolt straight in without any mods?
Will i have to strengthen the front end?
Will the t200 be strong enough? if not what box can i use.
Any ideas or help would be appreciated.
Ihave a 82 t/a with carb 305 and t200 3 speed auto trans.
Firstly will a 350 bolt straight in without any mods?
Will i have to strengthen the front end?
Will the t200 be strong enough? if not what box can i use.
Any ideas or help would be appreciated.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 800
Likes: 0
From: New Jersey
Car: 87 Black Formula
Engine: Rollercammed Lg4
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.23 10 Bolt Locker
The 350 engine is basically the same engine block as the 305, only a bigger bore, all parts will bolt right up etc. I'm not really sure about if cranks and rods are the same, but I think not. Heads and all other outer parts will bolt-on both blocks.
If you get a stock 80'ties 350 engine, it wont produce enough HP to need any strengthening, the 350 became an option around -84 I think.
Only if your going to have like 8-900 HP from your engine, your gonna need some stiffening up front. ( back too probably)
If the t200 works, you could keep it until it don't no more. You can use almost any of GM's slush-boxes like TH350 or TH400, or preferably the Th700r4, which is a 4 speed. It will only save you some fuel if you run a tpi setup or something like it, if your going carb'ed, it won't make much difference if you get a Th350 which is widely availiable.
I think the th200 have a reputation of being a bit weak, but if it's working, no need to fix it then.
I would brake it down to these 4 choises:
Low-tech:
Carburator (350, Holley etc), mechanical distributor, Th350 or Th400, up to 400 HP
Advantages: proven, cheap parts, strong autos, can easily be rebuilt, easy to install and maintain. Disadvantage: poor fuel economy, drivability, not so reliable starting every day, etc.
Hi tech:
Electronichal fuel injection (350 tpi 225 hp), electronich distributor, Th700r4 (up to 300-350 HP) Advantages: lower gas bill, more drivable, lower engine rpms (4 speed), reliable engine start i all whether, very little maintenance needed etc.
Disadvantage, more expensive, th700r4 is more expensive to rebuild, or strengthen (if needed), more complicated to install, complicated to maintain.
LT1 engine, 275 hp stock, will fit right in as a glove, electronic fuel injection etc..
Super high-tech:
350 ls1 4L60E, optical distributor 325-345HP Stock, electronic auto, need engine mount modification and exhaust, more difficult to install...else as above, only more expensive..
If you get a stock 80'ties 350 engine, it wont produce enough HP to need any strengthening, the 350 became an option around -84 I think.
Only if your going to have like 8-900 HP from your engine, your gonna need some stiffening up front. ( back too probably)
If the t200 works, you could keep it until it don't no more. You can use almost any of GM's slush-boxes like TH350 or TH400, or preferably the Th700r4, which is a 4 speed. It will only save you some fuel if you run a tpi setup or something like it, if your going carb'ed, it won't make much difference if you get a Th350 which is widely availiable.
I think the th200 have a reputation of being a bit weak, but if it's working, no need to fix it then.
I would brake it down to these 4 choises:
Low-tech:
Carburator (350, Holley etc), mechanical distributor, Th350 or Th400, up to 400 HP
Advantages: proven, cheap parts, strong autos, can easily be rebuilt, easy to install and maintain. Disadvantage: poor fuel economy, drivability, not so reliable starting every day, etc.
Hi tech:
Electronichal fuel injection (350 tpi 225 hp), electronich distributor, Th700r4 (up to 300-350 HP) Advantages: lower gas bill, more drivable, lower engine rpms (4 speed), reliable engine start i all whether, very little maintenance needed etc.
Disadvantage, more expensive, th700r4 is more expensive to rebuild, or strengthen (if needed), more complicated to install, complicated to maintain.
LT1 engine, 275 hp stock, will fit right in as a glove, electronic fuel injection etc..
Super high-tech:
350 ls1 4L60E, optical distributor 325-345HP Stock, electronic auto, need engine mount modification and exhaust, more difficult to install...else as above, only more expensive..
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