I have a 92 RS with a 305 TBI in it. I want to swap it out for a 350, a mechanic told me I could just buy a 350 short block and use all my stuff from the 305. I have found out on here that I would have to get 350 injectors and a new chip and knock sensor. I am 17 and have a tight budget and have never messed with a motor yet, so what do you guys think would be he best rout? Go with the short block, or just save my pennies and buy a crate motor from GM ?

Also, with the 350 short block swap and with some headers, what kind or HP and torque should I expect? thanks

 

Well dude, the short block would probably be the easiest thing as long as you get the heads with it. The L03 heads are junk. Getting a new prom would be no problem, hell just pull one out of a Chevy truck with the L05....simply the 350 TBI. I am saying this because you are on a budget and you could reuse everything with induction you have now....so it wouldn't set you back too much. The injectors would be a lot less than a GM crate. But with that swap you won't see as much power as you would if you went crate, depending on what heads you run. I couldn't say how much power you'd be making with that swap...but I know it'd be more than the 305 and you could always upgrade cuz you now would have a 350 and not the 305. Good luck

 

thanks for the info!

 

get a crate engine 350, not just a short block. whether it is a regular replacement 350 engine, or a GMPP crate engine, you will be happier with an actual new engine.

you will be better off in the long run, because the 305 and the L03 heads are very limited in their potential.

hope this helps...

-brian

 

By convention, a "short block" does not have heads on it. It's a block with rotating parts "short" the heads, tin, intake, water pump, distributor, flywheel, damper, etc., etc., etc. Even then, some include cam and timing set, others don't.

A "long block", again by popular use, includes a short block with heads, valve train & tin, but still no intake, water pump, distributor, etc.

A "crate engine" used to mean a new long block from the factory, that came in a crate - hence the name. These days, it can mean most anything, but typically it is at a minimum a long block. It may be rebuilt, though, and may or may not have things like intake, damper, flywheel, distributor, etc. A GM Goodwrench 350 is a long block. A ZZ4 has damper, flexplate, intake, and distributor. An HO 350 is a long block, but the Deluxe has damper, flexplate, intake, distributor, and carb.

Summary: Be careful using these terms as if they are defined. You need to determine exactly what is included before you lay out the green.

To back up what the other guys said, a 350 short block is a very bad idea in your case. The heads you have are maxed out in your current configuration. Adding more cubes would simply overwhelm them, and the results would underwhelm you. There is no way to improve them.

 

For an estimate, check my sig. I'm pushing between 300-330HP and around 350-390 torque with my 350.

It is a Carbed engine from a 1969 Camaro tho. Gotta love the oldies.
Thanks fellas who helped me figure that one out.