With 190,000 miles on the old 5.0 HO I believe I'd like to replace it. I have an 86 IROC with an even later center bolt head roller cam 350 in it. The kid I bought it off of said he put "the L98 Corvette cam" in the engine when he rebuilt it. The car never really ran right for him and eventually developed a slight main bearing knock. Any reason why this TPI engine (minus the TPI stuff) wouldnt' be able to use the intake, carb, dist., etc. off the 305 HO and bolt right into the 83Z? I guess the biggest question I have is if the center bolt valve cover heads have the same intake bolt pattern as the earlier carb. 305's. Wouldn't the computer in the 83Z be more forgiving of the "corvette cam L98" than the 5.0 tpi computer in the IROC? All I should need is a 350 knock sensor, right? Thanks, again. (after I correct the main bearing knock that is)

Moved it from the engine/technical forum (my mistake)

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Anytime you hear "Corvette motor" or something like that, just smile and nod. There are more 'corvette motors' out there then there are corvettes.

Anyway, you are right to ask about if it will all fit. Yes it will -- BUT -- on the center bolt heads you have on your 350 are slightly different. The difference is in the bolt holes that the intake manifold bolts to. The two middle bolt holes (I think its those ones) are drilled in the same place, but at a different angle than your 305 HO heads. This is not really a problem, all you need to get to make it all work right are a set of wedge-shaped washers. I know there is a company that makes a set, but not sure who (Holley maybe?). Someone else here will know though.

Other than that, it should all work fine. Yes, you do need the 350 knock sensor. Thats one problem I had after I swapped a 305 HO for a 350 awhile back; I forgot I needed a 350 sensor, so my 305 peice is in the 350 now.

Everything you have from your HO will work fine on this engine. The computer won't have any problem with the cam unless its a solid lifter cam (knock sensor will go bonkers if its a solid) and everything will fit fine as soon as you get a set of wedge-shaped washers for your HO intake manifold.

Good luck

 

All you have to do to get the intake to fit is lengthen the center bolt holes on the intake slightly.

 

Thanks. The more I think about it the harder it is to wait on the engine stand and crane I just ordered.

 

Hey Air_Dam,

I'm looking to swap out my 305 for a 350. What would you recommend while still retaining the TPI unit? I was considering a 350 crate motor HP rating of 330. Any other suggestions?

 

What are you looking for suggestions on? Who makes the crate motor? Got a link to it?

 

All of the above..