Just bougt an 83 trans am as a project for me and the boys
First we will do the body work. In pretty good shape for the age. Needs some restoration.
Then the motor, which seems fine but she has some miles
Car has a stock 305 carb +automatic tranny.
Know is the time to think about what we will replace the 305 with. This car will be a summer vehicle we can cruise around in.
We would like to get some reasonable power but not spend too much right away. I think if we can slowly scrounge the parts we can keep the cost inline. I know these projects can get out of control eh. What would you guys do in the engine tranny department. We were talking about some headers for the 305 but don't want to waist the money if we can't transfer them to the new engine later. I noticed the car had dual exhaust 2 cats
Any tips appreciated
RoR

 

Any headers that you put on the 305 will work on another small block Chevy; same goes for intakes, carbs, etc, as long as you don't make the new motor "too" wild. If your headers are small tube shorties, they won't be adequate for a later built 383 or 406,even though they'll bolt up fine. Of course, if you do go much wilder later, you can always sell the parts on Ebay and start over.
If the engine and trans are mechanically sound, I'd leave them in and just do a few bolt ons to get some extra power. If/when you want more, start building another motor and swap it when you're ready.

 

first and foremost...a cam change....i highly recommend it....

as far as "affordable mods for power"....this is what i'd do-



i put a speed pro 327/350hp cam and lifters in a tired old 85 305 and man.....it made the 305 have some *****.....

dual exhaust, new tune up, and bam!....you'll be surprised

plus it was a cheap upgrade...from northern the cam and lifters were under $100!!!!! and new timing chain was $15 from advance....and you'll probably gain several more thousands of miles of life out of your motor with this upgrade


-bigarmzz-

 

I'd avoid that cam... I've heard too many bad things about it. For a cam, what I would do is build the rest of the engine, and then send the engine specs to Crane or Comp Cams, and let them help you decide what would be a good choice.

 

"i'd avoid that cam"......?????

why?

i have used this cam and personally seen what it will do in a 305.....

i've heard bad things about this cam in a 350......but "i" have seen what it will do in a 305.....
and beleive it or not, it really wakes it up.....nicely-

and besides, he said he wasnt wanting to "spend too much money".....so it aint like he is going to want to take out the engine, and put in flat tops or something



-bigarmzz-

 

Why not ask RB or Five7 about that cam. They could tell you better than I could.

 

I'm sure, compared to a stock cam, that it made a difference. As far as it being a good cam, its not. I wouldnt waste my time putting one in any engine. It has horrible ramp rates. It opens the valves horribly slow, and bleeds off lots of cylinder pressure. It doesnt spend nearly enough time near peak lift. Basically any other aftermarket cam will be better.

Get one of the exteme energy grinds by comp, its good for a 305. I have seen a lot of guys use the XE268 in thier 305.

 

Perfect, well said lj.

 

Maybe the best way to go would be to find a low milage 350 truck motor open it up and instal a new cam rings and such

 

Not a bad idea at all. Just make sure to throw those damned truck heads away, unless they are vortec. Then sell them to some fool that is mystified by the word vortec, and get yourself some real performance heads.

 

mmm....vortec