Stupid question time from England here....

how much extra noticeable/useable power does a 350 ('87) have over a 305 ('85)? Is it noticable in normal driving? (some town and highway)... I would imagine that on a drag strip it is as different as chalk and cheese

How much extra power would be released by taking off the cats (not needed here in the UK on a car of this age!) and putting on headers and a larger diameter exhaust (is it even worth it with other minor mods or do you have to more to notice it?)

 

Are we talking about a 350 from an '87 F-body (ie. L98)? If so, YES, it will be a very noticeable difference.

As for the exhaust, it depends on two things - what system do you have now? And what else have you done to the car?

 

thanks for the reply AA it does clear up a question- I guess I should have given a bit more detail so here goes....

I was thinking specifically about a standard 350 IROC (1987) vs a standard 305 IROC (1985)... I'm looking at buying a 350 over here, but as can be imagined IROCs aren't that common over here at the best of times and the 350 is rarer still so a direct comparison isn't really that easy

as for if I manage to buy it (88,000 miles and a price of just under 3k it seems like a steal!) it will have no major mods at all - in fact the only short term mods I'd consider (other than removing the cats, headers and exhaust) a will be K&N filters... medium term though I'd consider a ported plenum and runner together with things like modded tpi runners. Other than that most mods will be on the driving side lowered, sfcs and strut brace etc.

 

Yes, an '87 350 will be a huge leap up from a '85 305. The HP difference isnt alot I dont think, but the difference in torque is night and day!

A good set of tube headers and aftermarket exhaust system is, IMO, the first upgrade that anyone should do on one of these cars. You'll be happy with the results if you do

 

cheers AA - you help is much appreciated :hail: