Is it an easy swap? and can somebody point me into the right direction with a link or website.


Thanks

 

It's easy if the 350 is of the same vintage as your 305.

Remove 305. Take off anything that the 350 doesn't have or that you want to run on the 350 (induction, ignition, etc.) and put it on the 350. Install the 350.

Now, there are some things on the 305 that you don't want on the 350. Namely, the exhaust system. I'm going to assume when you say "83 305 carb" that it is the LG4 version (8th character of the VIN is an "H"). That exhaust is horrible even for a 305. Get rid of it. All of it. Put on headers, y-pipe that's 3" at the cat, and 3" system the rest of the way back to the muffler. Same goes for the air cleaner - it has to change.

However, as you might guess by the first thing I said, a 350 is not a 350 is not a 350. There are 57 different varieties out there, so you have to understand what you've got before you just assume it will be "easy" to install and will actually improve on the 305. If you have details about the desired 350, provide that information and we'll talk.

 

I don't have the vin number handy, but its a 83 firebird, 4bbl carb'd 305 and I don't have a 350 yet but I was told that basically any 350 from 67-late 80s will bolt right up to my stock T5 tranny? This 305 in there now has way 2 many emissions bs stuff allover the place most of it aint even hooked up properly and up where I live we do not have to pass an emissions test. What year 350 should I look for? and I don't wanna have emissions stuff hooked upto it just power steering, alternator,fan etc...

Thanks

 

The key to performance is in the heads. There are a lot more bad 350 factory heads out there than good. Good aftermarket heads are available, but the only "good" factory 350 heads of which I know have an issue when going into an older car (not a big issue, but an issue).

Having said that, you need heads with accessory bolt holes on the ends - about 1970 and later. But, most 1970 and later heads are junk. You want to avoid any hassles? Get 64cc World S/R Torquer heads and be done with it.

The other changes to be aware of are dipstick tube location and rear main seal type. Neither are too big of a problem as long as you do the right thing. The dipstick moved from the driver's side to the passenger side around 1980, and the 3rd gen exhaust manifolds get in the way of the tube if on the driver's side. But, I already told you to get rid of the original exhaust, and that also clears the way for the dipstick tube when using headers. Problem solved. The rear main seal went from 2-piece )which had been used since the early 60's) to one piece in 1986. This isn't a big deal because all you need to do is get a flywheel for '86-later 3rd gen application and you'll be fine.

About the only "emissions stuff" a Canadian car will have is A.I.R., EGR, and cat. Removing the A.I.R. is fairly simple, EGR doesn't hurt anything, neither does the cat (if it's a 3", high-flow aftermarket type).

You can get a factory new 350 shortblock from you friendly local GM dealer. World heads on top of that, gaskets, seals, etc., you're on the road and making time.