Alright here's the scoop! I have a 305 TPI that I overheated and now has a blown head gasket! I've just spent a load of money on new Airborne coated hooker headers/Y-pipe, a high flow CAT, K&N's, MSD wires/coil/cap/rotor and a DynoMAX ultra flow muffler! $$$ So, now the wife starting to tighten the reins on the Cash flow for my ride. I've found a 350 TPI with 65,000 miles on it and the guy is asking $550 for it without the intake. Please advise on following options:

A. Spend less than $100 bones and just replace both head gaskets on the 305 and use the money in other places (i.e. make wife happy) or!

B. Buy the 350 for $550 bucks and just drop it in! (he has the chip for it that he'll send with it, but I'm not sure about any of the sensers. Will I need new engine sensers for the 350?)

Give me your wisdom!

 

well, i have never been one to make my fiance happy with car spending (rearend work- $1000, paintjob stuff-$1000....etc) so i say go for it.. Im not a tpi guy so they will have to answer your other questions..

 

friends don't let friends build up 305s.

Your headers and exhaust will work on a 350 TPI. Get the 350. I'm no TPI swap expert though.

 

DO IT.
Been down that road. What year car is the motor out of? This matters cause intakes change. Otherwise all the new parts you put into your 305 will work great on the 350. Basicly the engine is the same on the out side. If you have any questions I would be happy to answer them. I did this for my 86 iroc a while ago.

 

Grover85

The 350 is from 1990 Iroc and mine's a 90 Iroc. Both of them have a TPI intake and 700R4 tranny.

SO, I shouldn't have to buy another O2 senser or any other sensors?

 

You shouldnt have do buy anything. Just make sure when you get the motor you inspect it for leaks. Any leaks are easier to fix while out of the car. One of the two things I can think of that are different are the knock sensor (not 100%) sure on that. Also injectors will be a different size. but that shouldnt matter. If anything get an adj fuel pressure regulator and bump fuel pressure up a little. Other wise I didnt run into any other problems. But dont plan on spending only the price of the engine. There will be other stuff (oil, trans fluid, coolant, ect.)

 

Get the 350 b/c if youve blown the headgaskets its more then likely that the heads are warped. This fix isnt too cheap from what i understand...

550 for a 350 with 60k is a really good deal anyways and im sure it has less miles on it then your 305. So try and convince her that it will pay for itself in the long run since it has less then half the miles your 305 has on it.

If the engine is from the same year it should have all of the same sensors and should be a plug and play deal.

Have you personally witnessed the engine running? If not dont trust the guy and who knows that the mileage is correct or that it actually is a 350 keep those things in mind.

OTOH Do the swap but dont forget that there is going to be more $$ required to do so... dont pinch those pennies quite yet.

 

I'd get the 350..........the Knock sensor is different on a 350 from a 305. It has to do with how it senses the knocking.........if you are lucky, the guy who is selling the engine will have the orignal part for you..........

 

knock sensor.. has to do with how it senses knocking..

OMG u should go work for GM.. they could use your brilliance!

just joking around

 

yeah maybe that didn't sound right, but the knock sensors are set up for different cylinder volume harmonics............. but they are interchangeable..............

 

So I would need a Knock sensor? Or No?

 

Yes just get a new knock sensor there like 12 bucks.

 

What's the best option for injectors! I'm not sure if he's going to sell those with it. Should I buy larger injectors or can I make my stock 19# injectors work?

 

Use stock 19 lbs. Dont go any bigger it would be a waste of money. If you want to be on the safe side get an adjustable fuel pressure regulator and just bump the pressure up a little bit. You can get 19 lbs injectors to handle up to 300 hp no problem.

 

Ok so tonight I'm gonna call this guy and see if I can go look at the motor tomorrow morning and hopefully buy it! I can't wait!
Thanks guys for the input!

 

hey thats what we are here for. I dont think my project would be where its at today without this board

 

one recomendation if you do the swap. invest in some poly motor mounts. I thought they were worth every penny.

 

And as I'm sure you've already considered, the 500 bones is only a beginning figure. Actual final cost may interest your wife .

JamesC

 

Well I got the 350 on Saturday! He threw some 22# Corvette injectors and the the TPI intake, but he said that the Chip would not work in my ECM becuase it was a different serial number. He also suggested putting a "ZZ9" Cam in and then getting a chip burned for the car! Well better get started! Again thanks for the help!

 

Awsome deal man. Let us know if you need anymore help

 

Make sure to get some SFC's lest you twist that vert like a pretzel!

 

Yeah that's on the list! I've decided that I'm going to make this a winter project, so much for trying to get a little more driving time in this season!

 

It will be worth it next year. Just make sure you stick to a plan or your car will always be a project car.

 

IMO the ZZ9 cam is a little much for the stock LTR TPI intake you have.

 

What if I pollish my intake and put TPIS manifold on?

 

it will be shiney....

 

If you go with the tpis intake. get the zzx cam or something like that. Thats what they recomended to me if I got the mini ram.