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Go with a crate motor, I believe the 350HO with 330hp would do it PN#12499711 for $4,600 and its a turn key motor.

 

Welcome aboard thirdgen.org.

Most power? What exactly does that mean? You certainly can build an engine with a lot of power, probably more than what you could get with a GM crate. Of course, you might not be able to drive the thing on the street.

I wouldn't go with the "turnkey" 330 HP 350 HO crate. Waste of money for the carb, distributor, etc. I would keep the carb and distributor you've got, especially if this is to be street driven. The "plain" 330 HP 350 HO crate would be okay, then get a Vortec intake manifold for it and put your carb and distributor and other supporting cast on it.

What do you have for exhaust? The typical 3rd gen 305 exhaust is pitiful. Plan on spending at least $700 of your budget for headers and the rest of the way back free flowing exhaust (depending upon your emissions test/inspection needs). Without that, the engine you get is moot.

 

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Like five7 said, it depends on what you want to do. For 5000 bucks you can build a wicked motor if you shop around for used parts. But you'll also need to spend money on the rear end and transmission because they are weak.

If I were you I'd buy a LS1/T56 combo.

 

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1500 on transmission, 1k on rear end would be a reasonable budget? I'm not sure. I haven't done anything to mine yet.

You can either beef up your 10 bolt or go with a 9" or 12 bolt.

 

Beef up a 10-bolt:
Posi carrier - $350
Gears - $175
Posi & gear install - $300
Aftermarket axles - $300
Support cover - $175
Total (give-or-take) - $1300

Buy a 9-inch or 12-bolt:
$2000 just to get it to your driveway. Then spend more money to get it installed.

For a street-type engine, just go with the 330 HO, get a spreadbore (Performer) Vortec intake, and put your existing carb etc. on it. You'll take care of any NA import. Spend the rest of your money on transmission and rear end upgrades - You won't have any left.

 

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You see, that's why we ask things like usage. This is the first mention of emissions.

The 330 HO doesn't have the exhaust crossover passages for the EGR valve. You'll have to plumb that externally if they test for NOx. If they have a strict visual inspection, forget that engine entirely. But, it otherwise should pass emissions.

The ZZ4 will probably pass emissions without problems, even without the EGR. The cam has enough overlap that you don't run into problems. But, you may still want to play it safe and plumb the EGR externally. If you have an '87-up Performer intake, you'll have to modify the center two intake bolt holes, but the ZZ4 comes with a spreadbore, EGR manifold, so that isn't a real issue.

There really isn't a good GM crate out there right now that passes emissions. What you might want to do is find a L98 engine and have it rebuilt. All of your carb equipment and the Performer intake would bolt right up to such an engine.

 

I was actually going to ask a similar question when I found this thread. (305 to 350, carb'd, need to pass MD safety and emissions)

You mentioned the L98 - would this work for both of us?

http://paceperformance.com/index.asp...D&ProdID=42913

 

Yes, it would. The flat tops with only valve reliefs would make compression pretty high with stock 305 heads, though. If you put 1.94" intake valves in the 305 heads, did some basic port clean-up, and deshrouded the valves a little to open the chambers to 64cc, then you would be alright. Or, find some L98 heads to put on top.

Of course, you'd need to pick a proper cam as well.

 

Thank you, five7! That engine got discontinued. I just got off the phone with Pace Performance. They told they bought them up, started with 20, and were down to 3. Make that 2 now.