Ok guys and gals. Here is what I have.

350 4 bolt main
400 sb 4 bolt main
305 that is in the car now

I will have a t-56 trans and working on a ford nine inch for her right now.

The 305 is tbi . I thought about the lt1 or a ls1 swap but the cost on every one I have seen has been 3000 and up for everything.

So Im thinking of just going with a carbed set up. Or maybe going back and using a mini ram setup like I had on my 87 iroc.

If I use the 305 some form of forced induction will be used.

I know how to get the torque numbers that I want for each engine but the 305 will be more expensive to do it.

What do you guys think?

 

305 - Too many 350's available to want to build a small bore SBC for the same price.

400 4 bolt main - Webbing where the main caps is too weak. You're better off with a 509 casting 2 bolt block. If you want a little more bottom end strength, install studs. The 400 is externally balanced which can be an issue for the T56 which didn't come with an externally balanced flywheel for a two piece rear main 400 block.

I guess that leaves only the 350. If you can't find a 509 casting 400 block, build up a 350. The cost to build all 3 sizes is the same.

If all things are equal, bore makes HP, stroke makes torque.

350 will make more HP than the 305 because of the bigger bore but both will make the same amount of torque. The 400 will make more torque than the 350 because of the longer stroke but also has a bigger bore so it will make more HP.

A 383 which you never mentioned will make more torque than a 350 because it uses the same stroke as the 400 but makes the same HP as a 350 because they share the same bore.

Now that's if all things are the same. An increase in cubic inches allows for higher performance items. A good performance camshaft in a 305 will only be a mild cam in a 400. The 305's small bore doesn't allow for the bigger valves of the larger engines so it won't be able to flow as much air.

The easiest way to go is to just build a 350 or buy a prebuilt crate engine.

 

what he said! but big blocks are beautiful!

 

I was leaning toward the 350. I do have access to a suburban its between 89-92 with a 454. The engine was rebuilt about 10,000 miles ago and it is a good running truck. I can pick the truck up for 1400.00

If I build the 350 it will be a 383. I have the crank and rods already for that one. It was originally going to go into a jeep.

I have been reading some post on here about putting big blocks in the camaro. Im still in the planning stage right now. Got the front cap off and 305 out. About to start on cleaning and painting the engine compartment.

Already have my roll cage tacked in just have to finish welding it. Just need to find a donor car for the t-56.

Thanks for the advice so far guys.

 

the 305 would be great in a jeep due to the torque equal to a 350's ability. then you could put the 383 in your car for simplicity.