ok so im 17 years old and i love cars. but im extremely in love with thirdgen camaros. i have a 1984 z28 camaro with a 305carb. too me it feels really slow and im guessing it prob is. i really want to put a 350 in it from jegs or somthing of that sort. what would be the best engine to put in it, price HP ect..
and is it even worth doing it to my car or should i just buy a new car with a 350 in it? im really confused cause i love my car and dont want to get rid of it.
so i was just hoping you guys would point me in the right direction.
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ps. i want to switch to fuel injection too...

 

There are sooo many ways you can go with it. I'd suggest building your engine combo on the side though. Make sure you have EVERYTHING you need for the swap (including doing your research) before you take your camaro apart! You might not like how slow your 305 is, but you really won't like having your car unusable for years.

The very first thing you need to do is define your budget and your goals. By goals, it probably shouldn't be a HP number. I mean deciding what you want to use the car for and what will maximize your enjoyment of the car. Compromise your dreams with your budget and timeframe, and schedule it out. Forethought now will save you time and money later.

 

i just want a daily driver that can walk some guys if i have too, and be reliable

 

The debate on whether to get a new car or modify yours is best answered by the condition of your current one. How much work does it need to get where you want it to be? Does it need just a better motor, or does it need body work and stuff too? Is there rust, damage, dents, peeling paint, worn interior, cracked dash and plastics, bad floorboards? If you've got a car that needs a ton of work, maybe you should just look for something else. If everything else is good on the car (or within reason) and you just want it to give you a better kick in the pants, then upgrade the motor.

Also, how much more power do you want from it, and what shape is the engine in now? Converting the 305 to TPI, adding some bolt ons, or something of that nature may reach your goals. Otherwise, there are plenty of sensibly priced 350 setups you can put in your car if your not looking for more than 300 or 350 hp.

 

Hi, have you done any mods so far? If not, changing the rear end to one with better gears (3.42/3.73) & posi would be a great starting point. Then, move on to the exhaust (headers, cat-back), since this will be compatible with the 305 & a 350 in the future. Next, I would try finding a used 350 and keep the carb. Converting from carb to FI will be a lot of work. If FI is important on your list, you'd be better off selling your car and buying one from the start that has everything you want.

 

http://www.sdparts.com/catalog/crate...omyEngine.aspx

thata a good daily driver motor with some *****....

 

i agree with calebzman, carb to EFI is not easy.. you need to get a wiring harness for the car, all the efi parts, efi fuel lines, fuel pump, then tuning.. your best bet for EFI would be in a car that came with TPI.. aftermarket EFI is expensive.. some cost more than that longblock..

you can make a reliable car with a carb..

 

Then do exhaust, air cleaner, and cam for your 305. If you don't do at least the exhaust and air cleaner, no 350 is going to help you.

As stated, going to EFI is a step backwards, certainly in cost and complexity, and typically in power.

 

if you want fuel injection sell your car and buy another camaro with it, that will be best way, it will probly already have a 350 and you may only spend 3000$ if you get lucky on a good one.

Personally unless you can get a 350 really cheap shop around for a 400 ci sb and put a lil money in that maybe even stroke it, 400 is same as 350 externally so install is easy

 

Heh, i ran into your little problem about 4 years ago when it came time for my first engine swap.. the funny thing is it was with the same car!

Like everyone said, get your goals and budget together.. and really decide if the car is totally worth it.

Switching over to EFI in a pre-carbed vehicle is too much hell, TBI is possible.. but no sense, as i would find a carb more easy to swap too. You can find cheap short blocks on the bay or even here on tgo, If your good with motors, you can swap alot of your current engine parts with the 350 short block. . to keep your budget clean

 

so can i get a good 350 carb engine with atleast 300hp or more?
and the only rust on my car is on my hood. the interior is pretty nice except the carpet, and a slightly crashed dash. what exhaust should i get because i am about to get a brand new exhaust, oh and the 305 i already have in it only has like 10,000 miles on it, its praticlly brand new...

 

in that case. Just stay with the 305 and build the motor you want. Its got low miles. Just set ur gameplan and buy little things here and there that add power. i.e. exhaust.

 

Discussed on the Exhaust forum all the time, but get headers and all exhaust for the '86-'90 TPI single cat application. I know, I know, that isn't what you have; but that's what's the best for the least money and hassle. I'd recommend starting with Hooker 2055HKR headers which come with a great 3" y-pipe, then cat and cat-back for the same application. You're looking at somewhere between $700-$1000 for just the exhaust, but that will support whatever else you do to the car for a long, long time.

With that exhaust, a better air cleaner, and a good cam, you can get your 305 to 300 HP.