hey i have looked around on this section and everyone is telling engine swappers to go from a 305 to 350's i am beginning to look into it and i am not a horse power junkie, just want my trans am to live up to my name! i found a 305 on ebay for under 1000 but would like to hear what u have to say, weather the 305's are bad or people just don't perfer them

 

The 305 is a great engine. It's also a good starter V8 imo. What will you be using the car for? I prefer to cruise in my 305, and if I wanna run I'll take my dad's 350 IROC. Not saying the 305 can't move.

EDIT: Plus you can always bore out and stroke the 305, make a 334/335 why not?

 

Because it's a stupid waste of performance $'s.

 

305's are fine. But you can get more bang for the buck using a 350 as a base instead of a 305. You can get a 305 to come close/match a 350 but your most likely to spend more to get to that same point.

What point do you want to get to though? With the price of gas these days, maybe you'd prefer the 305's slightly better mileage?

 

Personally, I like the 305's. I like 350's a little better, but I never find deals on them around. So I just did a 305 to 305 swap cause a 305 suits my needs for now. I don't think you should be paying near 1,000 though.. unless its low miles, or really pumped up. Have you checked craigslist? There are always good deals on that. 95% of the guys on the forums will probably tell you that a 305 wouldn't be worth it if it was free. but don't listen to them, the 305 is underestimated i think.
But if you indeed get the 305...and you DO want more power.. let me know.. if found an INCREDIBLE article in a camaro magazine telling you how to cheaply pump the 305 up to blow a 350 away. Its a GREAT article

See ya!
-Andrew

 

What 350 were they comparing it to, a '79 Caprice?

Statements like that are just plain silly. Spend the same money on a 350 and you'll blow the 305 out of the water.

 

small block chevys share so many parts and the cpl parts that are different cost about the same (i.e. piston sets) the most affordable way to make power is to go with the o so common 350, more displacement and most common sbc for aftermarket parts... so when it comes down to it if it costs roughly the same for a 350 y not upgrade.....

 

well thanks for all your replies!!!! i will keep looking and if i find a deal on a 350 i might take it because the manifolds fit both right? but if nothing else so far with how crappy my 305 is running right now i am still satisfied, the car is going to be a weekend project car and besides i can take the motor in it now and toy with it with performance parts later on if i like. i will keep my eyes and ears open

 

See sig. Everything that is on the 350 now was previously on the 305, including the heads.

The difference in 1/4 mile ET was over a second.