Hello everyone. I am a long time 3rd gen fan. I have been saving for almost 2 years now to finally purchase one. I got a few questions though. Most likely the car i purchase will be running very badly,have super high mileage, or not running at all. (Due to my lack of funds) What would be the best engine trans combination to purchase knowing that i will swap a carbed 350 in ? I was thinking a carbed 305 w/ 700r4 would be easy,but hard to come by in my area. I was really hoping to have 4 wheel disk brakes also, I really dont want to try a conversion because of cost issues. I have a 350 ready to go already, and pretty good mech abilities. I just am unsure about wich car to buy to be most cost efective, and easiest to swap.

 

Welcome aboard thirdgen.org.

Easiest to swap - a car that came with a V8.

You say carb'd 305's are hard to come by in your area - what is easy to come by?

There really isn't much difference between swapping a 350 into one 305 car vs. another. '83-up had the TH700 available (only auto tranny available from '84-up), so pick what's available and put your 350 in it. Almost all 305 cars have poor exhaust, so if you don't want to choke up your 350, plan on complete exhaust upgrade.

Be aware that you don't get more than you pay for (typically), so a worn out car can cost more to get running properly than one in good condition to start with.

 

When I originally bought my car to become a race car, I spent more than I wanted to for a car but my car was completely rust free. After all these years, I'm glad I paid the extra money for a car that was in better condition.

 

Thanks for the replies guys. The cars that are easy to come by here are 305 tbi cars mostly. The reason the car i will buy will most likely be running bad or not at all is because I am interested in the condition of the body and chassis more than anything else. From everything I have been reading here, it seems like a tbi to carb swap wont be to bad. Correct fueling and the trans just won't lockup with out a switch right? I did read about the stock exhaust probs and have made considerations for that. I also considered keeping the tbi unit (if thats the car i end up buying) , but the more I read, the more I think its not a good idea. I just really want to think everything threw , before I jump in, so all the help is greatly apreciated.

 

It's an easy swap to carb, but not good if you have to pass emissions. As for the trans, you will want to get a lock-up kit, I keep hearing that it can burn out the tranny if you don't. Summit has one for a decent price, or you may be able to make one.

The 305 TBI isn't really as bad as some people make it out to be though. Mine was at 227k miles when I pulled it out it still ran great, and it would beat a stock LT1. I did do some work to it, but nothing major. The engine is in a chevy 4x4 now and is still going.