Is it possible to switch a 305 5.0L with a 350 5.7L? If so what kind of engine is best?

 

Welcome aboard thirdgen.org.

Yes, very possible. But, in order to be specific, we'd need to know specifically which 305 you have - year, induction, etc.

 

Its in an 88' Firebird, TBI induction, 4-speed auto.

 

Then you have the LO3. Any of us who have driven one understand what's less than iseal about it. So, which 350 were you considering, or what's your budget, or what are your desired end results/performance goals? Is the LO3 running well enough, for what it is? Have you done headers and exhaust yet?

 

I was thinkin a GM Performance Fast Burn 385 with a Borla exhaust system.

 

Yea im thinkin about using the Fast Burn 385 in my 86 camaro iroc z... Either that or the LS1

 

So then you're looking to spend in the neighborhood of $6000 start to finish. Are you doing the work yourself or having a shop do it?

 

So to get the LS1 done in a shop its going to be $11000-$13000... Thats what Hawks 3rd Gen quoted me

 

so your junkin the stock engine management?? that should be really easy huh? mine was a 305 and we put the vortec longblock in real easy. my uncle rigged up the egr somhow and drilled the stock intake... runs real good, but im ready to make it faster, especially since the 2.73 1 legger just frys my drive tire if i try to take off fast lol anyone feel sorry for me and want to donate a posi unit?!?!
we put a LO5 long block in my freinds camaro that was simple and cheap, got all my info on this site then went out and did what we could afford... but if youve got 6k cash you should be ab le to do just about anything in my mind lol

 

If you buy a LS1 from summit or JEGS, you're looking at $6200 with NO ECM, fuel rails or anything like that. It's just the long block. THen you have to buy all the stuff that didn't come with it, figure another $1K to $2K so you're up to $8200 or so before you isntall it. Then, to get the shop to install it you're looking at a minimum of $1700...

I'm saying $1700 because that's what I was quoted to have my 350 installed by a shop and it's just a 350 that replaced my 305.

Now, if you find a wrekced Camaro, Caprice, firebird, corvette in a junk yard with a good motor, ECM, engine harness etc, it can be lots cheaper.

1. Those engines with minimum of work are already running motors.
2. You don't have to buy al lthe extras
3. It's your time and labor to get it running

So you're looking at maybe $2k to pull one from a junk yard (or less) and get it running. THen install it yourself or have a shop do it. You're already at half the cost of buying a "new" motor and having it installed.

 

just to agree with Ozz. to save yourself money here is what happened to me. found a motor for sale 1990 caprice LO5 with the 9C1 option. 65,000 miles on the motor. $100. bought a master gasket set from summit ~ $135. it had a new ac compressor on it. i had a new powermaster alt already. bought a new water pump ~$150 high performance one. had a friend of mine put it in for $400. he used my tpi intake and the smaller 305 injectors that i had since i dont have a 350 chip or 22# injectors. someone gave me 24# ford bluetops and another friend is going to custom tune a chip. so under a thousand dollars and i got a really nice fast car. then i replaced all the exhaust and made it faster and still under $2000. you can do it cheaper and not spend so much. but hey if you've got the dough then don't putt for show. 2 cents