Hello to all. I am a new member and I am currently in Afghanistan. I have bought all the suspension,chassis,tranny,rear stuff i want for my first 3rd gen project. All my parts are rated at least 500 hp and i dont plan on making that much. To get to the point all I have left is my motor. The stocker is a 305 tbi and it is in very good shape at 50,000 miles on the car. I want to build a nitrous motor with at least 350 to 375 hp without the juice and a 100 shot of nos on top of that. If this is feasable i would like to keep the 305. I know i will need new just about everything but i dont know much about the 305. Can the crank handle it. Are the heads workable or do i need to invest in new ones. I dont know jack about tbi so i will switch to carb b/c i have been a backyard hotrodder my whole life and i am familiar. I have never had a real well done car though and i want this one to be it. If i should just say screw the 305 and get a 350 i know i can do it with that b/c i have built them before but i have never messed with a 305. Anyone who has built a powerful 305 without jumping through crazy hoops advice would be great. I have been dreaming of building this car my whole deployment and i will have all the parts there for my first f-body build and this is whats getting me through this crap over here. I have a true love for these cars but i am a bodyman so i need advice for the motor stuff sometimes. Let me know what i need to get the job done and i will buy it and post the pictures of the car all buttoned up when i get back to the states thanks. "Doc" Wasser

 

There are a couple of good and relevant threads on high-power 305s in tech/general engine, you should read them. But long story short, you're going to need forged pistons, TFS 175cc heads, ARP rod bolts or aftermarket 6" rods (preferably) and then you can get to your goal. I'd upgrade the crank as well, but your stocker will serve if you never have any detonation.

 

First of all, thank you for your service. It is appreciated, and is not in vain.

Now, you say:

Answering that would require a definition of "crazy hoops". It could be argued that what Atilla is recommending is "crazy hoops". Mostly because you could easily attain your HP goals with a 350, and probably for less money (certainly parts choices will be much, much greater with a 350). There are no advantages to a 305 vs. a 350, and many disadvantages.

If your desire is to be different, there are better ways to be different. If 5.0 liters is intriguing, do it the other way - 4" bore & 3" stroke. Assuming a 0.030" clean-up overbore, you're at 306 cubic inches. Now the valves are unshrouded, making the engine freer breathing (meaning it will make more power). For no more than you would spend building a 305.

Of course, a 350 would still make more power.

 

Yeah i was thinking the 350 would probably save me money but i am stationed in alaska and i didnt want to freeze my ***** off scouring for a good block and i have never done a 305 and i figured i would end up breaking even on the cost of the build since i have a good block to start with and i could maybe have the stock heads machined. But by hoops i mean spending like a grand more than just building up a 350. Thanks for the advice guys and if you all know anyone who has a prior build and i could copy it that would work. I will dig through the forums for some builds while i am able to access computers for more info. Thanks again from me and all the hotrodders of baker co 3-509 airborne infantry!

 

Hey, if the car has a good 305, then carb. it, work out the bugs, and then spray it with a 100 shot. This way you can drive the car and it will make the 305 fun while you build the 350. All while getting used to the nitrous "hit" and you'll get used to how the car responds to it.

Trust me, once you catch the speed bug, you'll always want to go faster. At least with a 350, you can do that easier then pushing the limit with a 305.

Good luck and watch your *** out there.

 

I'm not sure I'd trust any machine shops in BFE Alaska, either to have good equipment to do the machining, nor the guys who would be found there, to be experienced with serious stuff beyond stock rebuild 350s. Your stock heads might even be swirl-ports, and if so, you're definitely spending for aftermarket. But the best of the stock 305 heads might get you close to 300 horses, with careful, conservative porting and a HR cam with COMP XFI lobes.
I agree with kid that a 350 hp 305 is jumping through hoops. How are you fixed for crank and rods? all good? If not, go for a 334 stroker. And BTW, are there any Chevrolet dealerships up there? If so, what's your budget for this build? Because $2200 will get you a new Vortec 350 L31 longblock that's just a cam, intake and headers away from 400 horses and 425 ft-lbs torque. (it comes with a lame cam, but it comes with the HR stuff you want.)