I am going to purchase the 1993 Lo5 from gm and wanted to get advice from people who have done the swap.Im going from a 305 tbi to 350 carb.What parts will i need to make the swap go smoothly.The engine is around 1500 and i can spare 1500 more to complete the task...Any help is appreciated

 

With $3000 you should do exactly what I did and get the 330hp vortec engine. The L05 is a dog with the stock heads, not worth it unless you're only using it for the bottom end. The only down side to the 330hp vortec engine is that it uses cast pistons. Not really good if you plan on going with a power adder in the future (I'm not so...)

------------------
, Jon (350 TBI!)
91 Red My website

 

I agree.

IMO replacing the LO3 with the LO5 is like replacing a boat anchor with another one.

For 1500 bucks you can build up a real nice 350 and not have a low hp engine.

 

madmax: sorry to argue but you say for $1500 he can build a real nice 350...well he doesnt have a 350 core to start with..so he has to find one. here's what im seeing...assuming the worst about the 350 core he picks up

350 block - $100
350 crank - $100
rebuild kit with CAST pistons $250
shortblock assembly around these parts $200
roller rockers $150-250
nice crane cam $150
better than stock intake $120 +/- $20-50
needs a carb $200-250 for nice holley
misc (fluids hoses clamps parts plugs wires cap rotor) ill be conservative and say $100
thats so far = 1370
he's not going to pick up a set of really good heads for $130 so the engine is pretty much going to be stock for that $1500

for a nice better than stock 350.. say 330-350hp @ crank i think $2100-$2500 is more realistic. that way you can buy at least forged pistons incase a power adder is used later on and trickflow aluminum heads or sportsmen II's. those are both around $800

just my opinion. feel free to question my estimated prices and what not.

 

"better than stock intake $120 +/- $20-50
needs a carb $200-250 for nice holley
misc (fluids hoses clamps parts plugs wires cap rotor) ill be conservative and say $100"

This stuff doesnt come with the crate engine.

 

i never said they did. i was pointing those items out as things that would have to be bought for the "nice 350" you say he can build for 1500.

im just arguing that a nice 350 cannot be built on 1500. mainly depends on your definition and my definition of nice. i think he can do better than stock with 1500 but not anything fantastic.

i think his best bet is probaly the complete GM goodwrench engine.

 

I cant see how going from a 305 with a hp rating of 170 to a 350 with a hp rating of 250 is switching from one anchor to another.I dont have a core 350 and would rather buy a new engine then buy one from a junk yard.I do not want a 350 to 400+ hp motor.I want reliability and power when i demand it from my motor.This is my first car and do not intend to build a monster yet.Now i read everyone talking about 1500 dollars will not be enough to build an engine.I got the core for 1500 and have an additional 1500 for parts that i may need.