I have a 1982 Trans Am, hardtop with 82k miles and a dead LG4. The car also has the T-10 4 speed manual transmission and the WS7 (limited slip/3.23 rear). The car is pretty much stock, with original suspension and exhaust.

I'm not sure which engine I should go with. I don't plan to race the car; the original LG4 seemed plenty quick to me. I thought a rebuilt 305 HO would be a cheap engine to swap in, but it seems that a brand new GM goodwrench 350 would only be around $250 more.

The 350 seems like it would spark off a neverending project of upgrades on the car. The suspension and exhaust would probably have to change. The T-10 4-speed would probably be the next major limiting factor (engine does 3 grand at 65-70mph)..

So, does the rebuilt 305HO sound like a waste of money? Would the 350 be any better on fuel? If I keep the computer controlled quadrajet and smog junk, will the car still be able to pass NJ inspection?

-Kevin

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1982 Pontiac Trans Am 305 LG4 4sp T-10 hardtop WS7 stock
http://www.geezernet.nu/transam
1982 Pontiac Trans Am 305 LU5 TH-200 t-top, loaded
http://www.geezernet.nu/transam/blackt

 

For my money I would go for the 350 its just an allaround better engine, wouldnt count on better gas mileage but if you 305 running a little off I guess it could be possible.
Dont know what emmision laws are for your state but it shouldnt be a problem. I just know that some staes have detailed inspections and dont allow for increases
in CI.

 

Well, I was getting 11-13mpg, stock setup and a rebuilt carb, with the smog stuff all in check except for an EGR that never opened.. I'm sure a bunch of the mild 350's out there get double my gas efficiency..

 

I have vigorously defended those who have proposed building their 305's as an economical performance alternative to a 350. However, only if that person is starting out with a currently healthy 305.

If you need to go completely through or buy a new/rebuilt 305, then the more sensable route is to get a 350. As for opening up a can of worms, even the lowly LG4 is choked by its air cleaner and exhaust, and frame and suspension upgrades help even V6 cars, so don't consider those upgrades as a cost of going with a 350. I'm not all that familiar with the T-10, but I assume you're referring to a lack of overdrive.

As for fuel economy, you either had a poorly tuned/running 305, or you are in it all the time. If the former, either a 305 or 350 will have to be tuned properly to get the most economy out of it. If the latter, you know how to fix that...

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82 Berlinetta, orig V-6 car, now w/86 LG4/TH700R4. 2.93 limited slip. Cat-back from '91 GTA, Accel HEI SuperCoil. AMSOIL syn lubes bumper-to-bumper. Daily driver, work-in-progress (LG4 w/'87 LB9 block, ZZ3 cam and intake, World 305 heads, Hooker headers & y-pipe, 3" Catco cat & 3" cat-back).
57 Bel Air, my 1st car. '66 396, 9.7 CR forged TRWs, Weiand Action+, Edelbrock 1901 Q-Jet, GK 270 cam, Magnum rockers, Jacobs Omnipack, 1-3/4" Hedders & 3" Warlocks, TH400 w/TCI Sat Night Special conv & Trans-Scat shift kit, MegaShifter, 3.08 8.2" 10-bolt w/Powertrax, AMSOIL syn lubes bumper-to-bumper. Idles smooth @ 600 RPM in D. Best 15.02/95.06 @ 5800' Bandimere (corrected 13.93/102.4 @ sea level).

 

It really is just a matter of preference. The 305 will probably give you a bit better MPG and will be more of a direct bolt-in (less tuning) while the 350 will give you a ton more torque at the expense of some MPG and tuning. Whatever you do, make sure you get it dialed in correctly. With the HO 305, get a new chip, with the 350 add different rods in the q-jet. Either way you go, you should be able to pass emissions (assuming all is well set-up) and get a lot more than 11-13 MPG. My LG4 with A4 and a 4.10 gear got 18 in town and 22 on the highway.

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DG

1984 Z28 LG4/A4
Mods: are you kidding? They cost money.
Powered by Eclipse, Kicker, Rockford Fosgate, JL Audio, and MB Quart.

 

If roughly the same price, go for the 350. As a swap in, worst case is it behaves like a 305, you dont lose anything, really. And when you up the intake and exhaust you will start to have the power of a 350. Since there arent any real external differences, you can then claim "Oh, its just stock w/ a few bolt ons".

Clayton

 

Thanks for the replies.. It's sounding like a 350 is the way to go even if it ends up being somewhat oppressed until I start upgrading everything else.

Kevin