I have an 87 TPI 5-speed car and i kinda blew the engine :-( my bad. i am wondering if i found another 305 engine ever carbed or something could i just swap the intake and my "better" cam into that engine drop it in and drive away happy? it has to pass emissions as well if that will help with any answers.

 

I think your car has a one piece main seal and a roller cam so you would be best to get an 87 or later engine if you want to reuse your cam.

 

Yeah you have a one piece rear main seal and hydraulic roller cam. so find a late model 305 with these, look for centerbolt heads.
You could be happy with the cam and intake swap, and the heads would probobly be the same or very close.
However, if your heads are still good, why not put them on too, you don't want some junk yard heads with broken springs and bad seals.
Or better yet, throw a cam at it (smog legal cam) and do some head porting. Every time i have my motor out i wish i would have done something more to it before i put it back in. It is much esier with the motor out.
You'd come out with more power and still pass inspection.
But your stock cam is pretty good.

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'88 RS (originally 2.8)
-350, .040 over, vette alum. L98s, stock tpi.
-305 injectors & chip
-TES headers & edelbrock cat back
-3.73 gears, 700r4.
Best with 2.8-17.4@77mph
Best with 305-15.0@93mph
Best with 356-13.7@101mph
on a 2.050 60 ft.
(Damn the 2.8!)