I've been debating wether or not to swap in a chevy 305 for my efi 2.8L. I'm just trying to make a nice street machine. The only reason I'm stuck is I know that the car will be more valuable if i keep it all stock and just restore it, or will it be worth it to swap engines.

The 305 is from my step dad's 1986 chevy pickup.

 

if your going to do a swap, y not swap in a 350? as far as value these cars arent worth much i would go with a good swap and nice trans and go from there.

 

the only reason i'm not swapping a 350 is because the 305 is FREE

 

The headache just isn't worth it to swap in a 305. Trust me on this

--The motor might be free, but everything else you need isn't.

 

eather way its a pain in the back... but he would need a fuel regulator, intake manifold and dizzy and carb for the 305. wouldnt it swap over to a 350 later?

 

Original V6 cars will probably never be worth as much as the same car with a V8. Go ahead and modify it if that's what you want.

A carbed 305 in general isn't going to have that much more power then a 2.8 V6. The expense and effort involved in the swap isn't worth the trouble for what basically amounts to a different torque curve and a V8 exhaust note. Sure you could always swap it out for a 350 later, but where's the sense in doing the job twice?

 

^Plus trans, exhaust, fuel pump, and so on. That is a lot of cash and work for another unimpressive engine.
Easiest swap: sell the 305, sell your v6 car, buy 350 car.

 

ok you have perked my attention for the 350. how much would the engine itself cost.