Wondering if anyone has done this before, and if they have how much it cost and what kind of engine did you throw in there. I purchased a 1984 berlinetta and lo and behold i just recently learned the stock 305 only has 150 (really? thats atrocious). If anyone has suggestions as to what to do id appreciate it. The car is in immaculate condition its breath taking condition. but i wanted a muscle car not a fake out. If not im gonna trade it for some better car or sell it.

 

Hey, don't knock it - the '82 LG4 was rated at a whopping 145 HP. . .

Rather than just settle for one Berlinetta engine swap, I'm doing 2. If you check my vBGarage, you'll see that Berlinetta #1 has had 2 engine swaps (plus one upgrade), and soon will have the third.

 

I understand your one of the most knowledgeable on this whole website with a rep to follow. Would you recommend modding it? its got 126k on the motor trans. I was looking for a car that wasnt going to be ridiculous with power but right now its a sad little puppy =[

 

After driving Berlinetta #2 for a couple of months, I had to swallow hard before starting to take it apart. A couple of weeks ago while I was out in the garage working on it, my wife asked if she would be allowed to drive it after it was done. I said of course she would, to which she responded, "I kind of liked it the way it was before."

You can pep up the 305, which is basically what I did with the 305 mods listed in my vBGarage. My first post here after driving it the first time was, "This is the way the factory should have done the 305."

BUT. . .

There was a bigger difference going from the hopped-up 305 to the 350 than there was going from the stock 305 to the hopped-up 305.

Any reason you wouldn't mod it? Collector value is not much of an argument.

A simple truck 350 shortblock with an aftermarket cam upgrade, better air cleaner, and full exhaust change-out would really wake it up. Higher stall torque converter and steeper gears would make a completely different car out of it. Sway bar upgrades (well, it doesn't have a rear sway bar, so that would be an install) would help it do more than go straight well.

 

There's nothing you can buy that'll give you more acceleration for less money than you'll get from the mild 350.