Hey there, I recently purchased a 85 Trans Am with the 305 HO 4bbl, I love the engine but in todays standards 190 hp and 240 torque isn't anything special. So currently I am in the process of obtaining a rebuilt 350 from a 92 Trans Am with 245hp and 345 torque. The only catch is that my 305 has a carburetor, and the 350 is TPI. I don't really know anything about switching from a carb to TPI. What all would I have to do?

(Also, don't tell me to go with something other than the 350, I know there are better engines out there but I am perfectly happy right now with those specs, also don't say in that case just to beef up the 305 because if I do decide that in the future I want a little more juice I don't want to spend $1,000 because I have already done all the little things.)

 

You'd be a fool to try and do the TPI swap (in my opinion). Why? Alot of folks are dying to swap to carb, but can't legally. You CAN, since you are already carbed from the factory! Where everyone else has to do what they can with chip programming to make mods and get power, you don't!

Swapping to TPI would mean swapping out the entire pass side harness, both iside the car and out, as well as the ECM. Then, you might end up needing custom chips programmed - PITA!!

Staying carbed - all you have to do is swap the 305 block for the 350, and you are done pretty much. Might need a 350 knock sensor and a few minor things. You'll get alot more power alot more easily keeping your carb - that stock carb will easily power a 350 and you actually get better mileage out of the carb than the TPI (the Quadrajets can make amazing power and keep great mileage). The quad can be tuned much easier than dealing with chips.

Swap the block, tune the carb, and see what you get. If you have access to the TPI computer, harnesses, etc. then grab them - maybe you'll want to try it later - and if not, you can sell the setup pretty easily. But try with the carb first - much easier and I think you'll be happy with the results because the 350 is going to scream compared to the 305.

 

Okay so I am looking at this engine right now. http://market.autopartsfair.com/pont..._350rlb_4.html I shouldn't have any problem with making this into a carbed engine right? just b asically throw on my manifold and carb from my 305 on it right?

 

Make sure they're not putting crappy heads on. Should be 083's (as it says in the lower part of the listing - the "description" indicated swirlport heads).

But, then, your intake manifold wouldn't fit. It would all work if you got an '87-up spreadbore intake with EGR for it.

Oh, and your flexplate wouldn't fit on that engine. Easy enough <$50 solution.

 

Okay thanks. the 350's and 305's are very similar so I shouldn't have to change anything else should I?