Okay i have a 89 camaro TBI with a 305. It's so underpowered and I want more. I found a procharger kit for my engine for $2300. Should I get that or am I wasting my time and I should just get a 350 crate motor or something? Is this all hard stuff to install? Like is the ECU, fuel pump, blah blah blah all that stuff gonna need to be modified/replaced? I sort of feel like I'm in over my head... Can anyone help me figure out what to do?

 

well if you get a procharger now i think you might make more power on the 305 than a 350. But other than that the procharger will be interchangeable with a 350 so i would get the procharger save more money and eventually build a sbc designed for boost and make some serious power

 

Here's a link to the kit: http://www.tbi-superchargers.com/TBI...o_305_TBI.html

Now is this something I can install myself in my garage with my basic tool box? And what about like fuel delivery? Since the procharger is supplying way more air to the engine, wouldnt I need to do something to get more fuel mixed in or does the computer chip that comes with the kit compensate for that using the stock fuel set up?

 

OK, so let's assume that you have added more air and have a means for adding more fuel to the air. After that mixture leaves the intake manifold where does it go?

Would you say that your L03 engine has the complimenting parts to make the maximum benefit of forced induction? Or, do you see a glaring deficiency with the L03 that also needs to be corrected?

$2300 for the kit is the tip of the icerberg if you want to to get the maximum benefits of FI.

IMHO, you knew the answer before you posted, but hope is what's driving you, not reality.

 

Well obviously the L03 isn't going to utilize the supercharger to its full potential, but it would certainly make a significant difference in power compared to the stock set up now. Wouldn't you agree?

 

In case you can't tell, I'm trying to get you to take initiative and understand what a supercharger does, what is then needed to take advantage of FI and determine if the L03 is a good candidate, if not, why.

I could simply explain but it seems by your psoting style that this stuff is new to you and you may be a bit on the young side.

You will then look at the $2300 starting price and decide that it just isn't worth the money.

Seriously, and I'll give you a hint, understand the combustion process, the associated parts and then research said associated parts of the L03


Do not make the mistake of hearing about how newer vehicles have bolt on S/C kits that make an extra 100HP +. The difference is night and day between their design and that of gen 1 small blocks especially the smog years.

Here is an analogy that will get your mind thinking in the correct direction.

Go to WalMart and buy a cheap 1 gallon plastic bucket.

poke a hole in the bottom of the bucket with a 16 penny nail.

with your finger over the hole, have a friend fill the bucket with water using a 16 oz cup. When the bucket is full, remove your finger and time how long it takes for the water to evacuate.

Then, get a gallon milk jug, put your finger on the hole again and have your frined fill the bucket. Remove your finger and time how long it takes for the water to be gone.

hmmmm, whether you added the gallon slowly or quickly it takes the same amount of time for the water to FL_W

I'm sure you know what the missing letter is.

 

pretty much what he is trying to say is your intake is inadequate for supercharging because it would be like trying to force air through a straw. Get yourself a 350, you can easily get one up to 400hp N/A total in parts and the engine than what you would pay for a supercharger to mount on a 305 and maybe produce 290-320hp.

 

nope

I ran with the assumption that there was already a method to introduce the additional fuel and air needed. You can force more air into the L03's intake manifold anyway.

The OP needs to discover on his/her own what the combustion process is, the components involved and then research them on the stock L03. Once he/she does that, they will no longer ask about a $2300 supercharger and think that's all they need. The OP will then come to the realization that those who understand already know, but continue to be viscerated by newbs who base things on hopes rather than facts.

It's the only way for young uns to learn because to try and simply say "don't bother" will make them become defensive and think we are trying to crush their dreams but in reality we're providing sage advice.

 

ahh i thought you were just doing stock but it would be like forcing everything through a straw with those intake valves being so small. Also the whole horsepower and tq increase the 305, that was like maximum I was saying he could maybe get out of a stock 305 with a s/c on it. I was the same way when I was 14 just wanted to throw a blower on it til I found out I could make more hp and tq with less money on a 350 and it was a cheaper set up.

 

shh, you're starting to give part of it away

look at a dyno sheet of a L03 and even L98. Then, look at a dyno sheet of the newer 5.0s from Ford or the LS' from Chevy. Do you notice how they continue to make more HP as the rpms rise above 4k?

Why isn't it the same with the smog era engines? Why do they start to fall on their face after 4k rpm's ? This is what the OP needs to understand

 

Is it because the 305 has small intake ports, intake vales, and a bad cam? I want to know if I'm right? I love learning thing like this.

 

procharger

 

It's because TBI cars had swirlport heads, a very mild cam, and exhaust that is to a performance engine what a coffee stir stick is to a rich thick chocolate malted shake consumer.

 

Google David Vizard's books on how to build SBC's.Buy one and read cover to cover.

Ediit:Stay away from magazines like Hot Rod,Popular Hot Rodding,etc.There entire articles are constructed to sell you the parts from their advertisers.If you want to read something of value go to

www.Enginebuildermag.com

Look into the tech corner for advise for machine shops that build engines for a living.The site is geared towards them giving you insight.