Ok so in the next couple of months I'll be getting my taxes back and I thought I'd start doing my homework for an engine swap.

Here is what I would like to achieve.
- I have a 305 TBI now and would like to switch it to a 350 TPI (TPI setup from a 90-92 w/speed density)
- Don't need or want gobs of horsepower but would like to get between 300 & 350 HP at the rear wheels. What type of components should I be looking at for the engine to be able to do that. I also don't want it to be extremely loud.

Some parameters I have set for this project
- Want to keep it emissions legal i.e. - headers w/A.I.R. pipes, cat, etc.
- Budget around $3,000

This is just my preliminary research so any opinions would be apprecited. Plus this will be the first engine I have done completely on my own. So any pitfalls I should be aware of please do tell. Thanks everyone!

 

stock 350 bottom end, say an l98 short block, with some good free flowing heads, good cam, some port work on the intake and plenum, maybe some better runners, headers with a high flow cat and bigger exhaust all the way back and you could easily hit 300.
if you wanna go newer motor you can get a L31 from a 96-99 truck. they made around 290hp from the factory with a tiny cam. but youd have to either reevaluate the TPI setup, or get a vortec TPI base