I have a 92 Camaro RS with an L03 305 (TBI) and a manual transmission. As it turns out, I am due for a rebuild sooner than later, which was quoted on average around 4400 in the Hubert, NC area to do so. Original engine be dammned, what are your recommendations in regards to upgrading to a 350? I don't really need anything over 300hp, nice, but not what I'm trying to do. Can I a)salvage anything from the 305, specifically accessory belt drive components, perhaps wiring harness? and b) what may I run into in regards to actually doing that kind of swap? Will I need to go junking for a 350 wiring harness and computer? Or can I eliminate that alltogether by going back to a carb setup? I have $3500.00 to work with.

Note: Per NC emissions regulations, vehicles 1996 or older are not subject to emissions inspections. Safety inspection only

$4400 to rebuild a 305? Highway robbery.

How's this sound? Use your current accessories, and add the following:

http://www.jegs.com/i/Chevrolet-Perf...rentProductId= Free shipping right now, $2025.

Add a Vortec intake manifold (~$200), good carb (~$400), headers (I'd suggest http://www.jegs.com/i/Hooker+Headers/520/2055/10002/-1 , $475 right now, free shipping), cat-back (like http://www.jegs.com/i/Hooker-Headers...rentProductId= , $345).

About $3450 to that point. You'll need some small stuff like a pipe between the Y-pipe and cat-back, air cleaner, throttle cable, radiator hoses, fuel pressure regulator, fuel line, etc. A little over your budget, I'm afraid.

Sadly, all of the LO3 exhaust is junk. If you don't go headers, at least find somebody who's taken off their TPI exhaust and selling it cheap. You could go cheaper on the headers, but finding a set with a good Y-pipe for less money isn't going to happen, and custom made exhaust stuff gets expensive fast.

Are there any hot-rod car clubs near you that you can join? Hang out with some of them and start talking to them about rebuilding motors, they'll name drop eventually on where to go. This is how I found a reliable transmission guy here in Salt Lake city. Costs me about half of what some of the shops want.

That's what I said. I thought that generally, rebuilding an engine should cost at most a little less than building a new one. I will say thanks for doing some of the digging for me. For a budget build (dare I say mild performance?) it doesn't look to bad. Now, I am doing my research via the forums here, and correct me if I'm wrong, when it comes too wiring, I am going to assume that most of it can be shaved off, specifically any of the computer stuff in relation to the TBI? I don't imagine I need that much in the way of computerization, however primitive, to run a carburated engine?

Also, on the subject of carbs, what are your thoughts concerning brand and CFM? For CFM, should I be looking in the 650-750 range? I have been hearing no so great things about Edelbrock. Would a Holley be a better option, or should I try to track down a QJet?

I'm digging. The ones I have turned up are either not in existence anymore, or are Vette-centric. The one Camaro one is comprised mostly of 5th generation, with like 2 4th generation, cars. I'll check them out, but I think since most of their vehicles are still well-covered by factory warranty, they might not be able to offer too much in the way of word of mouth on machine shops, body shops and the like.