I have an '84 Z28 with the H.O. 305 and a 5 speed. And i just bought another 305 to rebuild with a spending budget of 1300 a month. I am looking to try to get as much power/ speed out of it as possible, but keep it street/ emmissions legal. It is all stock at the moment and i want to know whats the best way to go all the way from the ground up. I want to have an everyday driver yet be able to go fast when needed. Please help

 

ditch the 305 and buy a 5.3, you'll even have some cash left.

 

What is emissions/street legal depends on what the local laws are and that is different then what you can "get away with" based on what they check or even can check. $1300/month for how many months? What parts are on the current setup and what condition are they in?

 

Putting money into a 305 is like fighting a losing battle. Yeah there are gains but you will be pissed on what you could have done with the same amount of money and a different platform.

 

You guys need need to stop ******* guys who want to fix up 305's. If we wanted to do a 327 or a 350 we would ask about those motors. But we don't we want to do a 305. I don't mean to be an *** but I'm just sick of people saying to put a bigger motor in.

 

Don't worry, you'll understand someday too.

"Fix up" a 305 all you want. But if power is the objective, you're on a budget, and you have to do a rebuild, then keeping a 305 doesn't make sense. More displacement means more power for the same or less money.

 

If u can get a civic into the 11's and 12's with out killing the bank so can a camaro with a 305

 

What constitutes "emissions legality" where you are?

What'd you get for a 305? Was it roller? If so that would be the best to do. If you're planning on a short block I'd put Scat I-beams with good ARP bolts in as well as a set of forged pistons. The compression will depend on what you want to do. After that I'd be looking at heads. Vortec irons modified are good for a budget build, but I'd be looking at some aftermarket irons as the pre-86 stuff seems to have more/cheaper intake options. If you're looking for street drivability and aren't doing boost I'd be looking at a Performer RPM and if you're looking for boost the Vic Jr.

Besides that what kind of forced induction are you looking to do. My opinion is if you can fabricate go turbo, if you can't go supercharger. If you are on a budget (1300/mo is a pretty steep budget IMO, take your time and you will be fine) then go Nitrous. Nitrous is not street legal virtually anywhere you go so I'd probably avoid it if you're looking to have street power.

 

Sure. And It's not a question of what a 305 can do. It's a question of how to spend less money to do the same thing.

 

you have noticed the 350 crowd too, i see. all they can do is spout LS junk or 350350350!!!! now you CAN build a 305 to make respectable power. hot rod magazine did it a while back and i think they were getting 400 hp and 430 lbs ft torque.AND did it without a bunch of expensive,exotic stuff that we cant afford.

 

I am not ******* him. A 305 is just a bad platform. Like a 307 is not a great platform either.

 

I have a 305 with a stealth ram intake (vortech) 210 - 58CC straight plug Vortech aluminum heads, 1.6 Aluminum Roller rockers, and a custom ground cam. I have a Paxton Novi SC and am putting out over 400 HP. I am in my motor (not counting Paxton) for about $1,200 bucks, It is a numbers matching car (91 Z convertible) when dyno day comes and the car puts up impressive numbers I think its cool that it is a 305 doing it.

Build what you like, opinions are just that, some one elses. Go for it, your car your money, your choice, good luck!

 

I got 1300 a month for about 2 years.... And the car is a project car that i got and it runs and drives, but i have no problem stripping it back down seeing that i am in the military and want a nice car thats all built up as a hobby. And the emmissions would be CA laws if i decide to move back...

 

Cali emissions suck *****

 

If you're serious about getting a decent amount of power out of a 305, here, I'll lay out a simple recipe.

http://www.xs-power.com/gm-turbo-manifolds-1.htm

Slap a couple GT35 turbos on there.

http://www.turbobygarrett.com/turbob...R_803715_1.htm

A 750 blow through carb from CSU.

http://csucarbs.com/750.html

http://www.cnc-motorsports.com/produ...23&CtgID=21222

Some good heads like Patriot aluminum 185's with a nice 72cc chamber to keep that compression real low.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/PAR-2171/

And then just a whole bunch of other stuff to accompany such a build. A radiator that's up to the job, new trans, flywheel, clutch, driveshaft, and rear just to name the basics.

But with $1,300 a month for 2 years, you sure could do a twin turbo 305 build and get plenty of power. Then still slap yourself for not doing it with a 4" 350 block, stroking it out to a 383, and getting WAY more power yet.

 

He can't have that in Cali.

 

Hot rod mag built a 400hp 305 a while back.. So i am wondering with the newer parts if i could get more especially with a turbo setup... And the reason for a 305 is that everyone has a 350 and i want a unique car

 

U can't turbos and or put headers on your car in Cali.

 

you can put headers on your car in cali...

 

Looks like his location says Georgia to me.

 

Cali laws are awful, but im trying to get ahold of a 305 too

 

Read post 13. He's from Cali and may go back.

I've heard from a Lot of people that you can't put headers on cars caz it messes with the emmions.

 

wow, it's not about being unique, all the other guys are right, and it comes from experience, i built up my 305 and then i said i want a supercharger, so i slapped that on, do yourself a favor and get a 350, it cost the same amount and you'll make more power, i would be if i went with a 350.

 

I agree with "the elders" here. Dumping money into a 305 is wasting money and time. The reason these 350 and 5.3 guys are so cocky is because they're right.

 

I know of a site where you can get a remanufactured 350hp Chevy Gen I 350ci with 400lbs tq, COMPLETE ENGINE, for $2995, with a 12,000mi 12 month warranty (or a 36,000mi 36 month warranty for $250 more). It’s called www.cmengines.com.

Anyway, if your curious, look at street performance engines.

 

one, that combination won't work, lets start with you couldn't just bolt those heads to a 305, the valves are too big without notching the bores and even then it will be tight and shrouded.

Second, that's over $30K to spend on it... I love the idea of a 305 buildup, but unless you're out to prove what you can do with a 305, just swap something like an LS6 or LS7 or even a LSx + magnacharger or whatever, do the whole late model emissions legal swap and be done with it for that kind of money

 

Hot rod mags also built a 1203hp twin turbo 4.8 stock bottom end ls engine.
Remember that even a stopped clock is right twice a day

 

just go twin turbo big block an call it a day .lol

 

... And the reason for a 305 is that everyone has a 350 and i want a unique car[/quote]

Princible only matters to a certain point.

Go put in a supercharged mustang 4.6 if you want individualality. And everyone has 350s for a reason. they want to go fast. If you dont mind being slow and individual, the 305 is just right for you.

Just saying.

 

A 350 sounds nice, but i just done want it right now. Im going to buy another one and put a 383 or LSX in it later down the road. I want to do this build for a nice daily driver so i have something else once i get the larger motor camaro

 

I did some looking and that 400hp 305 will only cost about 1500 to build up

 

Doing a 305 to be different? When you pop the hood, there are NO easily visible clues as to whether it's a 305 or a 350. Choose the right damper, you can even hide a 383 or a 434.
To be different, it has to be an engine family that didn't come in the car, nor gets swapped in every day. That rules out ALL the Chevy V8s except the ancient 409.
Doing the 350 swap can still be Cali legal. The 409 can't.
Wanna be different, with cheap power? How about a straight 6 w/ turbo, from a Supra? That could be made Cali-legal. And it brings a strong manual trans with it, too!
Doing the 400 HP 305 for $1500 isn't happening. That might cover the cam, heads, and intake manifolds, but leaves out all the lesser details. Better plan on $3000. Plus it still won't be Cali-legal.
On your budget of $1300 / mo., just do the GMPP E-Rod package. That's Cali-legal.
Hot Rod magazine did it to their '79 Z28, it averages 24 MPG and puts down 402 HP at the rear tires, through a T56 and a 9" rear.

 

hey i'll sell yea a amc 360 out of a 75 jeep if you really want to be different . i've thought about put it in my camaro but i'm not sure about the motor mounts an if it will bolt up to my 700r4 .

 

LSX. Even if your just looking to drive it around the manners on these motors are impeccable with the power to boot, as well as 20+ MPG.

I grin every time I tell someone It's got a 5.7L in it.

 

as someone who has exp. with building small motors its about power to weight in most cases not sayin a 350 is a heavy motor but sometimes people just dont have all the tools to do the job or they dont want to get that involved with it but if a 400hp civic can run circles around mustangs and camaros with 100-200 extra horsepower then i mean keeping it a light setup with not alot invested money wise is a better choice to me because thats what i want to do for right now and when im ready for a bigger motor ill do that and sell the 305 and get some of my money back so if he wants to build a 305 i say go for it dude..