I have a 1991 Camaro Z28 305 TPI with 120,000 miles on the engine. I just got the 700-R4 rebuilt with corvette parts so that can handle the power. Should i get the engine rebuilt and stay at the 305 CI or step it up to a 335 Stroker? Is this even necessary to run a 100 HP shot of nos? Would it be the safer way to go? Anything you can give me will be a great help. Also if you have had sucess with a certain set-up of nitrous, i would love to know. Thanks

 

i hear the stroker makes some mad low end torque because of the small bore and long stroke...if you do get the stroker im sure it could handle nos...you might wanna save your money and just run nos on the 305...will add about the same power but cost much less if you have to rebuild the motor just build it with forged everything and you could bump the nos shot up even higher

 

I'll be the one to say it...

spend an extra $100 bucks on a 350 block. The complete cost of the rebuild will be the same or less (definetly less than a 334). The same amount of nitrous will give you a larger power increase on a 350. You can use vortec heads (cheap), but if you have tpi you need the vortec intake (expensive). As far as preping the engine for nitrous, aviod hypereutectic pistons.

keep in mind this is comming from a "305 guy"...just a smart one

-peace

 

I agree, as well as typically building a 305 with nothing more than forged pistons would cost more than building a 350 w forged pistons. I have customers using a 100 hp shot on some very tired 305's and 302's with good results

 

My 305 TA has 86000 miles, I went with the TPI wet shot 100hp, It is quite faster now, but a 350 is still the way to go..

 

If i get ahold of a 350 block, buy a forged rebuild kit get it built, will the heads, intake, and intake set up work on the 350? Would i just be able to get any old used 350 block or does it have to be a certain year to work?
Thanks

 

If i had to say anything, i'd say save the hassel and get a 350. Tpi is great on em with Nos. But if you wanna spend a little less money and create power with less CIs i'd say stick with the 305, get forged everything, Vortec heads are a steal for the $450(a pair!) and an intake for the heads is a little expensive.. (something like 399.99 from Scoggin-Dickey) But this plus the Nos will create the power, i think you'll be happy with it.

 

oh, i didn't read your last post Doogie. Picking up an 87+ 350 is not that hard at the scrap yard.. because some people who don't respect F-bodies tend to get into accidents quite often.. and that hurts me(i've seen way too many go to waste). But you could find something in the scrapyard with a smashed rear-end and side and get the engine(L98) for quite cheap. I found a L03-$150 with 60kmiles on it, and a LT1 with a bunch of miles for 600, so in between those... a good deal you'll find one for about $300-$500. anything pre-86 i don't think will work, different bolt pattern or something. ZZ4 crate 350 are outstanding. tested with intake and 625cfm carb, they make like 330 hp. and they're like a little more than 2grand.

 

sorry, my mistake. That's the GM Performance 350 Crate motor, not the ZZ4. the ZZ4HO makes 355 hp and retails for $3395.99

 

White Ninja,

Would it be better to buy a forged rebuild kit from Summit or Jegs or is it better to buy each part seperately and then put it all together? I have heard that when you buy a kit not everything will be forged. Also, i have heard that parts made in america are stronger and will take more punishment. Is that true when it comes to engine parts?

 

I just found water in the oil of my 88 305 TPI.

I ran 100 shot on it for about 15k miles. I installed a wet NX system when the motor had 125K miles on it.

My times dropped from 14.89 to 13.52 and was very happy it lived as long as it did. I determined long ago that if I need a rebuild I would go no less then a 350.

I say flog the 305 and save for a bigger motor. You'll have fun in the mean time.

 

l agree with all the guys that are saying swap in a 350. l used to have a 305 TPI. Don't get me wrong it was an awesome motor. But l was looking more in the range of 1 HP per CID of motor. I had my 305 on the squeeze, it ran awesome, turned in a 13.3 on 150 shot.

I considered rebuilding and stroking my 305, and did a lot of research on it. To me it seemed like it was more money than it was worth. I felt like stroking a 305 would make as much horsepower as a strong running 350, but stroking a 350 for the same cost and less labor would make some serious power.

I think I came up with the ultimate decision though. Once I came up with $3,500 I bought the ZZ4 350 (355 405) I was amazed at the results of it. totally streetable, totally reliable, and super fast.

check my signature for stats

 

i agree, Mouse.. the 305 is an awesome engine. good daily driver, good fuel economy, and you can still do burnouts
-it can also beat most of the ***** burners from light to light.

Made in USA is the way to go... out of my experience, everything is tough, everything can take a beatings and everything is made right. If you found a "forged" engine kit, it's probably all forged, but if you don't wanna deal with anything that might go wrong, buy the forged stuff seperately. This way you know what your buying, instead of getting everything thrown into a box for a price...
If you are leaning toward the "forged kit", CALL THEM and ask them directly, ask them if EVERYTHING is forged...


if you want the experience of putting an engine together, find an old one.. take it to a machine shop to be cleaned. Buy the parts and put it together... you'll have plenty of help off of here if you need it. If you have $ on the other hand, MouseCamaro was smart in getting the ZZ4, it's a great engine!