Very very very confused
 

Arghh...I think the more time I spend on here, the more confused I get about what to do with my engine needs. I really don't understand alot about compression, timing etc. I have a 91 camaro with the 305. I guess stock I'm cranking out 210 hp?? I'd like to swap in a 350 and would like to get around 300+ hp. But when I ask about rebuilt 350's for that era, they say it'll run around 240hp. But the crate350 TPI will run 300hp they claim. I don't understand seeing that it looks like the same engine (with cast iron heads and all). What is the diff b/t these engines?

Also, I've considered just buying a rebuilt 350 short block and buying some aluminum heads for it. Then I am assuming I can supply all the parts missing from the new 350+heads from the old 305 (knowing of course I need new injectors, sensors, chip). And if I did this, what kind of performance am I looking at??

ANy recommended advice, engine combos welcome.
Thanks for reading this and for your timely replies.
-Matt

don't use 305 heads on a 350 they don't flow as much as 350 heads and have smaller valves and chambers. the HP differances could be cams, heads, pistions, induction and exhaust. lot of parts look alike but preform lot differantly. keep reading on here and pick up a few books about SBCs.

sorry I should rephrase that: I am assuming that I can take the parts from the old 305 (i.e. intake and base plate and flywheel) and transfer them to a rebuilt 350 short block with aluminum heads installed.

Basically I'm looking for the best bang for my buck. I have about $3k to spend on the engine project. I have friends who can help me pull and reinstall the engine, so I'm not worried about mechanic fees. So with 3k to spend on the engine/parts alone, what would you recommend I do?

remove the 305, and get rid of the fuel injection.
TPI is costly, and produces no power of 4500rpm. to alter it, you need new runners, baseplates, new chips, etc etc, all that equeals money, proly around 500$$$ just to start.

You can get a GM crate motor, complete carb-pan, ready to run for 3300$$.
the HO 350, it has vortec heads, aluminum intake, Holley carb, and all that good stuff, it also makes 330HP.

the other option, is to check out a local engine shop and see what kind of engine deals they have.
I got mine for 1100$$, it included a 350 short block(assembled) heads, gasket set, cam, oil pan.
I spent another 600 on the intake, carb. flexplate, oil pan, nuts and bolts.
it makes about 300hp.

just look around and dont jump into anything to quickly.

Joshua: thanks for the input. Crate also has a 350 TPI that makes around 300 hp. Its a long block: the base plate and intake manifold come from my 305, along with flywheel. I hear your point on the carbed engines. I'd thought about it but think I'll stick with the TPI for posterity's sake. Anyway..it runs $2100. So I'll think I'll just stick with that because its easy and i get the power I want. Prob won't be a track superstar, but hey, I'll finally get to kick this POS mustang's *** that lives around the corner. Nothings more annoying than a 16 yr old in a 4.6L mustang w/ hollowed out cats and loud as roaring thru your apt. complex.

So with that crate engine plus headers, I'll eat his lunch.

I think you'll do just fine with the TPI. Port the base, match the runners to the base, and knock down the EGR walls behind the throttle body. It'll work just fine that way. You'll want a different chip to get the most out of that setup.

Right.... TPI has a magical effect on HP: it makes it disappear. Take a 300 HP 350, stick a TPI on it, you come out with a 240 HP motor. For that matter, take a ZZ4 350 HP motor which is essentially the identical same long block (block, crank, pistons, heads) as a Corvette TPI 350 except with a carb setup, stick a TPI on it, you come out with ...... you guessed it, 240 HP.

It simply doesn't breathe, in stock form. Plus, the "tuned" effect of the long tube runners is designed to boost torque in the 3600 RPM range, at the expense of power at any RPM above that. You have to open it way up to overcome the restriction, especially the base; and de-tune the runner system to extend the power band upwards. Like madmax says, there are a few things you can do t help it out, without too mauch $$$$; but if you want to get past 300 crank HP, it starts getting real expensive and real tricky. But, 300 HP is a no-brainer with a carb. It's your $$$, you have to make that choice. And of course, sometimes emissions laws will make it for you, depending on where you have to license the car.

I don't know who "Crate" is. People usually refer to motors that they don't build themselves, but rather just buy from somebody else like appliances or something, as "crate" motors, because that's how they get shipped. They don't do well in a box.

well. if you want my opinion (too bad, your gettin it anyway) I'd say just bide your time (assuming you have some) and wait. I waited almost a year on my motor. I'm on much more limited funds than you are, but I found a rebuilt 350 that is slightly built (bored .030 and cammed) for 400 bucks.... it came carb to pan... and seems to be a good motor... now later i'm gonna spend some more money on heads (which are expensive) and I should have a pretty good running motor.... My hard learned lesson for the day is, just be patient and it will come....

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