Has anyone built up a 305 that has actually been legal for California? I understand that there are a plethora of parts of a 305, but many of them are not legal for California.

If anyone would like to share their build up, or any suggestions they may have, that would be great! My plans so far are :

WP 305 Torquers
LT1 cam, or unless World suggests a better cam
Holley 670
Edelbrock performer (Weiand is NOT legal in CA)

and of course the usual :exhaust, open air, yada yada...

Also, I heard of a $99 POSI unit - who makes it and where can I find one? Also, any suggestions on rear-end ratio? I had 3.42 in my old '87 IROC and I LOVED it - any sugestions on this?


Oh, and before any mentions it, I realize I have a lot of PROM work to do to make ANY combo work

thanks!

 

That combo sounds pretty good. Probably 270-280fwhp. The only problem with the 305 and hopping it up in CA is that it's harder to get away with things. A 350 Lt1 cam in a 305 is not going to react exactly like it would in a 350, the power band is actually moved up with the 305 so it'll have less idle quality. Just keep that in mind.
The posi is a take-off unit from 4th gen f-body's that were converted from firebird to firehawks and camaro's to SS's. The unit is pleny strong for your build and you can't beat the price. I've got one and it's seen a lot of hard miles. I've also got Richmond 3.73's and they feel GREAT vs the old 2.73's.
When it comes to CA and emissions, gears and posi aren't going to get you failed, it's the engine tuning and visual inspection. Definatly get into tuning your car. Remember to disable EGR and a bunch of other crap like the IAC etc before you start fine tuning, else you'll be wondering why the BLMs are never stable.
If you can find some vette heads I would do that before the Worlds. After you get the car checked out and passed, swap in a zz3/zz4 cam for fun. That'll really wake things up. Or just skip out on the Lt1 cam since it's probably best matched with stock heads, and just use the stock peanut cam for passing emissions, then go zz4 . I just ran it through desktop dyno and it seems to be a great cam with those heads while keeping peak power under 5500rpm.

 

hey if you find a good recipe for a 305 buildup post it or email it to me or something cause im trying to decide to build up my 305 tbi or go to a 350 tbi. and i have the same prob you do with the ca emmissions crap.

 

YES YES YES, me too, 305 and ca emissions, i have an lt1 cam and world heads already, just haven't put them on. I was hoping that someone could say they actually passed smogged (no favors from friends) with this or a similar setup.

mike

 

looking at that list you have, i think the only thing id do diff is put in 3.43 gears instead. and maybe find a bigger cam that can still pass smog if there is one.

 

I have a new 350 on a 305/tbi 5 speed car in CA.
With cop car injectors, custom chip, Crane compucam 2030 (HR), Edelbrock Performer TBI Intake, SLP Headers, 3" cat, Turbo City ported throttle body and AFPR.
It passes CA smog as a 305, (with the stock air cleaner for the visual). The cam, headers and intake all have C.A.R.B. approval in CA, though, technically, the chip, 160 degree stat and AFPR are not legal, but they are not easily noticed.
It makes over 300 HP (Flywheel).
Trans is now a Tremec TKO and rear has 3.73 gears/posi.
Gears will help a lot, but there are lots of bolt-ons that will help make power and are still legal in CA.
Mine is a 350, but the cam I'm using will work in a 305, though it will probably not be as smooth at idle in the smaller motor.
-Rich-

 

This summer ill be installing an L05, with LT1 cam, Edelbrock TBI intake, cop car chip and 65# injectors.

We should all try to keep eachother up to date on our projects. Including any dyno data, chip tuning, and smog.

 

do you have any info on the difference between teh lt1 and that compucam you used? I assume the compucam is a roller too.

thanks,
Mike

P.S. definitley would like to be kept in the loop on those projects

 

GM LT1 cam (96) is 205/207 deg dur (@.050) and .447"/.459" with 117 deg lobe sep.
Crane 2030 is 204/214,.429"/.452" with 116 deg lobe sep.
(also hydraulic roller)
Actually, fairly close specs.
Both are great for tbi because of the high lobe separation.
(also makes them emissions friendly)
-Rich-

 

I would guess that the lt1 woudl make more power though because of the increased intake lift?

Mike

 

That would probably depend somewhat on whether the heads used are better on the intake or exhaust ports. Often, a cam is bigger on one side or the other to make up for the weaker flow capabilities of the cylinder head.
In my opinion, they're probably very close, power output-wise.
Biggest advantage to the LT1 cam is that they're available for very little money. (like $50)
I probably would have used one myself, but the 350 Longblock I bought came with the Crane Cam.
-Rich-

 

now i know absolutely nothing about cams but im needing/willing to learn. i have made up my mind in the past 3-4 days that im keeping my 305 and not swapping a 350. so now im nailing down part #s and stuff like that and just finding out what is going to give me the best power. ive never changed a cam but is that much work? id imagine you'd have to drop out the engine? will the lt1 cam pass smog? and what do you use in determining good cam and head match?

 

so is it agreed on that for a ca smog legal car, that you dont have to change the cam all the time on, the lt1 would be a wise choice?