Hi i want to swap my 305tbi out for a 350tbi and i just wanted to know what kind of car or truck would have the best kinda 350 in it, as far as heads, cam, most HP, and torqe. Thanks

 

Hey welcome abaord. Take a look here and read the section about TBI engines found in other cars. You will find that the LO5 305 TBI found in caprice cars is the way to go. truck 350 TBI's are okay but are non roller set-ups. Also, any stock TBI 350 out there only makes about 220hp and 300 or so lb ft. There isn't much point in swapping out your stock 305 TBI for a 350 TBI if you leave it stock.

 

Mine is an 87 350TBI from a Suburban rated at 210hp and 300tq.
Probably the best I've seen from a factory setup. Be aware that the truck motors did not get the roller cam option until 1995, though.
I have swapped mine, but haven't yet gotten a new chip for the computer. (Changing jobs, trying to catch up on mortgage, you know the deal)
Overall I am pretty pleased with the setup. Why are you changing over to another engine, if I may ask?
The reason I am asking is, that if your current engine is still working, then PLEASE, do not do what I did.
Do not rush your motor swap. I am kicking myself now for not going through the entire engine while I had it out and half apart.
- Have the heads checked, replace the valve seals.
- If you are going to do a cam, now would be the best time, and to have new cam bearings and freeze plugs (brass) installed.
- New pistons and/or rings, and all fresh gaskets.
Oh yeah, I'm not sure if this applies to you, but if your origninal heads have a coolant temp sensor in them, remove the plug from the 350 heads and put that in before you install the engine. (Speaking from experience here)

 

Or you can just buy a new one like me and slap on your injection system.

 

I plan on rebuilding it but i dont wanna get a 350 and only use the block because i had to go with different heads, intake, and TB. The reason i plan on swapping motors is because i hear a lot of people on this site saying save you time and money and get a 350 instead of trying to build up a 305. Im not looking for a race engine just looking to get around 300hp and a decient 1/4mile time without spending a lot of money. Is this the right way to go and is having a roller cam that much better? THANKS

 

If I bought a truck TBI motor the first thing I would do is ditch the swirl port heads and upgrade to some Iorn L98 heads. I have the swirl ports on a 1992 tbi. If you look down the port, near the valve the runner is cast 1/2 shut. I believe all the L05 truck engines are the same. The differences being tuning, air cleaner setup, and exhaust. You need to grab either the 350 injectors or the 350 TBI assembly. You will also need to get a chip meant for a LO5 caprice cop car. You need a ESC module for a 350 and the matching knock sensor. Add a small cam (the 1992 I have has roller lifter bosses (tapped) but a regular hydraulic flat tappet cam. I would upgrade to a stock LT1 cam or vortec 350 cam. That combined with the L98 heads you should be looking at lots of torque and decent HP.

 

Thanks for the help hopefully i can get to a junk yard this weekend and see if a can find a decient motor. thanks

 

See that, man I should've been looking for a caprice instead of a suburban. Then I'd still have roller....
You da man, Shifty!

Ah well, cam and lifters for flat tappet is alot cheaper, though.

 

jconrad, I'd check your motor, you won't have a roller cam as you're saying but you may still have the provisions for one. Some of the non-roller blocks had provisions for roller cams. If that's the case you can switch over easily.

 

How is a 305tbi from a caprice that much better than the 305 in our cars? if there both 305 made by GM around the same year wouldnt they pretty much be the same?

 

Yup, it's got the bosses in the lifter valley, just not tapped. I don't know if the lifter bosses are different as opossed to non roller though. But I did not save any of the other parts from the 305 except the spider(?)

Oh yeah; Miller, I have learned that there were some caprice cars that came with the 350 TBI L05 motors, also. Probably alot harder to find though.

I imagine the 8th digit would also be a "7" like the trucks?

Roller cam produces less friction than flat tappet, so they will last longer and the valves also open and close with less lift. At least that's the way it was described to me.
But like I said, flat tappet is still at least $100 cheaper, with the lifters included.
If you are going to be building up to 300hp, then you've got to do like I eventually will (and Fast305 said), and swap the heads. The vortec's seem to be very popular around here, but you need a vortec TBI intake. I think that you will have to do external plumbing to make the EGR functional though. (Again, not a known fact, but I did get that info from GMperformanceparts)
I do not know yet if anyone else makes an aftermarket Vortec TBI intake yet. Maybe Edelbrock?
You really need to search in through these boards for more info before you decide what to buy. There is literally tons of info here, and a great number of people here, more knowledgable, than me

 

Thanks for the help