Irockz

iTrader: (1)

Hey fellas,I posted a couple of weeks ago about a 350 TBI for my 92 pickup,replacing the current 4.3 V-6.

Well,I got the engine,accessories and ECM out of my donor truck.I thought the engine from the donor was junk,mixing water in the oil,dead holes,etc.I figured it was a great core,with which to build a new engine.

Well,the good news is that after an inspection,the engine is fairly fresh,.030 over,great crosshatch in the cylinders,after having the heads magged and inspected,they are fresh and crack free,bearings look like new.Turns out,the only problem was a blown head gasket.

The bad news is,my 350 is actually a 305.
I'm not a 305 hater,I've had a couple of good running ones,and I think they are a descent mix of power and economy.

My question is,on the advice of other members,I had decided on a Mellings MTC1 cam,and full length headers,along with an aftermarket chip.Is this still a descent plan with a 305?It is my daily driver,that does weekend duty of light towing/hauling.I know that the cam will make power a touch higher in the powerband,but it still looks like a great little torque grind.Right or wrong?Any help here is greatly appreciated.

Fast355

iTrader: (2)

I ran that cam in my old 305 combination after the XE-274 was pulled out and the engine converted to TBI. Granted it was originally a carbed engine and had the 601 HO heads on it. The cam gives a good torque boost around 2,200-3,500 in a 305. It makes a slight lope at idle in the 305 but really only noticeable from the exhaust. It does have a very slight but noticeable torque loss around 1,000-1,200 rpm though. You will only notice it if you drive around town a whole bunch with a light foot. A 4.3 S10 2,000 RPM stall torque converter will completely eliminate this feeling and get you rolling quicker from the added torque multiplication. When you mash the gas, the transmission will hold its current gear longer, and you will go. It will make a good driver and a very decent towing machine. You did not say what heads were on it, but I am assuming 187s which are 305 swirl ports. In that case a 310 CID, with that cam, stock compression ratio, 187s, stock TBI, stock intake, 1 5/8 headers with a good low-restriction exhaust. Take notice that this is assuming it is PROPERLY TUNED, not some generic chip. It is also only a guess made from a program that is getting accurate info though. This program has proven pretty accurate on every build I have done so far.

RPM-------HP-------TQ
2000-----107------280
2500-----141------295
3000-----175------306
3500-----202------303
4000-----217------285
4500-----223------260
5000-----211------221

Or basically better than 280 ft/lbs of torque from 2,000-4,000 rpm and about 225 hp at 4,500 rpm. That ties a TBI 350 for torque and gives a tpi or vortec 305 a run for its money on HP. I know some will not agree, but in my experience these numbers are about right.

Fast355

iTrader: (2)

OOPs. Double

Irockz

iTrader: (1)

Thanks so much,just what I was hoping.Just one last question,being that as of right now,I have absolutely no way to custom burn a chip,What one chip would you reccomend?I know that I'm asking for the "best band aid",but what should I use "for now"?What about a 350 performance chip?Sorry for such a dumbass question,just trying for best case scenario,until I have the time to go to Kansas City or St Louis for custom prom work.

Irockz

iTrader: (1)

Anyone?I know I need a custom chip,and I will get one,but when I pull this swap,I gotta get to work and back for a couple weeks.

Fast355

iTrader: (2)

Should do just fine. In my experience, it will get you to work and back. You might just have to deal with a slightly lumpy idle.