I was planning to swap to TPI but after doing some searching and a lot of reading on this forum I'm starting to rethink the idea. Here's my situation: I'm currently working with a 305 and would like to stay with it until the engine expires. I was looking at a Vortec head that is a new offering from RHS that is intended for 305s without all the milling, just bolt on and go. I thought these with the GMPP TBI intake and a good TPI cam either a 203/207 or a 206/212 with 1.52 or 1.6 rockers would be good for starters. I believe this combo would run well with just an aftermarket chip and probably with the one I have now with no issues. I do intend to have a good tune put on it somewhere down the line but I think this would do for a starting point.
Down the road things would be improved upon with a good dyno session and some tuning along with upgrades where necessary but for a modest starting point what do you folks think?

 

I wouldn't even dream of a heads and cam swap without being able to tune it myself. I don't have time to dig up the thread, but some one on here had a vortec headed 350 with a stock cam and was able to go from a 14.1 to a 13.6 with a quickie tune. There is just no way to extensivly mod a speed density FI system (what TBI is) without properly retuning.

The mail order junk you have is nothing more than some advanced timing and more fuel at WOT only.

 

I agree with the need for better tuning but my main idea here was a good starting point that will run properly from the get go and not be a pain to just get to start and idle.

 

Basically, anything more than full exhaust, intake and maybe 1.6 roller rockers will start causing drivability problems. It looks like your already pretty much there. I would get the tuning equipment now and start learning, you probably have 20 HP locked up in your combo as it sits. Onece you feel comfortable you go take the leap into a heads and cam swap.

 

yea i dove into the entire top end and it needs tuning but it runs and starts and it runs safely as long as i keep her below 4k, starts to get a bit lean, now its just finding the time to get it tuned

 

So what would I need to get started?

 

Get the EBL from Rbob, DynamicEFI

That and a programmer from Moates, which is $85, and some chips, $5 each and reusable, will get you started.

 

What is this RHS you speak of? I would like to check these heads out. All I can find is links to the "Royal Horticultural Society", "Rural Housing Service", and "Redwood Health Services". I assume you aren't ordering heads from any of them.

 

Just so you know, you don't "have" to have the EBL to get started tuning. The EBL is upgrade module for our stock ECM's that basically fixes every known issue with TBI ecm's and few that aren't known. Check out the stickies at the top of the page for some links. Also my "come in for a free tune" sticky has helped a few people get started tuning.

 

BM,

Would it be bad for me to start of using the EBL? Just wondering. I have no idea about any of this chip burning voodoo. I am just looking for something simple. I am in the desert right now so I have saved an *** ton of money and am planning on getting into chip burning when I get back.

Thanks

Bill

 

The EBL has the ability to "VE Learn" which for me is an invaluable tool for a newbie. That's why I said to start with that.

I took my own advice, even. My own EBL should be here today.

 

Nice. I just read about it on the website and it says that you program for boost also. I have been thinking of switching to another type of injection and ecm because I wanted to go with a single turbo or something, but I thnk that I will probably purchase the EBL and other stuff that I need and just get really good at tuning first. Then try to make the turbo upgrade.

Bill

 

RHS is Racing Head Service. I checked their website out and the head in question doesn't appear to be for a 305 after all with 67 and 72cc chambers. The valves are the right size though. Thanks for all the info guys. I've got a lot of reading to do on this before I even think about which one to buy. Any tips or hints for someone who considers themself good just to find the "fire" control on a video game?

 

Not to highjack, but about the ebl. Who here is running one? Im wanting to start buying tuning equipment, but if I dont have to mod my computer, and this is easier, and obviously has more features, Ill go this route. All I have is a PDA though, my laptop is too slow (it was free, but has a 166 processor).

 

I just installed mine tonight, I will let you know on Tuesday when I fire my new engine.