My planned mod list:

Headers, high-flow cat, catback exhaust, open element, TBI mods, LT1 cam, lightwieght TBI intake manifold, MSD Ignition, LT1 cam, 3.-- rear end gears, and burned chip. Also thinking of putting in a low temp thermostat and advancing the timing.

What do you all think? Waist of money? 200rwhp? Will my car actually have ***** then? My budget is $2,500, and the catback is already on. Is this possible? Am I missing anything? Recommendations? Will I need a better fuel pump for this?

 

Not to rain on your parade but I would pick up a used 350 with low miles and do the swap then mod that later.

 

I'm going to mod this motor, then swap an LSX in later. I just want to go cheap right now. And swapping the motor I want is A LOT more than $2,500.

AND, I already have put $1,100 into making this car a reliable runner... why would I just throw the motor out and waste all of that cash?

So any suggestions? Idea's?

 

I just meant that you will spend more money modding the 305 then you will picking up a used stock 350. You can buy one for 400 and drop it in and have twice as much power then you will get doing all that work to the 305. My 92 has a 305 and Its getting up there 165,xxx so thats what I am doing.

 

Like an L98 350 for $400?

 

Sorry and to answer the question... I would go with 3:73 gears that will make a huge difference in acceleration, headers and intake. I wouldn't do anything to the pcm until you are done modding and have the motor you are going to keep. I would def. adavance the timing 0 degrees is a joke.. I have set both my cars at 8 degrees with no problems and better acceleration.

 

At the salvage yards near me (PA) I can get an L98 block complete pulleys and all for $600. Now you wont need a complete motor so you can pick one up around 400.

 

Awesome, thank you so much. I really want to keep the 305 for now, these motors run up to 300,000 if they are well maintained, and this car is daily driven (500 miles a week!), so I really don't want to mess around with putting a new motor that I don't know the history of in it. And my motors still young! 125K. I've heard advancing the timing works wonders on these cars. I will advance mine to 8 degrees as well. I don't plan on putting the chip in until the headers and intake are done. I don't think I'm going to do the LT1 cam anytime soon. That's expensive. I just want around 200rwhp.

 

I am still confused as to why people 20 years ago thought that 170hp was enough for a sports car!!! Lol

 

Wierd my L03 ping'd at just 2* advanced, even with premium fuel. Do you have spark knock issues?

 

u gotta figure out what u wanna do, if your going to get a 350 get parts that you can put on your 305 now and later use on our 350(headers, etc) gears are a real good investment. get a used low mile 4th gen rear .

the manifold would be a waste of time and money at this point.

 

Here you go.
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/tbi/...-synopsis.html
You can make you 305 plenty fast for a daily driver. It all depends on how far you want to go.