how to really wake up a 305 without spending alot of$$$
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From: Taylor, MI
Car: 1994 Camaro Z28 B4C T-tops,
Engine: LT1 350 5.7L 116K
Transmission: 4L60E (being rebuilt)
Axle/Gears: 3.23 Posi
how to really wake up a 305 without spending alot of$$$
Hi, i have a 305 sitting in my garage on an engine stand, its a 305 TBI it's the old motor out of my 91 T/A Convertible
i want to wake this motor up alittle then put it into another T/A or camaro in the near future,
what does everyone suggest?
my price range would be around free, to 1000$
ive heard about installing an LT1 cam?
can you install a LS1 cam in these motors?
i just want some decent HP and TQ without spending alot,
do they have aftermarket TBI intakes? id like to keep this a TBI motor and not carb'd
Thanks, Bob
i want to wake this motor up alittle then put it into another T/A or camaro in the near future,
what does everyone suggest?
my price range would be around free, to 1000$
ive heard about installing an LT1 cam?
can you install a LS1 cam in these motors?
i just want some decent HP and TQ without spending alot,
do they have aftermarket TBI intakes? id like to keep this a TBI motor and not carb'd
Thanks, Bob
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From: Birmingham Alabama
Car: 1991 Firebird convertible
Engine: LQ4 ls 6.0
Transmission: 4L60E
Axle/Gears: 342 Limited slip
Re: how to really wake up a 305 without spending alot of$$$
back when my car was 2 years old I had a Flowmaster cat back system ,headers and a super chip installed and it made a big differance well worth the $800 bucks I spent
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From: Somerset, New Jersey
Car: 95 Z85 S10, 99 Formula
Engine: 4.3 CPI , LS1
Transmission: NV3500, T56
Axle/Gears: 3.08, 3.42
Re: how to really wake up a 305 without spending alot of$$$
exhaust
port and polish the heads
Nitrous
** a stall as well
port and polish the heads
Nitrous
** a stall as well
Last edited by Convoy25; Jan 18, 2011 at 09:03 AM.
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 15
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From: Phoenix,AZ
Car: 1988 Camaro RS
Engine: 5.0 TBI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 4TH. GEN. REAR
Re: how to really wake up a 305 without spending alot of$$$
Edelbrock makes a performer tbi intake manifold. I have this along with a 1"tbi spacer.. and my 305 has great thottle response.
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From: jackson new jersey
Car: 1991 camaro vert
Engine: ls1 soon
Transmission: t56 soon
Axle/Gears: moser 12bolt 4.10 soon!
Re: how to really wake up a 305 without spending alot of$$$
Agreed with the above posts.. also a nice set of 3.73 gears in the rearend will put a nice smile on ur face
Joined: Dec 2000
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From: NC
Car: 1987 Iroc
Engine: 357 Single plane and a Ysi vortech
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 3.50 9"
Re: how to really wake up a 305 without spending alot of$$$
LT headers, cam, and nitrous along with a stall and gears will put you in the low 13's or high 12's depending on your car...
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From: Manteca,California. Nor Cal.
Car: SOLD IT. Mopar guy only now.
Engine: gone
Transmission: gone
Axle/Gears: gone
Re: how to really wake up a 305 without spending alot of$$$
performance exhaust. headers. performance chip. adjust the timing. change the air induction (meaning air cleaner to open element or some sort of cold air induction) I guess your almost at 1000 after these.
Then later when you want to put more $ into it. Upgrade the heads, throw a different cam at it, and change the intake at the same time. Also a bored and ported throttle body. Upgrade fuel pump.
Then you'll want to get into custom tuning.
In between there throw in a vigilante torque converter, change your rear end gears to 3.23, 3.42, 3.73.
If your still nto happy, supercharger or nitrous.
Then later when you want to put more $ into it. Upgrade the heads, throw a different cam at it, and change the intake at the same time. Also a bored and ported throttle body. Upgrade fuel pump.
Then you'll want to get into custom tuning.
In between there throw in a vigilante torque converter, change your rear end gears to 3.23, 3.42, 3.73.
If your still nto happy, supercharger or nitrous.
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Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 21
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From: Salinas, Ca
Car: 89 Camaro RS, Black exterior,
Engine: Stock 305 TBI, K&N air filter
Transmission: stock 700r4
Axle/Gears: 2.73
Re: how to really wake up a 305 without spending alot of$$$
performance exhaust. headers. performance chip. adjust the timing. change the air induction (meaning air cleaner to open element or some sort of cold air induction) I guess your almost at 1000 after these.
Then later when you want to put more $ into it. Upgrade the heads, throw a different cam at it, and change the intake at the same time. Also a bored and ported throttle body. Upgrade fuel pump.
Then you'll want to get into custom tuning.
In between there throw in a vigilante torque converter, change your rear end gears to 3.23, 3.42, 3.73.
If your still nto happy, supercharger or nitrous.
Then later when you want to put more $ into it. Upgrade the heads, throw a different cam at it, and change the intake at the same time. Also a bored and ported throttle body. Upgrade fuel pump.
Then you'll want to get into custom tuning.
In between there throw in a vigilante torque converter, change your rear end gears to 3.23, 3.42, 3.73.
If your still nto happy, supercharger or nitrous.
What does changing your timing actually do? I haven't had the chance to ask my brother.
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From: West-Central
Car: 91 Trans am
Engine: built 360 TBI
Transmission: built 700r4
Axle/Gears: 10bolt/3.23
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Re: how to really wake up a 305 without spending alot of$$$
Our stock timing is 0 degrees. Basically straight up. By advancing the timing to 6 degrees you get some more take off power and bottom end oomph.
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From: Northern, CA
Car: 1989 Iroc-Z Camaro
Engine: TBI,5.0
Transmission: Automatic 700R4
Axle/Gears: Eaton Posi,3.42,LPW Ultimate Cover
Re: how to really wake up a 305 without spending alot of$$$
I agree totally with the timing advance. Mine is at 6*and it made allot of difference. Much more responsive with a better pull and its free. If it knocks(spark knock) at 6*move it to 4* also you can you can use a mid. grade gasoline."89 Octane" (that's what I do)
Last edited by Ron U.S.M.C.; May 9, 2011 at 12:43 AM. Reason: add info.
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,001
Likes: 62
From: Salt Lake City, Utah
Car: 1988 camaro "SS"/ 1991 305/T5
Engine: 383 LT1 in progress/LT1TBI 355 soon
Transmission: Probuilt 700R4 3600 stall/ T5
Axle/Gears: Moser axles, 3.42 Eaton Posi
Re: how to really wake up a 305 without spending alot of$$$
Honestly with a grand you're not going to get very far. I have about that much in my rear diff by itself. My car now without the giggle juice is in the mid 13 second catagory but I'm in DESPERATE need of a stall. I have a $580 dollar 3200 EGDE stall going in once my $600 dollar Probuilt road race kit goes in in the trans. If you start on one end of the car I promise you when you get done there you'll have to build up another part to make use of what you've just done. it's a never ending cycle man. Here's a break down of what I've spent SO FAR. Granted these prices are through the years and have changed a bit, plus I'm not even going to add the amount I've spent in R&D alone.
I'll start from the rear and work my way up.......
Rear:
$180 V6 3:42 rear from the junkyard
$200 3:42 Richmond gears ( been sitting on my shelf for years, still brand new)
$275 26 spline moser axles
$475 Eaton posi unit
$125 summit diff cover
$100 for fluids,gaskets and seals
$40 dollars for solid pinion spacer
Rough total $1395
Drivetrain/Transmission
$25 Aluminum driveshaft (I got lucky from the local pick and pull)
$60 B&M Shift Kit
$126 Transgo kit (still sitting on my shelf for the last 5 years)
.15 cent 3-4 downshift eliminator
$580 3200 EDGE stall
$600 Probuilt Road race rebuild kit
$400 it's going to cost me to have it built
$12 Sonnax TV Cable kit
Rough total $1815
Suspension/Chassis/Brakes/Tires:
$225 Eibach springs (don't have anymore)
$185 Alston SFC's form TDS (Lon is the man!!!)
$479 Ground Control Weight Jack kit (worth EVERY f$#@ing penny)
$315 Full MOOG front end rebuild kit.
$120 Sensa-trac shocksand struts from NAPA ( Jesus these things suck)
$100 Aluminum drums for the rear for weight savings.
$300 For Nitto NT555r Radials ( again worth every penny)
$1000 17x8 front and 17x9.5 rear ROH Snypers (to me the PREMIER wheel for a Thirdgen)
$50 S10 manual steering box
$400 in Energy Suspension bushings and BMR adjustable Panhard bar, LCA's and LCARB's
$375 UMI adjustable torque arm
Rough total $3549
Engine:
$160 for Comp roller tip rockers both 1.6 and 1.5
$180 Proform electric water pump
$350 Edelbrock TBI intake ( also included was the cost for boring 50mm)
$100 ZZ4 cam off Ebay
$675 for ported ZZ4 heads with all new hardware
$60 GM single row timing set
$775 in exhaust total. ported,welded and coated Hooker 2055's with Aerochamber 3 inch Catback.
$600 March Mid mount pulley set up. (ended up only using HALF of the damn kit, spent way to much damn money on this)
$180 Xtremefi 46mm TBI unit ( that I don't even use)
$200 in fluids, gaskets and seals
Rough total $3280
Tuning:
$475 EBL Flash
$380 Zeitronix WB with Controller
$100 TBI Chips "stage 1" chip. I needed it before I got the EBL, worked "ok" but not the best.
So as you can see a grand just doesn't cut it,lol. Trust me, now that I'm building a Forged 383 Single plane EFI LT1 expect the budget to go up a hell of alot more,lol.
I'll start from the rear and work my way up.......
Rear:
$180 V6 3:42 rear from the junkyard
$200 3:42 Richmond gears ( been sitting on my shelf for years, still brand new)
$275 26 spline moser axles
$475 Eaton posi unit
$125 summit diff cover
$100 for fluids,gaskets and seals
$40 dollars for solid pinion spacer
Rough total $1395
Drivetrain/Transmission
$25 Aluminum driveshaft (I got lucky from the local pick and pull)
$60 B&M Shift Kit
$126 Transgo kit (still sitting on my shelf for the last 5 years)
.15 cent 3-4 downshift eliminator
$580 3200 EDGE stall
$600 Probuilt Road race rebuild kit
$400 it's going to cost me to have it built
$12 Sonnax TV Cable kit
Rough total $1815
Suspension/Chassis/Brakes/Tires:
$225 Eibach springs (don't have anymore)
$185 Alston SFC's form TDS (Lon is the man!!!)
$479 Ground Control Weight Jack kit (worth EVERY f$#@ing penny)
$315 Full MOOG front end rebuild kit.
$120 Sensa-trac shocksand struts from NAPA ( Jesus these things suck)
$100 Aluminum drums for the rear for weight savings.
$300 For Nitto NT555r Radials ( again worth every penny)
$1000 17x8 front and 17x9.5 rear ROH Snypers (to me the PREMIER wheel for a Thirdgen)
$50 S10 manual steering box
$400 in Energy Suspension bushings and BMR adjustable Panhard bar, LCA's and LCARB's
$375 UMI adjustable torque arm
Rough total $3549
Engine:
$160 for Comp roller tip rockers both 1.6 and 1.5
$180 Proform electric water pump
$350 Edelbrock TBI intake ( also included was the cost for boring 50mm)
$100 ZZ4 cam off Ebay
$675 for ported ZZ4 heads with all new hardware
$60 GM single row timing set
$775 in exhaust total. ported,welded and coated Hooker 2055's with Aerochamber 3 inch Catback.
$600 March Mid mount pulley set up. (ended up only using HALF of the damn kit, spent way to much damn money on this)
$180 Xtremefi 46mm TBI unit ( that I don't even use)
$200 in fluids, gaskets and seals
Rough total $3280
Tuning:
$475 EBL Flash
$380 Zeitronix WB with Controller
$100 TBI Chips "stage 1" chip. I needed it before I got the EBL, worked "ok" but not the best.
So as you can see a grand just doesn't cut it,lol. Trust me, now that I'm building a Forged 383 Single plane EFI LT1 expect the budget to go up a hell of alot more,lol.
Last edited by robertfrank; Jan 20, 2011 at 01:52 AM.
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From: Manteca,California. Nor Cal.
Car: SOLD IT. Mopar guy only now.
Engine: gone
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Re: how to really wake up a 305 without spending alot of$$$
Yup they get damn expensive. I always keep eyes open for deals now that I will eventually use later
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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,271
Likes: 1
From: stallings,n.c.
Car: 1989 camaro rs convertable
Engine: 305 tbi
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 7.5"3.42 gears forth gen 2000 camar
Re: how to really wake up a 305 without spending alot of$$$
some v6 third gen camaros come stock with 3.42 rears and they bolt right in to the v8 cars.
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 195
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From: TACOMA WA
Car: 1992 rs 355 TBI **swapped**
Engine: 80 Ford Fiesta GHIA dual carb
Transmission: 72 Cutlass S 350/350 3.42
Axle/Gears: s10 tq converter/stock rear gear
Re: how to really wake up a 305 without spending alot of$$$
+1 for 342 rear, but do you know how to weld? What are the emissions laws where you are?
Nothing crutches crappy heads and low displacement better than a turbo!! If you dont need to run much in the way of emissions equipment theres plenty of room to plumb one in... Dunno bout this car, but on old v8's ive seen decent turbo kits come together for 600$. Theres junkyard and chinese low cost IC options, and really its more about how involved u wana get and how much boost u realistically wanna run than can u do it. (if you can cut measure and weld)
Id run 5 or 6 psi and be happy
Cant see a diy turbo for a thirdgen costing much more than a grand, and you'd get big block levels of torque. Wouldnt even need the rear end, lazy gears help turbos spool
Do a search, ppl have done lots of turbo 305s. laggy single turbos and torquey V8's are made for each other.
Nothing crutches crappy heads and low displacement better than a turbo!! If you dont need to run much in the way of emissions equipment theres plenty of room to plumb one in... Dunno bout this car, but on old v8's ive seen decent turbo kits come together for 600$. Theres junkyard and chinese low cost IC options, and really its more about how involved u wana get and how much boost u realistically wanna run than can u do it. (if you can cut measure and weld)
Id run 5 or 6 psi and be happy
Cant see a diy turbo for a thirdgen costing much more than a grand, and you'd get big block levels of torque. Wouldnt even need the rear end, lazy gears help turbos spool
Do a search, ppl have done lots of turbo 305s. laggy single turbos and torquey V8's are made for each other.
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Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 9,192
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From: Cary, North Carolina
Car: 1992 RS
Engine: Carbed 350
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.42 posi
Re: how to really wake up a 305 without spending alot of$$$
"Waking up" a 305 is kinda like "military intelligence" - neither makes any sense.
Sell the 305, get a good 350, and play with it. Doesn't cost anymore to play with a 350 vs. a 305, and although you have the 305 already and it's free, you've got what you paid for - nothing.
At least don't spend any money on anything for the 305 that cannot be transferred to a 350, as that certainly is a waste.
Sell the 305, get a good 350, and play with it. Doesn't cost anymore to play with a 350 vs. a 305, and although you have the 305 already and it's free, you've got what you paid for - nothing.
At least don't spend any money on anything for the 305 that cannot be transferred to a 350, as that certainly is a waste.
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From: Taylor, MI
Car: 1994 Camaro Z28 B4C T-tops,
Engine: LT1 350 5.7L 116K
Transmission: 4L60E (being rebuilt)
Axle/Gears: 3.23 Posi
Re: how to really wake up a 305 without spending alot of$$$
ive got a 350 in the car already, im trying to build up a 305 for another car im planning on getting, all great ideas, thanks for everything, and i dont know how to weld at all, but a turbo does sound nice. if anyone has any freebies or anything else let me know.....i cant really find any cheap parts out here, iplus being 17 doesnt help the wallet any,
i need anything performance wise i can get my hands on,
i was thinking of the timing thing myself, id like to do that but dont wana **** up anything... its a really nice motor and along with my car,......
dont get me wrong i know my **** when it comes to third gens, but if i **** something up and dont know how to fix it i normally dont getanyone to help me correct it for about a month so i try and learn as much as possible before i dive in, that way theres less of a chance that i screw up,.....
oh and for emissions, im in michigan, they care more about scratching their ***** then do emissions out here lol, so there arent any hahah
i need anything performance wise i can get my hands on,
i was thinking of the timing thing myself, id like to do that but dont wana **** up anything... its a really nice motor and along with my car,......
dont get me wrong i know my **** when it comes to third gens, but if i **** something up and dont know how to fix it i normally dont getanyone to help me correct it for about a month so i try and learn as much as possible before i dive in, that way theres less of a chance that i screw up,.....
oh and for emissions, im in michigan, they care more about scratching their ***** then do emissions out here lol, so there arent any hahah
Last edited by bobbyk3lly; Jan 25, 2011 at 12:31 AM. Reason: for got to answer question about emissions.
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 578
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From: Colorado Springs
Car: 91 firebird Formula 350
Engine: 350 TPI
Transmission: N/A, working on a t5 swap
Axle/Gears: 3.73 posi
Re: how to really wake up a 305 without spending alot of$$$
But staying on topic, I do like this whole thread. I bought a 305 to put in my 91 firebird (not for the top performance, I know very well that the 350 is much better, but I'm trying to help myself a little bit on gas use with the outrageous prices these days) and it is nice to have a little list of what kind of upgrades I can do to make it a little more fun to drive.
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,001
Likes: 62
From: Salt Lake City, Utah
Car: 1988 camaro "SS"/ 1991 305/T5
Engine: 383 LT1 in progress/LT1TBI 355 soon
Transmission: Probuilt 700R4 3600 stall/ T5
Axle/Gears: Moser axles, 3.42 Eaton Posi
Re: how to really wake up a 305 without spending alot of$$$
Nope old school Metalhead is present and accounted for!! lol Rust in Piece was AWESOME!!! ok now back to topic,lol
Supreme Member
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From: Michigan
Car: 86 IROC Z, 92 RS
Engine: 305 4bbl, 305 TBI
Re: how to really wake up a 305 without spending alot of$$$
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From: Manteca,California. Nor Cal.
Car: SOLD IT. Mopar guy only now.
Engine: gone
Transmission: gone
Axle/Gears: gone
Re: how to really wake up a 305 without spending alot of$$$
Only if it senses a knock and even that is limited. Trust me you want 6 degrees on the l03
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From: Michigan
Car: 86 IROC Z, 92 RS
Engine: 305 4bbl, 305 TBI
Re: how to really wake up a 305 without spending alot of$$$
So if I were to run mid grade or premium with 6 degrees advance, I could see a notisable improvement?
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From: Manteca,California. Nor Cal.
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Engine: gone
Transmission: gone
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Re: how to really wake up a 305 without spending alot of$$$
It takes 10 mins to change your timing go out there and do it and tell me if you dont feel a difference. Run regular for all I care fuel wise! That's what I do. For the 11 years ive owned the car and the 6 years or so that ive been running advanced timing
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From: Michigan
Car: 86 IROC Z, 92 RS
Engine: 305 4bbl, 305 TBI
Re: how to really wake up a 305 without spending alot of$$$
I honestly haven't messed around with a timing gun since the late 70's. I loosen the distributor, and move it clockwise to advance?
I thought it stands to reason that advanced timing could cause detonation, and higher octane would be necessary.
I thought it stands to reason that advanced timing could cause detonation, and higher octane would be necessary.
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From: Manteca,California. Nor Cal.
Car: SOLD IT. Mopar guy only now.
Engine: gone
Transmission: gone
Axle/Gears: gone
Re: how to really wake up a 305 without spending alot of$$$
You have to disconnect the EST connector for the timing first which on MY car is located on the passenger side of engine compartment near blower motor. Its a 1 wire connector. That turns on the check engine light. Then you time as neccesary.
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Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 4,482
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From: Northern, CA
Car: 1989 Iroc-Z Camaro
Engine: TBI,5.0
Transmission: Automatic 700R4
Axle/Gears: Eaton Posi,3.42,LPW Ultimate Cover
Re: how to really wake up a 305 without spending alot of$$$
I found this on a old thread concerning timing. Here's how they said to set it and a photo of the EST connection.=
Disconnect the EST wire, start car, adjust timing, shut off car , reconnect EST wire.
and heres the photo.
Disconnect the EST wire, start car, adjust timing, shut off car , reconnect EST wire.
and heres the photo.
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From: Manteca,California. Nor Cal.
Car: SOLD IT. Mopar guy only now.
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Re: how to really wake up a 305 without spending alot of$$$
good work Ronus. That is it.
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