TBI Throttle Body Injection discussion and questions. L03/CFI tech and other performance enhancements.

Cheap Power

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Old Mar 30, 2011 | 04:45 PM
  #1  
Firebird Fly's Avatar
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From: Ionia Iowa
Car: 88 Formula Firebird, 86 Firebird
Engine: 305 TBI and crate 350
Cheap Power

Anybody got any cheap easy ways to improve the TBI on my 88 Formula 305?????
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Old Mar 30, 2011 | 05:09 PM
  #2  
Blue1990camaro's Avatar
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Re: Cheap Power

get rid of the TBI and go TPI or carb.
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Old Mar 30, 2011 | 06:02 PM
  #3  
camaronewbie's Avatar
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From: Cary, North Carolina
Car: 1992 RS
Engine: Carbed 350
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.42 posi
Re: Cheap Power

There's a ton of posts here on modding the 305 TBI motor, use

In the end, they are all very disappointing. Don't spend cash on anything that won't connect to a 350 - that leaves you with exhaust and rear gears - beyond that you're wasting your time money.
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Old Mar 30, 2011 | 06:27 PM
  #4  
Blue1990camaro's Avatar
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Re: Cheap Power

what i say is grab urself some nice long tube headers, high flow cats, nice exhaust system, and a gooooddd rear, and maybe a shift kit, i had n 85 305 TPI z28 with a 700r4 with a shift kit and leme tell ya, if u laid into it wen it shifted it would spin tires at second gear it hauled ***, and it was only a 305 i swear it had to b a 350 when i first drove it
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Old Mar 30, 2011 | 10:21 PM
  #5  
UnderCover89TBI's Avatar
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From: Manteca,California. Nor Cal.
Car: SOLD IT. Mopar guy only now.
Engine: gone
Transmission: gone
Axle/Gears: gone
Re: Cheap Power

this is a once a week post...do a search! read the sticky threads up top!
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Old Mar 31, 2011 | 09:49 AM
  #6  
paul_huryk's Avatar
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From: Ahead of you...
Car: 1984 LG4 Camaro
Engine: 350 Roller Motor
Transmission: Level 10 700R4
Axle/Gears: Strange 12 bolt 3.42
Re: Cheap Power

TBI has the same restrictions that kill power on the LG4 cars - too small an exhaust, single snorkel intake, retarded timing...
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Old Mar 31, 2011 | 12:22 PM
  #7  
camaronewbie's Avatar
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From: Cary, North Carolina
Car: 1992 RS
Engine: Carbed 350
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.42 posi
Re: Cheap Power

Originally Posted by paul_huryk
TBI has the same restrictions that kill power on the LG4 cars - too small an exhaust, single snorkel intake, retarded timing...
At least the LG4 cars have nice heads (416's) as opposed to the swirl-port boat anchors that the TBI got.
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Old Mar 31, 2011 | 02:34 PM
  #8  
the solitaire's Avatar
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From: 47798 Germany
Car: '89 RS camaro 305 TBI
Engine: LO3
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: yep, has those too (stock)
Re: Cheap Power

Well, you start off with a 305 cid engine that works.

Oh, and not a lot of power.

Some say that that´s bad because it´s the well known underpowered TBI engine.
I tend to disagree.

The rotating assembly does not determine the eventual power output. I agree when people say that the rotating assembly is limiting because it will not hold up above X HP.

A rotating assembly and block with more displacement will potentially allow for a higher power output, but not everyone wants a 9 second car.

If your goal is to go somewhere between 250 and 300 HP you might as well stick with the rotating assembly you already have.

A set of heads (look for some used heads that require little porting and machining),
full exhaust (that can later go to a bigger engine if you decide to go that route after all),
cam (a good time to fit nice new valve springs etc. and if you pick your cam well you could take it along),
intake (could also be transferred but likely if you plan to swap later on i is very well possible you choose a different fuel injection type)
a programmable ECM like EBL or similar (that can also be used on a different engine)

So the only parts you will really loose and investments you would not see returned if you ever swap to a bigger engine, are the heads and the machining and work you put in the engine. The rest depends on how you plan your build, and which parts you determine to buy.

If you do however build a 305 and are happy with the 250-300 HP you have, good for you. I know it will suffise for me once I´m done because I do not intend to race the car.

Further additions that will transfer to a different engine:
rear end (3.42 posi?)
shift kit, stall, corvette governor etc. (a transmission only holds that much abuse, untill a rebuild is required and that again is an opertunity to improve parts you can re-use later on, regarding on what you do with the car)

Nope, I do not find that upgrading a 305 is a total waste.

Last edited by the solitaire; Mar 31, 2011 at 02:46 PM.
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Old Mar 31, 2011 | 04:24 PM
  #9  
thomas1976's Avatar
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,199
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From: West-Central
Car: 91 Trans am
Engine: built 360 TBI
Transmission: built 700r4
Axle/Gears: 10bolt/3.23
Re: Cheap Power

Originally Posted by Blue1990camaro
get rid of the TBI and go TPI or carb.
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Old Apr 1, 2011 | 07:48 AM
  #10  
paul_huryk's Avatar
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Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 2,756
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From: Ahead of you...
Car: 1984 LG4 Camaro
Engine: 350 Roller Motor
Transmission: Level 10 700R4
Axle/Gears: Strange 12 bolt 3.42
Re: Cheap Power

Originally Posted by camaronewbie
At least the LG4 cars have nice heads (416's) as opposed to the swirl-port boat anchors that the TBI got.
LG4 heads suck too... Regardless of what you have heard.
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Old Apr 2, 2011 | 01:40 PM
  #11  
d00012's Avatar
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 559
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From: Everett, Washington
Car: 2006 GTO
Engine: LS2
Transmission: M6
Axle/Gears: 3.46 LSD
Re: Cheap Power

With a 305...cheap power won't be had. Unless you score at a swap meet or craigslist.

Cheapest is a 350 TBI swap.

The stickies have pretty much all the information you need.
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