So I stubbled upon this cam kit for a 305, I want my car to sound mean, I know everyone bashes on the 305 for being "slow" compared to the 350 so I rather just make it sound nice. what do you guys think of this kit for a basic stock 305? what problems could I run into? other suggestions for rough idle 305 would be appreciated.

COMP Cams K12-600-4
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/CCA-K12-600-4/

 

Not all of them are...

Don't pick a cam for the 305 based on a 350, it has different needs...

 

well I have been looking for a cam that can both help my performance and sound, but so many cams confuse me. lol

 

Sound can always be tuned in and out, it's the performance that you will always want in the end. What are your goals with the 305...?

 

well my car is a daily driver, but I do stubble upon cars that want to have a go on the street. I heard a lot of people saying the 305 isnt worth spending money for performance so I was leaning more towards sound. I just want an overall "quick" car with a mean sounding idle. So far only upgrades I have invested in are shorty headers and flowmaster exhaust. So on the cam when I saw the kit it was for an okay price for my budget.

 

We select cams based on a variety of different things. The displacement of the 305 is never the problem, nor is its' limitation in terms of intake valve size, as 1.94" is huge if you want to go that route, and anything above 2.00" in my opinion is really defeating the purpose, especially in the realm of a boosted 305 (if you ever explore that route). Your upgrades are good, but that cam will only hurt you if you are running the stock heads and intake, especially without an adjustable fuel regulator. Before even looking at cams, invest in a better intake manifold, as well as a better throttle body w/adjustable fuel pressure regulator, not to mention get your feet wet with tuning (EBL, in particular), as you want to optimize your selection of parts and make them run right. The stock heads can be worked for very cheap, or you can always go with an aftermarket set as there are very cost friendly deals out there. Once you have those items decided on, then... and only then, should you start considering which cam you want to go with. Remember, it is better to select the cam based on your engine build, not build an engine based on a cam.

 

Since the LO3 is a roller block equipped with a hydraulic roller cam, a good start, would be looking for a hydraulic roller cam.

 

I always hear "working or porting" the heads, what do you mean by this?

 

Opening the holes so they flow better

 

It really wont add much to the sound of your car but most definitely will add to the "quick" factor. A Corvette servo for the transmission and change your rear end gear ratio to ether 3.42 or 3.73 with a Posi. unit.Your 2.73 highway gears are killing your performance and you cant get a decent launch with out the Posi. One wheel peals are week and I would not even do one it was to embarrassing. IMO,that should be on top of the list .

 

looks like you need to know more about TBI performance in general. Go with some 3:23 or 3:42 rear end gears if your running the TBI. Go for a posi traction rear end as well. The right rear gears are essential for stop light street racing.

Here are some public posts (you’ll have to cut through the opinionated and engine swap crap), but there is some good stuff in here. #1 rule, don’t get anything you can’t swap over to a 350 or 383 or sell later on. #2, Go cheap on the 305. Don’t put a $50 dollar saddle on a $20 horse is the common saying.
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/tbi/626560-evaluate-305-tbi-build.html
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/tbi/622480-just-want-200hp.html
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/power-adder/622784-looking-get-high-power.html
And TGO Official posts. Ultimate TBI parts one and two, plus how to make a dual snorkel air cleaner.
https://www.thirdgen.org/ultimatetbi
https://www.thirdgen.org/ultimatetbi2
https://www.thirdgen.org/dualsnorkel

And these are my suggestions:

1. Open Air Element (Cleaner) or alternative cold air intake
2. New headers back exhaust system
3. TBI Computer Chip or tune
4. 180* Thermostat swap
5. Sticky performance tires (Nitto NT555 or similar tire would be best)
6. Edelbrock performer rpm intake manifold
7. 3.42 gears and a posi rear end
8. Corvette Shift Kit (if you have an auto)
9. Ultimate TBI mods
10. Wider Aftermarket Rims (like 17X10rear and 17X8front are best)

And if you want to go big:
1. Heads (port out the old swirl ports or maybe get some vortech heads)
2. Camshaft (A ZZ4 cam is optimal)
Hope this helps!
-SKELITOR

 

P.S. Check out Ron_90's build thread if you want to know how one of these 305 builds would look like, and how much it would cost if you do it right.

 

thanks for all the input guys, learning some good stuff here..

 

can yall point me in the right direction of a good gear setup?

 

There's a little something called a "Ultimate 10 bolt" build. If you are going to run just street tires with your automatic transmission than you should be able to get away with it. If you plan on racing it at the 1/4mile track with sticky tires and hard launches you would be better off with a 9in. or a 12 bolt. They will cost you a little more than the 10 bolt up-grade but well worth it.Here's a link talking about the subject = How Can I Strengthen My 10-Bolt?http://www.z28boy.cz28.com/mods-rearend.htm
Any way I chose to upgrade the 10 bolt . Here's a link showing the build and what it cost me.. =
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/tran...de-photos.html

 

I don't think anyone "bashes" the 305

let's step back and see what you have

you have a smog era engine with a small bore. That is part of what hurts you, not the displacement. FoMoco used a 4 inch bore on their 302 so maybe that tells you something. Your L03 is 3.75 inch bore.

next, you bought a smog era vehicle with a small bore, poor head/intake/camshaft/ and computer which isn't simple to program.

None of that is a surprise but many want to simply ignore all of that because it's a Camaro. Again, it's from the smog era before modern electronics and variable cams were the norm.

When you get what you feel are comments that the L03 is a waste for anything more than bolt ons you are getting that based not on emotion, but from people who have tried for the more than 20 years that the engine has been around.

No question you are going to ask has not been asked over the past 20 years. You are not exploring uncharted territory.

So, it comes down to denial or acceptance.

If you want to toss a bunch of money into an old engine without a rebuild then that in itself is crazy. if you want to rebuild it to be sure it can handle the upgrades, then a rebuild for a SBC costs the same be it a 305 or 350. So, why not drop just a little bit more and get a block and enjoy the choices that are available to you with a 4 inch bore and what 45 cid more gets you. In fact, you don't need to get as radical with duration/lift when you have 45 cid more so the vehicle is more street friendly.

You get to the point of cost/benefit. The 305's are perfectly fine engines as long as they are used in the correct application. many will say "I only want to get to 275 FWHP" etc etc. Really? If coupled to an auto tranny you are talking about 230- 235 RWHP and do you really want to drop that much money and time to get close to what modern V6's make?

gears, headers, and an open element air cleaner and all of that can be re-used when/if you go to a 350 block.

Yes, it does stink to want to be able to trash talk and bench race just to find that your "Camaro" doesn't perform anything like vehicles from the late 90's and on. But, you knew that when you purchased a smog era vehicle.

But, it's a good looking vehicle and when freshened and painted, still turns heads regardless of what's under the hood. A new paint job can be re-used no matter what engine is under the hood as can new seats, new headliner, new rug etc.

I remember trying to squeeze more power from my small block mopar when I was a kid and my dad (may he rest in peace) would always say that I was tossing good money to bad because of tire hop and frame twist. I finally listened to him and fixed those and boy what a difference at the track!!!

You will be doing exactly that chasing the 305. The answer is in front of you and has been experienced many times over the past 20+ years

 

i just recently started fixing my 84 camaro z28 305 t-tops i had a crack in my exhaust and my manifold was pretty crap so i got custom made headers and a complete exhaust system... Now i wanna change the CAM but i have no idea what to put in. on the car ive only changed the headers + whole exhaust system so what would you guys recommend im down to get a CAM kit with everything included... Willing to spend around 1000 -1500 looking to get a better sounding engine which the exhaust + headers did but i also want better performance. if no one replies its all good i know this thread is old but i just dont trust calling a cam kit seller and just have them agree to everything i say just to make a sale. hope someone replies. Thanks in advance. btw car is a daily drive sorta i drive it to work and back.