Ok guys, my latest Idea that may start coming together sooner than I thought. Supa-budget engine build:

-I can get a running 89 305 roller engine, complete, for $50
-Tear down and rebuild the shortblock (cost varies)
-Used Lt1 cam ~$50~
-305 TPI heads ~$100 without shipping, 3rd gen resource says HEADS so I'm taking it as $100 for the pair not each~
-Edelbrock performer TBI intake ~$200 or so~

I know theres lots of hidden costs and everyting, but I have absolutely no time frame here. I'll get parts when I get parts, It gets done when it gets done. By the time its done, the car will already have headers. And replacing the existing motor with one thats basically the same thing shouldn't be too rough. Its got to be stable enough for daily use in my only car, I think it would be. I also want to avoid doing much ECM tuning, and I don't think that this setup is radical enough that it would require much more than a fuel pressure bump. I know its within the HP range of the stock TBI unit and injectors.

Cost: Think I can pull this for under a grand?

HP estimates: I'm thinking/hoping around 220-230 HP, I'd like more but I'm trying to be realisitc. Anybody got any comments/suggestions? I'd really like some input.
The other cool thing is, I can say "the only aftermarket thing the engine has is an intake" since, well, the cam and heads aren't aftermarket they're production GM -evil grin-

 

i wouldnt waste the money on the 305 TPI heads...look at the TOTW someone asked about them and supposedly even with port and polish youd only pickup 10-15hp...heads are the power makers so dont skip on them...the stock TBI is good to about 300hp which most people will never see with there 305 TBIs

:::edit::: seems funny to me that everyone thinks TPI makes SOOO much more power than the TBI....well hell they got better heads and a better cam....of course they make more power

 

I know that alot of people think that the 305 tpi heads are not much better than the LO3's. And....compared to most aftermarket heads they are correct. But....consider this.... the thirdgen cars at this site www.asedan.com have to run these heads by rules. (one of the these two heads 081 tpi or 416 l69) And they get well over 300 hp from these with a performer rpm intake, max lift cam of.480 and a 6xx cfm carb. They do have some promise for cheap.

A 300 hp engine is not near of the top of these engines by the way. I have seen some that have 380 hp and 420 tq advertised for sale there.

Just something to think about especially when they are so cheap. Just don't sink alot of cash in them when you can get something like the worlds or Vortec's for less than a fortune

 

I don't plan on doing much anything to the heads. Just make sure nothing looks worn out, clean them up a bit, and bolt them on. Remember, budget is the key word hear, and my expected HP is also my target. I'm not looking to run max numbers, I'm just looking to add some power without going crazy. I'd like to go all out, but cost, ease of installation, reliability, and not having to do ECM tuning are the main priorities. Like I said, all I'm really shooting for is about 230 HP. More would be nice, but I want it to be at least that much. I'd also like to keep its powerband out of the stratosphere, with HP peaking around 5000-5500 RPMs. This setup just seems like a good cost effective way to get what I want.

 

Heyyy 305 TPI's werent the only engines to get the good heads. I pulled a set of heads off an LG4 and they were the same casting # as the "supposed high output" Tuned Port heads.

 

hrdrocka4305... i spent over 3000 and when i dynoed it i got 173 horse....headers, full rollers, .440 lift cam, titanium springs/retainers, bored it out, decked the block, etc.... 240 horse isnt as easy as people think of im just ding something terribly wrong.

 

With a little bigger budget you might be able to.

Instead of TPI heads look into either aluminum L98, vortech, or aftermarket heads. Look around any of these will make more power and the aluminum will help reduce weight and improve the power to weight ratio. Of course with a full port and polish job.

Match the heads with a performer rpm or air gap intake.($100-200) 600 cfm edelbrock($200) or Holley 2bl TB($300). A cam matched to above combo ($100-200). Headers and y-pipe($200-400). After cat exhaust($150-400+) or custom duals.

Finish it off with a shift kit and a 3.73 posi and 14's are possible. Just choose your componets carefully for price, power potential and powerband.

All this will cost you nearly $2000 but if tuned properly will deleiver.

Also check this guy out http://www.goingfaster.com/spo/modthel03.html skip the over praise and hype of the TB and check out the builds on the site.


Just my 2 cents

 

"All this will cost you nearly $2000 but if tuned properly will deleiver"

See, thats the thing. I'm trying to spend about half of that. I only work about 17 hours a week on average and don't have a ton of free time either with school. I'll be lucky to get my headers and subframes done this summer.

I'm actually thinking about buying an escort to have be my stable reliable car (and cheap, he's my bud he'll cut me a deal) and just yank the TBI all together and get a wild motor with a carb. Camrs89's car is now running, and pushing an estimated ~400 HP on an engine that only cost him $1200. I'd be spending at least that for only a little more than half that HP at the most.
I dunno, I change my mind every couple weeks.