Bang for buck.

Should I have my 305 with 183k miles rebuild with high performance parts, new cam, etc. etc. or should I swap a 350 in it? I know a lot of you are going to scream 350 but my grandfather (who races Vettes ) insists that I should have my 305 TPI rebuilt. Gimme some suggestions, pros/cons, etc. He knows someone (who is currently working on my grandfather's 63 Corvette split-window, :: drool :: ) that would be able to do pretty much whatever I wanted. I tell him what I want installed and he'll do it, and he can be trusted. I'd much rather have him do it over some shop I don't know. I'm looking for what would be best for the money. I don't need a 900HP monster, I just want something that I can take to the track and have fun with. Still will be street driven though. If I rebuild, what kind of parts should I have installed (cam, etc.) so that I have room to build on it and increase power with addons without having to worry about tearing the thing apart?

Thanks

(P.S.- I would have posted this in the Motor Swap forum, but obviously, they're the ones who would swap, so I need a more unbiased opinion. )

 

I say do a 350 ONLY because you are stuck rebuilding the 305. It has been shown quite convincingly by board members that it is economically better to stick with the 305 as long as you have a good short block.

But since your short block requires work, it is much better money-wise to rebuild a 350 junkyard block.

Your grandfather probably wants you to learn to race with a smaller engine until he is satisfied you have the experience not to harm yourself.

 

What says there is anything wrong with my block?

Nah, I don't think that's the deal with my Grandfather, we were also discussing what things we could do to increase the horsepower on the thing. I think he's looking more for reliability, ie he feels more comfortable with a rebuilt engine from a guy he trusts as opposed to a used engine which we have no idea what kind of abuse it has taken.

 

How much are you looking to spend? I would say look into some crate 350s, but that's just me. I got my 350 with a 3yr/50k mile warranty. Though it needs a cam swap bad, the stock one is horrible. I only paid $1290 for it delivered.

 

hey Mark, where did you find a crate 350 for that little? Was it used? I could use one for that cheap.

 

No, it wasn't used. Everything is new on it. I believe i got it from www.greenwoodchevy.com just look for the GM Goodwrench. I must warn you though the cam in it must be changed if you want speed. It has a 390/410 lift and stops power at 3500 rpms. I was recommended the Comp 268XE for it.

 

wow those are nice prices. You got the universal one? It says pre '85 though. What would be good for me?

 

What the pre 85 means, is it is a one piece rear seal I believe. All I had to do was get a different flywheel and it works.

 

Pre-'85 means two-piece rear main seal, actually. And "straight" intake manifold bolts.

You said you were going to rebuild the 305. That typically means bore cylinders, new pistons & rings, turn crank, new bearings. Perhaps that isn't what you meant.

I agree with SB, if you DO rebuild a shortblock, don't do it on a 305. However, you can get a good bang-for-buck, hard-running 305 without touching the shortblock if it's in good shape. See sig for what I mean.

 

I always get that mixed up.

 

Wow, I'm actually surprised, I figured more people would say rebuild than just one.

 

Straight manifold intake bolts were 1987. I'm sure you know this, just trying to not confuse someone who doesnt know.