Nasty_Bird_'90

I found a caprice in the junkyard today that had a TBI smallblock of somesort. Centebolt valve covers. Did they come with 350's or is this just another 305? How can i tell? I looked on the back of the block for the number, but i couldn't see it. thanx

TPI Guy

What year? I was under the impression that most all caprices in the 80's were 305's, except for the cop cars ... Don't buy a 305!

Nasty_Bird_'90

It looked to be an early 90's. You know, the more rounded body lines. Trust me, i know where a 305 will get me. . Good little motor though, just not too fast. They'll run forever.

BPA

also some of the wagon caprices came with 350s besides the cop cars not sure if all wagons did or just some

flyway190

Try taking the VIN number from the Caprice and putting it into ACDelco's website. Some 91-93 Caprice's did indeed have 350 TBI engines.

TPIterror

Hey TPI guy..if you're referring to all 305's your sadly mistaken. Certain 305 TPI combinations will run extremely well. I've run 14.0 with my 5.0 TPI Formula 5spd with less modifications than your 355. There's also plenty of TBI and 4bbl guys who have manged to break into the 14's and even 13's.

All I'm trying to say, is not to discourage people from getting a 305 if thats what they can afford and not to make people who already have them feel slighted. After all most 3rd gens ARE 305s.

TPI Guy

My point is, when dealing with a 305 ... why spend money on it. It's not fast, it doesn't get good gas mileage, it doesn't do anything well, except take up space in junk yards.

I'm sure some 305 combinations do run extremely well. I'm also sure most 350 combinations run much better. If you can show me a 305 that beat a 350 with identical components, I will listen to what you have to say, but the fact remains that when rebuilding an engine, a 350 will cost less than a 305, so why waste your money on something that will put out less power?!

black83z

whapshhhh
(i dont know how to spell the whipping sound)

TPIterror

Yeah right..whapshhhh.

So by your rational, anybody(most 3rd gen owners) who have 305s should not waste any money on them and should instead replace them with a 350. Are you for real?

There are many 305s that are fast stock, running on the mid-upper 14 second range. With minimal mods, these cars can run a ½ second or more faster. I’d say that’s pretty fast. Alright, a 350 TPI auto will be mod for mod 2 tenths faster than a 305 TPI 5spd, but is that really such a big difference? If your looking for a drag car to run in the 11-12 second range then yes, a worked 350 auto combination will be a better bet. But for most of the people on this board just looking to have a fast street/track car, the 305 is a good choice.

Take my car for example. I’m running stock heads, cam, and gears and I’ve run 14.0 @almost 99mph on street tires…and my car weighs 3625 with me in it. You’ve got a highly modded 355 and you aren’t running much faster. So that in itself dispels your theory. I just don’t think you’re informed enough on the performance of these cars.

And since when is gas mileage such a huge consideration? If I cared so much about that, I’d buy a Hyundai.

Nasty_Bird_'90

Hey now, my daily driver is my bird and i always consider mileage when i am choosing mod to do. I have an L98 on the stand now and mileage is one of my biggest concerns. Thats why i'm having a hard time choosing a cam. Sure its not the best motor, but the L03 will run forever it seems and is a durable little engine. I just want that seat of the pants feel of the torque of the 350

flyway190

Did you try the VIN number?

Ward

iTrader: (1)

If you can see the casting number on the back of the block, write it down, then look it up on the internet. THats probably the easiest way to tell. The casting number should be oon the back of the block, where the bellhousing mounts, on one of the vertical surfaces (The part that sticks out for the bellhousing to bolt to).

flyway190

On my L05 it says "5.7 Liter" on the driver's side on the back of the block, and the casting number is 10243880 on the passenger side closer to the top.

Sitting Bull

And a 305 with the same mods as a 350 HAS to get better mileage than the 350 (unless the 305 is out of tune). It's the laws of physics.

Riley's35089rs+

One Tenth is all it takes to win............"One tenth at a time"

TPIterror

One Tenth is all it takes to win............"One tenth at a time"[B]

And one tenth is what I beat many 350s by.

Riley's35089rs+

Guess thats where the Driver variable comes in...side by side on a dyno..with the same $$$ invested, Who is gonna win ?

BigL350

Go to the back of the block behind the drivers side cylinder head with a flashlight, a wire brush and a can of brake parts cleaner and you will either see 5.7 or 5.0 and you will know for sure. As far as modding a 5.0, I see nother wring with that. I know there are a lot of people with really fast 5.0's on this board. I just think if you're going to buy another block to rebuild and put in your car, it would be pointless to get a 5.0 when you can find a 5.7 just as easily. Why go through all the trouble of a performance rebuild on a 5.0? I really never understood the stroker 331's either.

TPI Guy

You: "So by your rational, anybody(most 3rd gen owners) who have 305s should not waste any money on them and should instead replace them with a 350. Are you for real?"

Me: Yes

You: "Take my car for example. I’m running stock heads, cam, and gears and I’ve run 14.0 @almost 99mph on street tires…and my car weighs 3625 with me in it. You’ve got a highly modded 355 and you aren’t running much faster. So that in itself dispels your theory. I just don’t think you’re informed enough on the performance of these cars."

Me: I run better than 3 mph's better than your 305. I refuse to use slicks or drag radials. I had a transmission with a 2.40 1st gear and a 3.08 rear. I have wicked axle hop shifting into second, and I still would have beat you, that's my point. Cars come out of the factory performing much better than they did 30 years ago.