My question is this. My target horsepower is around 400 for the moment. Which is the cheapest or easiest way to do this.

Build up the 305 TPI I have now?
Buy and build up a 350.
I know the 350 makes more power but if I convert to serpentine I can use a ATI pro charger on either engine.

My thinking is that I can build up my 305 for less than I can buy and build a 350 for and the Supercharger cost would be the same. Unless I can hit my target horsepower of 400HP without the power adder on the 350 for less than the cost of building up either engine and adding the supercharger.

Mostly it is a cost factor for me. Also I don't have the tools to install a new engine. Much of the work I will have to pay someone else to do over a period of time.

Also I do have to keep this car emissions legal. Which means I have to have some kind if fuel injection.

So no ******* the 305 just because it's not a 350. All I want to do is make the most power with the least effort. I think that I can install a supercharger easier than I can do an engine swap.

I am still learning so if I have something wrong here let me know.
It is my understanding that the most you can really make out of a 305 is about 300HP. And I know you can get more out of a 350, but I just want to know what is the best road to my target HP. Thanks.

 

Buy and build a 350, with 400hp as your "current" goal, I wouldn't bother with the 305 and go straight for the 350, or larger. You will save more money in the end and have more potential for later.

 

The 305's bore (3.75" i think) is far too small to be able to breathe well enough to make 400hp. The 4" bore of the 350 is MUCH better breathing... better breathing = more power.

 

yea, for 400 hp a 350 will be better....

 

If you waste your money on a 305, you'll kick yourself in the posterior for the rest of your life when you wake up and realize (too late) that for a total of about $50 additional on the entire multi-thousand $$$ project, you could have had 15% more power than however much you got out of the 305.

It's the cheapest power you can buy. If you have to touch the short block, change to a 350.

 

i used to be one of those "im gonna build up my 305 and make it fast..." and while it is possible, a 350 is a much more economical way to go...

 

All I have to say is 350

 

Well, why does it have to be 400HP?? The question is what do you want to run?? The 350 is better I agree. And cheaper too, you can build a 305 but it depends on what you really wanna do.

 

i would deffinately go with the 350, but check around for crate motors, you can probably get a built 400 hp crate motor for cheaper than you can build one, of course you dont have the pride of knowing you built the motor.

 

I am not sold on the idea of building it myself. I don't care about that. I just want to get the most for my money. Seriously I don't need 400HP. What I want to do is keep up with or outrun a stock LS1. I know it's hard to do. I know it will take some serious work to accomplish the goal.

I have been checking in the used areas and on Ebay for engines to work with.

Every new crate motor I have found that would put out 300+HP seems to be over 3K. Which I think is a bit much. According to Texas law I have to keep fuel injection for emissions compliance.

Many of the used engines I have seen that I could get cheaply and build up myself are older engine blocks that wouldn't be compatible with my emissions equipment.

It just seemed to me that building up the 305 and adding a supercharger would yield the results I am looking for and be easier to do than building a strong 350.

 

You could do that too, look at Willie. Build the engine right with the S/C and you should get good results but it won't be like a 350.

 

Alright then let me ask this question. What would the difference between the two setups if thier horsepower was about the same when it was all over with? Would one favor acceleration over top end? Would one setup be better for torque than another?