Hey guys my heads hurtin from thinking about what platform I should go with when I go to buy a car soon.

Right now I'm debating between 305 and 350. I know the 350 is going to make me a lot more power but I really want a manual... I even thought about getting a fox stang for a little bit, and a couple of buddies were bout to shoot me haha.

Anyways, is it possible to get into the 12's without touching the shortblock and staying all motor without going crazy with a drag suspension setup? Or is that bore just not gonna let that happen... I'd probably end up building a 327 or 350 later on but that wouldn't be for a while... My primary emphasis is on performance and as long as its street legal and passes California smog I'll be fine with it.

So any opinions/advice? I'd be happy for a while if I could get the 305 into the 13's. But I don't want to sink money into a motor that is going to max out there.. Anyways I appreciate it guys.

 

Since performance seems to be your priority, to me, it seems that starting with a 350 car would be smarter in the performance vs. $$ category.

If you want a manual, swap it in. I did... and it's very straightforward. I did a complete changeover to a World Class T5, and I did for less than $600. You can't even get all the GOOD parts to rebuild an automatic for that price, and that's with you doing all the labor.

T56 prices are coming down, in fact Liberty sells a BRAND NEW T56 for right at $1800.

Also, this opens up your choices when car shopping... you could include 350 cars that are nice otherwise, but maybe need tranny work, and that means a lower starting price for your project.

On the otherhand, it would be just as easy to build a 350 or bigger engine to swap into a 305 / 5 speed car, but I think the initial cash outlay would be a bit higher.

Or look around and see if you can find a 3rd gen that's already been modified. I've run across several for sale recently, just on this site.


HTH

 

I've seen some people getting decent power out of the 305 though, I don't necessarily mind the engine at all as long as I can make it decent without touching the short block. Staying all motor what do you think is doable from the 305 keeping smog in mind?

 

Depends how much you want to spend.

With the right heads, cam , and porting the intake, plenum, and all the other tweaks, including headers, exhaust, good gear, posi, decent traction, I'd say 13's shouldn't be an issue.

Then there is always the bottle


HTH